Economic Toll of Malnutrition in Pakistan Hits $17 Billion Annually

Pakistan is losing an alarming $17 billion (Rs 4.73 trillion) every year due to the ongoing malnutrition crisis, with the economic burden amounting to 4.6% of the country’s Gross National Income (GNI), according to a recent report by Nutrition International (NI).
The report highlights the severity of undernutrition in Pakistan and identifies four key indicators: stunting, low birth weight, childhood anemia, and anemia in adolescent women and girls, which together paint a bleak picture of the nation’s public health and its economic consequences.
Stunting is the most significant contributor to this crisis, affecting 34% of children under the age of five. This condition impedes physical and cognitive development, resulting in a loss of 21 million IQ points and 3.3 million school years annually. Despite various interventions, the prevalence of stunting in Pakistan remains alarmingly high, and the country now ranks 18th globally with the highest rate of stunting in South Asia.
Additionally, the report reveals that 22% of newborns in Pakistan are born with low birth weight, and 53% of children aged 6-59 months suffer from anemia. These nutritional deficiencies lead to cognitive losses, increased school dropouts, and reduced productivity in the workforce.
The economic consequences are severe. Stunting alone costs the nation $16 billion annually, or 4.2% of its GNI, making it one of the leading contributors to Pakistan’s economic struggles. The rising number of stunted children—over 10 million affected, with 2 million new cases reported each year—has far-reaching consequences for the country’s future development.
While efforts to combat malnutrition continue, the report calls for urgent and comprehensive measures to address these critical issues. It stresses the need to meet the World Health Assembly’s target of reducing stunting by 40% by 2025.
Experts warn that unless immediate steps are taken to improve nutrition and health outcomes, the country will continue to suffer significant economic losses that hinder its potential for growth and development.