Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal

Nepal: Prevalence of undernourishment was 5.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
5.3%
Change on year
down 1.9%
World rank
83rd
of 168 countries
All-time high
23.7%
in 2001
All-time low
4.5%
in 2018
Years of data
23
2001–2023

Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal, 2001–2023

5101520252001201220232001: 23.7 % of population2002: 22 % of population2003: 20 % of population2004: 17.8 % of population2005: 16.9 % of population2006: 16 % of population2007: 14.9 % of population2008: 13.1 % of population2009: 11.7 % of population2010: 10.8 % of population2011: 10.1 % of population2012: 9.4 % of population2013: 8.7 % of population2014: 8.2 % of population2015: 7.1 % of population2016: 5.9 % of population2017: 4.9 % of population2018: 4.5 % of population2019: 4.6 % of population2020: 5 % of population2021: 5.2 % of population2022: 5.4 % of population2023: 5.3 % of population

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 5.3%, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and down 39.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal peaked at 23.7% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.5%, in 2018.

Nepal ranks 83rd of 168 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 in Nepal, year by year

Annual values for Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Nepal, 2001 to 2023.
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 10.1% -6.5%
2012 9.4% -6.9%
2013 8.7% -7.4%
2014 8.2% -5.7%
2015 7.1% -13.4%
2016 5.9% -16.9%
2017 4.9% -16.9%
2018 4.5% -8.2%
2019 4.6% +2.2%
2020 5.0% +8.7%
2021 5.2% +4.0%
2022 5.4% +3.8%
2023 5.3% -1.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 17.3% 11.7% 23.7% 9
2010s 7.4% 4.5% 10.8% 10
2020s 5.2% 5.0% 5.4% 4

Countries ranked near Nepal

  1. 80 Panama 5.7% compare
  2. 81 Albania 5.4% compare
  3. 81 Myanmar 5.4% compare
  4. 83 Viet Nam 5.3% compare
  5. 85 Cambodia 5.2% compare
  6. 85 Paraguay 5.2% compare

See the full ranking of 215 places →

More health data for Nepal

All data for Nepal →

Frequently asked questions

What is prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal?
Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal was 5.3% in 2023, 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 4.5% in 2018.
How does Nepal rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
Nepal ranks 83rd out of 168 countries with data for 2023.
Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Nepal?
Over the last ten years it is down 39.1%. 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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Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/prevalence-of-undernourishment-percent-of-population/nepal/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population)
Unit
% of population
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
215 places, 4,908 data points, 2001–2023
Last refreshed

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%.