The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is raising serious concerns far beyond the region, with global experts warning that millions more people could soon face hunger as economic pressures intensify
Speaking during international financial meetings in Washington, World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill cautioned that the situation could quickly worsen.
Already, around 300 million people worldwide are struggling with severe food insecurity.
That number, he warned, could rise by as much as 20 percent in a short period if the crisis continues
At the center of the concern is the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil supply routes.
When oil supply is threatened, prices rise—and this has a ripple effect.
Fertilizers, which depend heavily on oil-based inputs, have already become more expensive.
For farmers, this means higher production costs, which often translate into higher food prices for consumers
But the danger does not stop there
As prices climb, countries may begin restricting food exports to protect their own populations.
While this may seem logical from a national perspective, it can worsen shortages globally.
Gill expressed deep concern over such moves, noting that export bans could significantly accelerate a global food crisis
The most vulnerable populations are those living in countries already affected by conflict or weak governance.
In such places, even small economic shocks can have devastating consequences.
If the situation is not resolved soon, hunger could spread rapidly in these regions
At present, the full impact has not yet been felt because much of the food currently available was produced before the crisis escalated.
However, the real effects are expected to emerge in the coming months as supply chains tighten and production costs increase
The crisis is already being felt in parts of Asia, but experts warn that Africa could be next.
As the situation drags on, the economic strain is likely to spread quickly across continents.
Another major concern is inflation.
Low-income households, which spend a larger portion of their income on food and fuel, are especially at risk.
Rising prices in these essential areas could hit them the hardest.
In a worst-case scenario, global inflation could climb from around 3 percent to nearly 4,7 percent this year
At the same time, global economic growth could slow sharply.
Gill warned that growth might drop by as much as 40 percent on an annual basis if the conflict persists.
This combination of rising prices and slowing growth creates a “double burden” for poorer nations, making it harder for them to manage debt and respond to future crises
He also pointed out that global economic figures can sometimes be misleading.
Large economies like the United States, China, and India often make overall growth appear stronger than it really is.
When these are excluded, deeper vulnerabilities in smaller and more fragile economies become clear.
As the crisis continues, what once seemed like an extreme scenario is becoming increasingly possible.
Each passing day without resolution brings the world closer to a situation where hunger, inflation, and economic instability could affect millions more
Credit: AFP.
