- Pakistan ranks 109th in 2024 Global Hunger Index, highlighting persistent food insecurity and malnutrition challenges
Despite some progress, the nutrition and hunger situation in Pakistan remains dire. Ranked 109th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, Pakistan also faces significant vulnerability to climate change, being the 8th most at-risk country globally. The unprecedented floods of 2022 highlight the severe challenges posed by climate change. Hunger statistics reveal a troubling trend: in 2021, the hunger rate stood at 18.5%, marking a 2.5% increase from 2020. The year 2020 recorded a rate of 16.0%, up by 2.9% from 2019, which itself saw a 13.1% rate, rising by 2.1% from 2018. This continuous increase underlines the worsening food insecurity situation.
Adding to the gravity, a report submitted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Development to the National Assembly noted that about 24.3% of the population — equivalent to 55 million people — live below the poverty line.
Pakistan’s Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.544 places it at 161 out of 192 countries as of 2022. Furthermore, the country’s Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate is alarmingly high at 17.7%, exceeding the emergency threshold. While Pakistan is self-sufficient in key staple crops — ranking 8th in wheat production, 10th in rice, 5th in sugarcane, and 4th in milk — only 63.1% of households are food secure, according to the Ministry of Health and UNICEF’s National Nutritional Survey of 2018.
Food insecurity in Pakistan stems from multiple interlinked factors. Chronic poverty and low wages hinder many from accessing adequate food. Economic shocks, such as inflation and unemployment, further exacerbate the situation, making food unaffordable for a large portion of the population. Climate change has introduced additional challenges, with long-term shifts in weather patterns reducing agricultural productivity and increasing the frequency of natural disasters like floods. Disasters of this nature damage crops and disrupt food supply chains, compounding the challenges posed by economic and political instability.
Moreover, factors such as limited arable land, insufficient irrigation water, technological barriers in farming, and rapid population growth further undermine food security.
Multi-faceted approach
The impacts of food insecurity are profound and multifaceted. Socially, over 20% of Pakistan’s population is undernourished, and nearly 45% of children under five suffer from stunted growth. The lack of adequate food also contributes to civil unrest, as communities struggle to meet their basic needs. Environmental consequences include soil erosion and water pollution, as mismanagement of natural resources intensifies under the pressures of food scarcity.
Economically, food insecurity drives up food prices, making access even more difficult, while increased agricultural costs further strain the economy.
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as providing farmers with seeds, tools, and training, can enhance food production. Technological innovations can play a crucial role in improving food distribution systems and minimizing post-harvest losses.
Supportive government policies must be implemented to ensure food security, while community engagement is essential for fostering local-level solutions. Improving supply chains by addressing hygiene and logistical issues can also significantly reduce food wastage.
Adopting a “One Health” approach that considers human, animal, and environmental health risks together can provide a holistic framework for tackling food insecurity.
Climate change, conflicts, water scarcity, land degradation, pests, and pandemics all pose significant challenges to achieving food security.
Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns disrupt agriculture, while conflicts and pandemics destabilize global and local food supply chains. Economic barriers, such as high food prices, disproportionately affect marginalized groups, with gender disparities further limiting access to food for women and children.
Food security, defined as the availability of safe and nutritious food to meet people’s dietary needs, is essential for Pakistan’s social and economic stability. Combating food insecurity requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors, with local, national, and international stakeholders working together to create sustainable solutions.
Writer is student at University of Sargodha. He can be approached at azamtariqalihaider@gmail.com