Pakistan Faces $17 Billion Economic Loss Annually Due to Malnutrition Crisis
Pakistan is losing a staggering $17 billion (Rs 4.73 trillion) every year due to the ongoing malnutrition crisis, which constitutes a severe economic burden of 4.6% of the country’s Gross National Income (GNI), according to a recent report by Nutrition International (NI).
The report highlights the alarming extent of undernutrition in Pakistan, identifying four critical indicators that paint a grim picture of the nation’s public health crisis: stunting, low birth weight, childhood anemia, and anemia in adolescent women and girls.
Read More: Malnutrition is on the rise in Pakistan.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Stunting: Affects 34% of children under five, leading to 21 million IQ points lost and 3.3 million school years lost annually. Despite efforts, the country ranks 18th globally, with the highest stunting rate in South Asia.
- Low Birth Weight: 22% of newborns in Pakistan are born with low birth weight, contributing to further health complications.
- Childhood Anemia: 53% of children aged 6-59 months suffer from anemia, exacerbating cognitive and physical impairments.
These issues not only affect children’s development but also have long-term consequences, such as higher school dropout rates, reduced workforce productivity, and cognitive impairments that stifle the country’s potential.
Economic Toll of Malnutrition
The economic repercussions are dire. Stunting alone costs the nation $16 billion annually, or 4.2% of its GNI, making it a primary factor in Pakistan’s economic difficulties. The number of stunted children has reached over 10 million, with 2 million new cases reported each year, signaling a growing crisis that will continue to hinder Pakistan’s future development if not addressed.
Urgent Need for Action
The report stresses the importance of immediate and comprehensive efforts to tackle malnutrition. It urges Pakistan to meet the World Health Assembly’s target of reducing stunting by 40% by 2025.
Experts warn that without swift intervention to improve nutrition and health outcomes, Pakistan will continue to experience substantial economic losses that impede its potential for growth and development.
