Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Nepal
Nepal: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 12.8 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Nepal, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
Nepal recorded 12.8 percent for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in 2023.
That represents a change of down 5.2% on the previous year and up 23.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Nepal peaked at 13.6 percent in 2020 and was at its lowest, 9.6 percent, in 2016.
That places Nepal 31st out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10.38 percent | 9.6 percent | 12 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 13.28 percent | 12.8 percent | 13.6 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More reference data data for Nepal
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.53 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.1404 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 1.1 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.22 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.8422 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 254.62 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Nepal?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Nepal was 12.8 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 13.6 percent in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.6 percent in 2016.
- How does Nepal rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Nepal ranks 31st out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nepal data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.