Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Iran
Iran: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 6.7% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of undernourishment in Iran, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence of undernourishment in Iran stood at 6.7%.
That represents a change of down 11.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Iran peaked at 9.5% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 4.9%, in 2001.
Iran ranks 70th of 171 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Iran, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4.9% | — |
| 2002 | 5.2% | +6.1% |
| 2003 | 5.5% | +5.8% |
| 2004 | 5.9% | +7.3% |
| 2005 | 6.4% | +8.5% |
| 2006 | 6.9% | +7.8% |
| 2007 | 7.4% | +7.2% |
| 2008 | 7.9% | +6.8% |
| 2009 | 8.4% | +6.3% |
| 2010 | 9.4% | +11.9% |
| 2011 | 9.5% | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 9.2% | -3.2% |
| 2013 | 8.0% | -13.0% |
| 2014 | 7.6% | -5.0% |
| 2015 | 7.4% | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 7.7% | +4.1% |
| 2017 | 8.0% | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 8.0% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 7.7% | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 6.9% | -10.4% |
| 2021 | 6.8% | -1.4% |
| 2022 | 6.6% | -2.9% |
| 2023 | 6.7% | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 6.7% | +0.0% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 6.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.1%, 1.6× the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Iran's 6.7% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 7.1%, 94% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.5% | 4.9% | 8.4% | 9 |
| 2010s | 8.2% | 7.4% | 9.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 6.6% | 6.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More health data for Iran
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.38 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.5627 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 1,070 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.88 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0311 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0327 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Iran?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Iran was 6.7% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 9.5% in 2011.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.9% in 2001.
- How does Iran rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Iran ranks 70th out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iran 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%.