The aim of the paper was to isolate, from countries where there is the biggest problem of malnutrition, groups which are similar according to the food situation. The research was based on the data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The analysis covered 115 countries, where according to the FAO there is the highest level of malnutrition. The method of comparative analysis was used in the research and the process of grouping of countries according to the determinants of food situation was conducted with the use of cluster analysis. The research applied to the period 2012-2014. The typology of the countries let us to identify the most important factors determining the food situation in each cluster. There are historical events, national wealth or poverty which was accumulated over the time, natural conditions, as well as cultural and political conditions. Examples of relatively rich countries, where the malnutrition problem also appears, indicate the importance of income inequality.