Malnutrition Costs Pakistan $17 Billion Annually, Report Reveals
22% of newborns are born with low birth weight, report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing an alarming economic toll of $17 billion (Rs 4.73 trillion) every year due to the ongoing malnutrition crisis, which amounts to 4.6% of the country’s Gross National Income (GNI), according to a recent report by Nutrition International (NI).
The report highlights the severe impact of undernutrition in the country, pointing to four key indicators: stunting, low birth weight, childhood anemia, and anemia in adolescent women and girls. Stunting, in particular, stands out as the most significant issue, affecting 34% of children under the age of five. This condition not only hinders physical and cognitive development but also results in a loss of 21 million IQ points and 3.3 million school years each year. Despite various efforts, stunting rates in Pakistan remain alarmingly high, with the country ranking 18th globally for the highest rate of stunting in South Asia.
The report also reveals that 22% of newborns are born with low birth weight, and over half of children aged 6-59 months suffer from anemia. These deficiencies have far-reaching consequences, including cognitive losses, higher school dropout rates, and decreased productivity in the workforce.
Economically, stunting alone costs Pakistan $16 billion annually, or 4.2% of its GNI. With over 10 million children affected and two million new cases reported each year, the long-term developmental consequences are dire. Experts warn that without urgent action to improve nutrition and health outcomes, Pakistan’s growth potential will continue to be severely hampered.
The report calls for comprehensive measures to address the crisis and urges the government to meet the World Health Assembly’s target of reducing stunting by 40% by 2025.