The United Nations says that more than one billion people across the globe are now suffering from hunger.

Aggravated by the global financial crisis, and persistently high food prices, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), says the figure is a record high.

With one-sixth of the world's population going hungry, the FAO director general said the level poses a “serious risk” to world peace and security.

More than half--642 million people-- are residing in the Asia-Pacific region, with 265 million living in sub-Saharan African countries. Only 15 million live in developed countries, according to the agency.

As the BBC reports, although the increase has been widely blamed on lower incomes and increased unemployment, it stands in contrast to evidence that the developed world is now richer than ever before.

"It's the first time in human history that we have so many hungry people in the world," said FAO spokesman Kostas Stamoulis.

"And that's a contradiction, because a lot of the world is very rich despite the economic crisis."