Child Nutrition Report 2024

Source– This post on Child Nutrition Report 2024 is based on the article “UNICEF: 1 in 4 young children lives in severe food poverty” published in “VOA” on 12th June 2024.

Why in the News?

According to the recently released Child Nutrition Report 2024, severe food poverty affects one in four children under age 5 around the world.

About Child Nutrition Report 2024

1. Published by: UNICEF.

2. Objective: It examines the status, trends, inequities, and drivers of child food poverty in early childhood.

3. It addresses the impact of global and local food and nutrition crises.

4. It concentrates on low- and middle-income countries where most children experiencing food poverty reside.

5. It explores the effects of child food poverty on undernutrition and poor development.

6. UNICEF defines Child Food Poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood (first five years of life).

 Highlights of the 2024 Report

1. Global Impact: One in four children under age 5 worldwide (27% or 181 million) faces severe food poverty and is at risk of life-threatening malnutrition.

2. Regional Distribution: Over two-thirds of the 181 million young children living in severe food poverty are in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Key Countries: 20 countries account for 65% of children living in severe food poverty:
– Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen.

4. Household Impact: Children in both poor and non-poor households face severe food poverty.

5. Economic Distribution: About half (97 million) of the children in severe food poverty live in middle- and upper-income households.

UPSC Syllabus: Reports