This study provides numerical estimates of yield losses caused by 137 pathogens and pests on five major food crops—wheat, rice, maize, potato, and soybean—worldwide. The results show that global yield losses range from 17% to 23%, with rice experiencing the highest loss at 30%. These estimates are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that crop losses due to pathogens and pests have remained relatively stable over time. The study highlights significant variations in crop losses across different food security hotspots, with higher losses observed in food-insecure regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), and lower losses in regions with high production and surplus, such as the United States Midwest (USM&C) and South Brazil (SB&A). The analysis also identifies specific pathogens and pests that cause the highest losses, including wheat blast, fall armyworm, and soybean rust. These findings emphasize the need for targeted crop health management strategies to improve the sustainability of agroecosystems. The study underscores the importance of considering the complex interactions between crop health, production situations, and climate in managing pests and pathogens. The results provide a critical basis for prioritizing research and policy efforts to address the challenges posed by crop pests and pathogens. The methodology involved an expert-based survey of crop health experts, which generated comprehensive data on the impact of pathogens and pests on major food crops. The study also highlights the need for further research and long-term solutions to manage emerging pests and pathogens, particularly in food-insecure regions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the global burden of crop pests and pathogens, and their impact on food security.This study provides numerical estimates of yield losses caused by 137 pathogens and pests on five major food crops—wheat, rice, maize, potato, and soybean—worldwide. The results show that global yield losses range from 17% to 23%, with rice experiencing the highest loss at 30%. These estimates are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that crop losses due to pathogens and pests have remained relatively stable over time. The study highlights significant variations in crop losses across different food security hotspots, with higher losses observed in food-insecure regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), and lower losses in regions with high production and surplus, such as the United States Midwest (USM&C) and South Brazil (SB&A). The analysis also identifies specific pathogens and pests that cause the highest losses, including wheat blast, fall armyworm, and soybean rust. These findings emphasize the need for targeted crop health management strategies to improve the sustainability of agroecosystems. The study underscores the importance of considering the complex interactions between crop health, production situations, and climate in managing pests and pathogens. The results provide a critical basis for prioritizing research and policy efforts to address the challenges posed by crop pests and pathogens. The methodology involved an expert-based survey of crop health experts, which generated comprehensive data on the impact of pathogens and pests on major food crops. The study also highlights the need for further research and long-term solutions to manage emerging pests and pathogens, particularly in food-insecure regions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the global burden of crop pests and pathogens, and their impact on food security.