Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Nepal
Nepal: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 5.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal is 5.2%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and down 35.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal peaked at 23.7% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.4%, in 2018.
Nepal ranks 82nd of 171 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Nepal, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 23.7% | — |
| 2002 | 22.0% | -7.2% |
| 2003 | 20.0% | -9.1% |
| 2004 | 17.8% | -11.0% |
| 2005 | 16.9% | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 16.0% | -5.3% |
| 2007 | 14.9% | -6.9% |
| 2008 | 13.1% | -12.1% |
| 2009 | 11.7% | -10.7% |
| 2010 | 10.8% | -7.7% |
| 2011 | 10.0% | -7.4% |
| 2012 | 9.3% | -7.0% |
| 2013 | 8.6% | -7.5% |
| 2014 | 8.1% | -5.8% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | -13.6% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | -17.1% |
| 2017 | 4.8% | -17.2% |
| 2018 | 4.4% | -8.3% |
| 2019 | 4.7% | +6.8% |
| 2020 | 5.2% | +10.6% |
| 2021 | 5.3% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 5.4% | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 5.3% | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 5.2% | -1.9% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 5.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.1%, 47% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.3% | 11.7% | 23.7% | 9 |
| 2010s | 7.3% | 4.4% | 10.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More health data for Nepal
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.95 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.8518 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 955 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 3 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.17 % 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 0.0451 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.11 % 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 0.0467 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal was 5.2% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 23.7% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.4% in 2018.
- How does Nepal rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Nepal ranks 82nd out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal 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%.