Most undernourished countries

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April 5, 2019
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Most undernourished countries

The facts may be hard to read, but understanding the vast reach of hunger on humanity is key to understanding many factors of today's global politics. , "815 million people鈥攐苍别 in ninestill go to bed on an empty stomach each night."

Using statistics from  and various other NGOs, 麻豆原创 compiled the 30 countries with the most severe undernourishment. For the analysis, 麻豆原创 referenced the Global Hunger Index, a scale of 0 (no hunger) to 100 (starving). A score of 50 or above is defined as "extremely alarming"; 3550 as "alarming"; 2035 as "serious"; 1020 as "moderate"; and under 10 as "low." Children's health is also a strong factor in ranking, taking into account children under the age of 5 who are underweight for their age (undernourished), underweight for their height (wasting), or too short for their age (stunted growth). Food accessibility, regional climates, and geopolitical factors are outlined for each country to help explain the state of malnourishment among affected populations.

Read on to learn about the challenges facing the most undernourished countries in the world. 

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#30. Malawi

- Global Hunger Index: 27.2
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 20.7% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 16.7% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 42.4% (2014)

Malawi has faced a hunger crisis for decades, largely blamed for lack of access to quality food. More recently, that drought and crop-eating armyworms caused Malawi鈥檚 maize output to decline by more than 19% in the 2017鈥18 farming year.

#29. Laos

- Global Hunger Index: 27.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 18.5% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 26.5% (2011)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 43.8% (2011)

Despite the fact that the percentage of hungry people in Laos  over the last decade, the small South East Asian country is still considered to be facing a serious food crisis. Laos鈥 issues with hunger have been attributed to its geography鈥攖he scattered and remote nature of thousands of small villages makes access to food very difficult. In addition, , families who subsist on this staple don鈥檛 have enough to nourish themselves.

#28. Burkina Faso

- Global Hunger Index: 27.6
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 20.7% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 26.2% (2010)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 35.1% (2010)

in Burkina Faso, located in an already-arid area under the Sahara Desert. On top of this, those who would normally receive food aid will be hard to reach as .

#27. North Korea

- Global Hunger Index: 28.2
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 41.6% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 15.2% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 27.9% (2012)

Last year, in North Korea, 鈥10.5 million people, or 41% of the total population, are undernourished.鈥 This is , and the many sanctions imposed by the rest of the world. Frequent flooding and drought have exacerbated the situation in the country, as well.  

#26. Guinea

- Global Hunger Index: 28.6
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 16.4% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 16.3% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 35.8% (2012)

Guinea is one of the smallest African nations, but enjoys the highest GDP per capita income on the continent. Famine and hunger still plague Guinea's residents, however. , the malnutrition issues and food insecurity were exacerbated by the devastating Ebola outbreak in 2014.

#25. Mali

- Global Hunger Index: 28.6
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 5.0% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 27.9% (2006)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 38.5% (2006)

in Mali have contributed to its serious state of malnutrition and hunger. The country would see drought every 10 to 15 years in previous decades; however, in the past decade alone. Since 75% of the country feeds itself on subsistence drops, citizens rely heavily on the weather to produce their food for the year. The country is also still suffering the effects of the .

#24. Tajikistan

- Global Hunger Index: 28.7
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 33.2% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 13.3% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 26.8% (2012)

Named the poorest former Soviet nation, Tajikistan faces a . , consistently harsh winters and climate change make it hard for the country to grow crops, and only 7% of the land in Tajikistan is farmable to begin with. to the Deputy Country Director in Tajikistan for the WFP, 鈥淭ajikistan is a landlocked country and a net importer of food, which means that the country has been particularly hard-hit by the high food and fuel prices."

#23. Tanzania

- Global Hunger Index: 28.8
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 32.1% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 13.6% (2011)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 34.8% (2011)

earlier this year that 鈥淭anzanian think tank Twaweza found that 78% of people had suffered food shortages in the past three months,鈥 Nevertheless, Tanzanian President John Magufuli has denied that there has been any sort of hunger crisis in his nation. The situation can in part be traced back to major drought conditions in East Africa, which have sent the price of staples such as maize and sorghum soaring. The price of maize has doubled over the last two years.

#22. Mozambique

- Global Hunger Index: 30.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 25.3% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 15.6% (2011)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 43.1% (2011)

The 鈥渙ne of the most disaster-prone countries in the world,鈥 with extreme weather not limited to drought and flooding near major river basins and 鈥減oorly-drained urban settlements.鈥 This factor has in large part kept the country insecure in terms of access to food and ability to grow crops, especially when two-thirds of residents live in areas that are highly susceptible to cyclones and storms.

#21. Guinea-Bissau

- Global Hunger Index: 30.6
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 20.7% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 17.0% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 27.6% (2014)

), which ranks a nation's government's willingness and work to fight famine, Guinea-Bissau ranks 44th out of 45, just surpassing Liberia. The Guardian also found that despite facing a hunger crisis, "Guinea-Bissau fails to invest in agriculture, despite committing to invest 10% of its budget in agriculture as part of the African Union's Maputo declaration."

#20. Djibouti

- Global Hunger Index: 31.4
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 15.9% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 29.8% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 33.5% (2012)

Despite having recently graduated from a low- to middle-income country, Djibouti鈥檚 natural disaster-prone desert climate still poses a problem for citizens buying food. The that about 90% of food in Djibouti is imported, prices for which reflect the foreign market. The organization also credits factors such as 鈥渟tructural poverty, insufficient access to water for agro-pastoral activities, lack of basic services such as health, education, and water and sanitation, inadequate social safety nets, limited employment opportunities and stresses from the influx of refugees.鈥

#19. India

- Global Hunger Index: 31.4
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 15.2% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 29.4% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 38.7% (2014)

India is home to a , though the country has recently been lauded for steady economic development. , CEO and co-founder of India Development Review, there are many reasons for India鈥檚 widespread malnourishment, 鈥...from women being the last to eat in the family (or not eating at all), to children having low birth weights when they are born, to lack of knowledge on good feeding practices, to widespread diarrhea which causes children to wither away [..]鈥  

#18. Rwanda

- Global Hunger Index: 31.4
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 31.6% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 11.7% (2010)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 44.3% (2010)

Rwanda has faced tragic events over the last few decades that have led to enduring, widespread hunger. Much of the country鈥檚 troubles can be , which disrupted much of the agriculture industry. Earlier this year, one of the worst droughts in the country鈥檚 history left in Rwanda鈥檚 Eastern Province.

#17. Uganda

- Global Hunger Index: 32
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 25.5% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 14.1% (2011)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 33.7% (2011)

Uganda鈥檚 largely static economic growth has put a strain on the country, but the influx of refugees to the country from its neighbors South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused food shortages. , its nearly 20-year conflict with the Lord鈥檚 Resistance Army, 鈥渁 violent opposition group that has terrorized the north鈥 has also greatly exacerbated the crisis.

#16. Ethiopia

- Global Hunger Index: 32.3
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 32.0% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 25.2% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 40.4% (2014)

Climate instability has put Ethiopia's food supply in critical condition, but , more aid and attention is being given to its neighbors instead. Ethiopia is still reeling from the effects of , the worst it had seen since 1984. The conditions caused the government to deplete many of its emergency food storage supplies, and the country has been struggling to catch up ever since.

#15. Angola

- Global Hunger Index: 32.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 14.2% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 15.6% (2007)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 29.2% (2007)

In 2013, it was were affected by southern Angola鈥檚 drought. to the director of the Angolan NGO Mbakita, 鈥減eople who still have crops are not going to the fields because they are hungry or sick, and children are dropping out of school, partly due to hunger, but also because their parents are sending them off to find water for the animals.鈥 Since then, the country has struggled to recover seeking asylum from the the influence of local militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

#14. Pakistan

- Global Hunger Index: 32.6
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 22.0% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 31.6% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 45.0% (2012)

Some blame Pakistan鈥檚 serious hunger issue on the misallocation of government aid funding. About 50 billion rupees were provided for two development programs, but , funds were going to 鈥減arliamentarians鈥 schemes, like village electrification and provision of gas facilities鈥 instead.

#13. Afghanistan

- Global Hunger Index: 33.3
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 26.8% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 32.9% (2004)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 59.3% (2004)

The that more than two million Afghans are expected to become severely food insecure and need aid., the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) country director in Afghanistan, drought and unrelenting military conflict has severely affected citizens鈥 access to food. 鈥淒isplaced people affected by the drought are prevented from reaching markets and aid due to the ongoing armed conflict,鈥 said Nyamandi.

#12. Zimbabwe

- Global Hunger Index: 33.8
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 33.4% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 11.2% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 27.6% (2014)

Zimbabwe鈥檚 low agricultural yield, as well as limited access to markets, has been devastating for citizens鈥 nutritional needs. In 2018, more than one million people 鈥渇ace food insecurity at the peak of the lean season.鈥 The report also points to 鈥渨idespread poverty, HIV/AIDS, limited employment opportunities, liquidity challenges, recurrent climate-induced shocks and economic instability鈥 as contributing factors. Thankfully, earlier this year to fund a five-year plan to end hunger in Zimbabwe.

#11. Haiti

- Global Hunger Index: 34.2
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 53.4% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 11.6% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 21.9% (2012)

The around Haiti to its dire hunger crisis. The CIA World Factbook estimates that more than two thirds of the labor force is unemployed鈥攁bout 40.6%. Without jobs and steady incomes, Haitians have difficulty feeding themselves and their families.

#10. Timor

- Global Hunger Index: 34.3
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 26.9% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 37.7% (2013)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 50.2% (2013)

Lack of food is such a chronic issue in Timor that farmers as those families have usually sold or eaten most of what they produced before the March harvest. This season has been hard-hit by drought caused by El Ni帽o in 2015 and 2016.

#9. Niger

- Global Hunger Index: 34.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 9.5% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 37.9% (2012)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 43.0% (2012)

Niger鈥檚 population is (about 4% a year), but the country continues to struggle with undernourishment. Conflict in the nation and surrounding areas has forced the displacement of citizens, a common cause of food insecurity. , a farming and fishing area also used as grazing grounds for livestock, has deprived many of their primary income.   

#8. Liberia

- Global Hunger Index: 35.3
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 31.9% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 15.3% (2013)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 32.1% (2013)

Not only is Liberia struggling to recover from a 14-year civil war, it was heavily impacted by the Ebola outbreak of 2014. The virus claimed thousands of lives, 鈥渃ollapsed the country鈥檚 health-care system, and attacked Liberia鈥檚 food supply,鈥 . the outbreak caused the country鈥檚 economy to suffer.

#7. Sudan

- Global Hunger Index: 35.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: not available
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 33.0% (2014)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 38.2% (2014)

Millions of South Sudanese have been affected by the four-year civil war, which has caused the economy to plummet, resulting in widespread displacement. , 鈥渇ighting has overcome some of the nation鈥檚 most productive land鈥 and 鈥渇ood prices are ruinously high.鈥

#6. Yemen

- Global Hunger Index: 36.1
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 26.1% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 39.9% (2013)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 46.8% (2013)

In the Arab world's poorest country, are severely undernourished. The situation is so dire that the "the worst humanitarian disaster in half a century." Three years of war and destructive air raids between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to exiled Saudi President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have created major food shortages and .

#5. Zambia

- Global Hunger Index: 38.2
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 47.8% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 14.8% (2013)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 40.0% (2013)

Droughts from El Nino combined with other natural disasters have made farming a difficult task in Zambia, but the that the country鈥檚 malnourishment is directly linked to widespread poverty. About 70% of the population is classified as poor, and 58% is classified as 鈥渆xtremely poor.鈥

#4. Madagascar

- Global Hunger Index: 38.3
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 33.0% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 36.8% (2004)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 49.2% (2009)

In Madagascar, the period between planting crops and the harvest takes up a larger portion of the year. The changing and erratic climate (drought, cyclones, floods) as well as the onset of pests like locusts . , poverty is also tightly woven within these issues: 鈥渟ome 90% of Madagascar鈥檚 population lives on less than $2 a day, and almost half of children are chronically malnourished or stunted.鈥

#3. Sierra Leone

- Global Hunger Index: 38.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 22.3% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 18.1% (2013)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 37.9% (2013)

is dangerously food-insecure. In addition to a violent 10-year civil war and ravaging Ebola outbreak, the WFP sees issues in the agriculture sector as a main cause of malnourishment. Only a fifth of the country is arable, and 鈥渁gricultural output and development are constrained by labor shortages, lack of agricultural equipment, poor quality seeds and high post-harvest losses.鈥

#2. Chad

- Global Hunger Index: 43.5
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 34.4% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 28.8% (2015)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 39.9% (2015)

in Chad have been unrelenting over the last 50 years, with about 87% of the population living in extreme poverty. within Chad and its neighboring countries caused residents to flee the Lake Chad region, which previously served as fertile farming and fishing land. What鈥檚 more, , making it even harder for agriculture to thrive in the area.

#1. Central African Republic

- Global Hunger Index: 50.9
- Prevalence of undernourishment: 47.7% of population (2015)
- Children under 5 who are underweight for their age: 23.5% (2010)
- Children under 5 with stunted height for their age: 40.7% (2010)

The most undernourished country in the world is the Central African Republic, faces food shortages and daily hunger. According to Al Jazeera, the crisis took a dire turn in 2013, when Muslim Seleka fighters toppled the government, and Christian militias began to target the Muslim minority. This conflict drove up food prices (beef almost doubled in price) and the violence and looting "almost halved the number of cattle and reduced the number of sheep and goats by almost 60%." has led to nearly one million displaced people, aggravating food insecurity among the citizens of CAR.

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