OVERCOMING HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION IN MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES

Hunger and malnutrition are not problems exclusive to low income countries. Middle income countries (MICs), despite some being global economic powerhouses, are home to the majority of the world’s hungry and malnourished, according to the latest Global Food Policy Report.

MICs around the world, especially in Asia, are still challenged with reducing hunger and malnutrition to achieve sustainable economic growth. Close to half of the world’s hungry, or 363 million people, live in China, India and Indonesia. Undernutrition, the result of prolonged inadequate intake of macro- and micronutrients, is also widespread.

Despite the diversity among MICs, many of these countries share similarities: persistent or rising inequality across wealth, gender, education, and nutrition; rapid urbanization and changing consumer preferences; lack of focus on nutrition and poor targeting of safety nets. These countries must develop effective policies and strategies to address these challenges.

Read the full report.