Prevalence of undernourishment in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Prevalence of undernourishment was 11.7% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) recorded 11.7% for prevalence of undernourishment in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.0% on the previous year and down 10.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) peaked at 20.8% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 10.5%, in 2018.
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 18th of 47 groups on this measure, 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 South Asia (IDA & IBRD), year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 17.9% | — |
| 2002 | 19.1% | +6.9% |
| 2003 | 20.4% | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 20.8% | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 20.3% | -2.4% |
| 2006 | 18.4% | -9.3% |
| 2007 | 16.4% | -10.6% |
| 2008 | 15.4% | -6.6% |
| 2009 | 15.2% | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 14.9% | -2.1% |
| 2011 | 14.5% | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 13.7% | -5.4% |
| 2013 | 13.1% | -4.4% |
| 2014 | 12.7% | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 12.2% | -4.0% |
| 2016 | 11.7% | -4.4% |
| 2017 | 10.7% | -8.3% |
| 2018 | 10.5% | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 11.5% | +9.5% |
| 2020 | 12.8% | +12.0% |
| 2021 | 13.6% | +5.8% |
| 2022 | 13.0% | -4.7% |
| 2023 | 11.7% | -10.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.2% | 15.2% | 20.8% | 9 |
| 2010s | 12.5% | 10.5% | 14.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.8% | 11.7% | 13.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
More health data for South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, female, per capita 0.0406 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 50-54, female, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, male, per capita 0.0305 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, male, annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, male, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per capita 0.029 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, annual growth rate 2.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, male, per capita 0.0444 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) was 11.7% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- The highest recorded value was 20.8% in 2004.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.5% in 2018.
- How does South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 18th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Asia (IDA & IBRD) 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.
Download this data
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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%.