45.4 Million Children Worldwide Suffer from Acute Malnutrition

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 45.4 million children under five years old globally suffered from acute malnutrition (wasting) in 2020. Most of these malnourished children are found in regions experiencing humanitarian conflict, poverty, and limited nutritional healthcare services.

By region, the highest percentage of under-five children suffering from acute malnutrition was in South Asia, at 14.7%. This was followed by West and Central Africa with 7.2%.

The proportion of under-five children with acute malnutrition in the Middle East and North Africa reached 6.3%. Furthermore, 5.3% of under-five children suffered from acute malnutrition in East and Southern Africa.

A total of 3.7% of under-five children experienced acute malnutrition in East Asia and the Pacific. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 1.9% of under-five children suffered from acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, 1.3% of under-five children experienced acute malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNICEF estimates that at least 340 million children under 5 years old suffer from one or more micronutrient deficiencies. This includes deficiencies in vitamin A, iron, iodine, and zinc.

Therefore, governments in various countries need to pay attention to children to prevent acute malnutrition. This is especially crucial for children from vulnerable groups and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.