Prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Prevalence of undernourishment was 20.7% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries, 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
Least developed countries recorded 20.7% for prevalence of undernourishment in 2023.
That represents a change of down 0.2% on the previous year and up 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries peaked at 30.3% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 18.9%, in 2014.
Least developed countries ranks 8th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 30.3% | — |
| 2002 | 29.2% | -3.7% |
| 2003 | 28.2% | -3.6% |
| 2004 | 26.9% | -4.5% |
| 2005 | 25.6% | -4.9% |
| 2006 | 24.2% | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 23.0% | -5.0% |
| 2008 | 21.9% | -4.7% |
| 2009 | 21.1% | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 20.6% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 20.2% | -1.7% |
| 2012 | 19.9% | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 19.2% | -3.9% |
| 2014 | 18.9% | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 19.2% | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 19.3% | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 19.3% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 19.3% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 19.6% | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 20.2% | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 20.2% | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 20.7% | +2.7% |
| 2023 | 20.7% | -0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 25.6% | 21.1% | 30.3% | 9 |
| 2010s | 19.6% | 18.9% | 20.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.4% | 20.2% | 20.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 5 Syrian Arab Republic 39.0% compare
- 6 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 38.5% compare
- 7 Zambia 37.2% compare
- 8 Kenya 36.8% compare
- 9 Liberia 35.5% compare
- 10 Chad 32.0% compare
- 11 Central African Republic 29.8% compare
More health data for Least developed countries
- Population ages 60-64, male, annual growth rate 3.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, female, annual growth rate 3.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per capita 0.0099 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 55-59, male, per capita 0.0127 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, annual growth rate 3.19 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, female, per capita 0.0084 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per capita 0.011 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Least developed countries was 20.7% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 30.3% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.9% in 2014.
- How does Least developed countries rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Least developed countries ranks 8th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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%.