Prevalence of undernourishment (%) in Nepal
Nepal: Prevalence of undernourishment (%) was 5.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal, 2001–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal is 5.2%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and down 35.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal peaked at 23.7% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.4%, in 2018.
That places Nepal 88th out of 140 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence of undernourishment (%) in Nepal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 23.7% | — |
| 2002 | 22.0% | -7.2% |
| 2003 | 20.0% | -9.1% |
| 2004 | 17.8% | -11.0% |
| 2005 | 16.9% | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 16.0% | -5.3% |
| 2007 | 14.9% | -6.9% |
| 2008 | 13.1% | -12.1% |
| 2009 | 11.7% | -10.7% |
| 2010 | 10.8% | -7.7% |
| 2011 | 10.0% | -7.4% |
| 2012 | 9.3% | -7.0% |
| 2013 | 8.6% | -7.5% |
| 2014 | 8.1% | -5.8% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | -13.6% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | -17.1% |
| 2017 | 4.8% | -17.2% |
| 2018 | 4.4% | -8.3% |
| 2019 | 4.7% | +6.8% |
| 2020 | 5.2% | +10.6% |
| 2021 | 5.3% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 5.4% | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 5.3% | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 5.2% | -1.9% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 5.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.1%, 47% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.3% | 11.7% | 23.7% | 9 |
| 2010s | 7.3% | 4.4% | 10.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More development goals data for Nepal
- Red List Index 0.9303 (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 27.57 (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 57.25 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 48 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 47 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 47 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 34 (2025)
- Infant deaths 12,587 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Nepal was 5.2% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 23.7% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.4% in 2018.
- How does Nepal rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Nepal ranks 88th out of 140 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).