Prevalence of undernourishment in India
India: Prevalence of undernourishment was 12.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in India, 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in India is 12.0%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 11.1% on the previous year and down 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in India peaked at 21.7% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 10.5%, in 2018.
That places India 49th out of 168 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment in India, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18.1% | — |
| 2002 | 19.7% | +8.8% |
| 2003 | 21.2% | +7.6% |
| 2004 | 21.7% | +2.4% |
| 2005 | 21.1% | -2.8% |
| 2006 | 18.9% | -10.4% |
| 2007 | 16.6% | -12.2% |
| 2008 | 15.3% | -7.8% |
| 2009 | 15.0% | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 14.6% | -2.7% |
| 2011 | 14.2% | -2.7% |
| 2012 | 13.4% | -5.6% |
| 2013 | 12.8% | -4.5% |
| 2014 | 12.6% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 12.1% | -4.0% |
| 2016 | 11.6% | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 10.6% | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 10.5% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 11.8% | +12.4% |
| 2020 | 13.4% | +13.6% |
| 2021 | 14.3% | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 13.5% | -5.6% |
| 2023 | 12.0% | -11.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.6% | 15.0% | 21.7% | 9 |
| 2010s | 12.4% | 10.5% | 14.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.3% | 12.0% | 14.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
More health data for India
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.4372 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,332 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 44,822 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 30-34, female, annual growth rate 0.7428 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per capita 0.0391 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, annual growth rate 1.02 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0427 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in India?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in India was 12.0% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 21.7% in 2004.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.5% in 2018.
- How does India rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- India ranks 49th out of 168 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.