Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Pakistan’s Stunting Crisis Threatens Future Economic Growth
Many young children in Pakistan are not getting enough healthy food to grow properly.
This condition is called stunting.
It can start before a baby is born if the mother does not receive enough nutrition.
Illnesses and unhealthy living conditions can also contribute to it.
Stunting may make it harder for children to learn and develop.
Later, it can affect the kind of work they can do and how much they can earn.
Experts say this problem costs Pakistan a lot of money and could affect future generations.
A conference will discuss ways to improve nutrition for mothers and children.
Around 40 per cent of Pakistan’s children under five are affected by stunting.
Stunting is linked to chronic undernutrition, maternal nutrition, repeated infections and unhealthy living conditions.
The effects can impair physical development, learning, productivity and future earning potential.
Malnutrition is estimated to cost Pakistan more than $17 billion annually, while maternal mortality is 155 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The ACT For Nutrition campaign and conference on September 2 and 3 will examine causes and possible responses.
- Who
- Around 40 per cent of children under five in Pakistan are affected, with experts, development organisations, humanitarian leaders, international institutions, nutrition specialists and provincial governments involved in discussions.
- What
- Pakistan is facing a severe child-stunting and wider malnutrition crisis that threatens human development and economic growth.
- When
- The ACT For Nutrition campaign and international conference are scheduled for September 2 and 3; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Pakistan is the country affected; the conference location is not stated.
- Why
- Chronic undernutrition, poor maternal nutrition, repeated infections, unhealthy living conditions, poverty, weak child-feeding practices, underinvestment and climate vulnerability are identified as contributing factors.
- Children affected by stunting
- Around 40 per cent of children under five in Pakistan
- Maternal mortality rate
- 155 deaths per 100,000 live births
- Annual economic cost of malnutrition
- Estimated at more than $17 billion
- Conference dates
- September 2 and 3
- Conference initiative
- ACT For Nutrition campaign and international conference
- Discussion areas
- Poverty, maternal nutrition, child-feeding practices, governance, financing and climate vulnerability
- Long-term effects
- Potential impacts on physical development, learning, productivity and earning potential