ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded the highest hunger score in South Asia, highlighting worsening food insecurity driven by economic instability, rising food prices and climate-related disasters, according to the 2026 Global Hunger Index released on Wednesday.
The report, published jointly by Welthungerhilfe, Ruhr University Bochum’s Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict, and Swiss organisation Helvetas, found that progress in reducing hunger across South Asia has largely stalled since 2018.
Economic instability and rising food inflation have weakened household purchasing power, making essential food items increasingly difficult for many families to afford. The report also noted that undernourishment in Pakistan has worsened since 2018, while child wasting has approached the high-severity threshold.
Although Pakistan has improved its overall hunger situation since 2000, child stunting remains very high. However, the country has continued to record a gradual decline in stunting rates.
Climate change has further intensified food security challenges. Heavy rains and flooding have caused localised crop losses in Pakistan and Bangladesh, threatening agricultural production and household food supplies.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates, 218 million people across South Asia, including Iran, experienced undernourishment between 2023 and 2025.
Globally, hunger has also increased after nearly two decades of progress. The 2026 Global Hunger Index score rose to 18.1 from 17.6 in 2018.
The report identified armed conflicts, extreme weather events, rising transportation costs and reduced humanitarian funding as major factors worsening food insecurity. It urged governments to restore funding for food assistance and strengthen data collection to prevent future crises.
The findings underscore the need for Pakistan to address inflation, improve agricultural resilience and expand support for vulnerable households.
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