Fact Check: Nepal's malnutrition rates dropped from over 60% to less than 30% since the 1990s.

Fact Check: "Nepal's malnutrition rates dropped from over 60% to less than 30% since the 1990s."

What We Know

The claim that Nepal's malnutrition rates dropped from over 60% to less than 30% since the 1990s is partially supported by available data. In the early 1990s, the prevalence of stunting among children under five years old was reported to be around 68% in 1995, making it one of the highest rates globally (source-7). By 2016, this rate had decreased significantly to approximately 36% (source-2).

Further, a UNICEF report from 2021 indicated that as of 2019, the stunting rate was about 35.8% among children under five years old (source-1). While this shows a notable decrease, it does not fully support the claim that rates have dropped to less than 30%.

Analysis

The data indicates a substantial reduction in malnutrition rates in Nepal, particularly in terms of stunting, which is a critical indicator of child malnutrition. The decline from 68% in 1995 to 36% in 2016 reflects significant progress in addressing child malnutrition, attributed to various factors such as improved health services, increased parental education, and better sanitation (source-2).

However, the claim's assertion of a drop to "less than 30%" is not substantiated by the most recent statistics. The UNICEF report indicates that while Nepal has made progress, the stunting rate remained above 30% as of 2019 (source-1). Furthermore, the ongoing challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for nutrition suggest that while improvements have been made, they have not yet reached the levels claimed (source-1).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, coming from peer-reviewed articles and reputable organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization. However, it's important to note that while these reports provide a comprehensive overview of the situation, they may not capture the most recent developments post-2019, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on nutrition (source-1).

Conclusion

The claim that "Nepal's malnutrition rates dropped from over 60% to less than 30% since the 1990s" is Partially True. While there has been a significant reduction in malnutrition rates, particularly stunting, the current rates are still above 30%, with estimates around 35.8% as of 2019. Therefore, while the claim highlights an important trend of improvement, it overstates the current status of malnutrition in Nepal.

Sources

1. Nutrition in Nepal: Three decades of commitment to ... Link
2. Drivers of stunting reduction in Nepal: a country case study Link
3. Nepal Nutrition and Food Security Portal Link
4. Nutrition Landscape Information System: Nutrition Landscape Information ... Link
5. A Closer Look at Hunger and Undernutrition in Nepal Link
6. Nepal travel guide & inspiration - Lonely Planet | Asia Link
7. Nepal Overview Link
8. 8 of the best things to do in Nepal - Lonely Planet Link