Undernourishment in Central Asia falls fivefold – UN report

Over the past two decades, the level of undernourishment in Central Asia has decreased more than fivefold, dropping from 13.1 percent in 2005 to 2.8 percent in 2024. This is stated in a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

According to the report, the most significant reduction in hunger occurred before 2019. However, this progress was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2020–2021, the number of people suffering from hunger in the region rose to 2.5 million.

Despite this setback, the region has since regained positive momentum, thanks to renewed food security policies and economic recovery. Compared to global trends, Central Asia has shown more stable progress. Globally, the rate of undernourishment fell from 12 percent in 2005 to 8.2 percent by 2023.

The average daily cost of a healthy diet in Central Asia, based on purchasing power parity, was $3.78 per person in 2024. An analysis of the past six years shows a steady increase: from $3.10 in 2019 to $3.81 in 2023. However, 2024 saw a slight decrease to $3.78.

Still, a healthy diet remains out of reach for 14 percent of the region's population, or approximately 11.5 million people. This figure is gradually improving, down from 14.5 million in 2020.

Child nutrition indicators have also improved significantly over the past 12 years. The rate of stunting among children under the age of five dropped from 14.8 percent in 2012 to 7.4 percent in 2024. Wasting, or acute malnutrition, declined from 3.8 percent to 2.1 percent in the same period.

However, the report also highlights persistent challenges. The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age remains nearly unchanged—32.3 percent in 2012 compared to 32 percent in 2023. This indicates ongoing deficiencies in iron and other essential micronutrients, particularly among pregnant women.

It should be noted that Uzbekistan was previously recognized as the regional leader in food security, achieving the highest score in Central Asia between 2021 and 2023, with a rating of 21 points.