Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan
Pakistan: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 10.1 percent in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
In 2023, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan stood at 10.1 percent.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.4% on the previous year and up 1,022.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan peaked at 11.4 percent in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.8 percent, in 2016.
Pakistan ranks 36th of 125 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | percent | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 0.9 percent | — |
| 2016 | 0.8 percent | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 1.3 percent | +62.5% |
| 2018 | 1.6 percent | +23.1% |
| 2019 | 4.8 percent | +200.0% |
| 2020 | 8.7 percent | +81.2% |
| 2021 | 11.4 percent | +31.0% |
| 2022 | 11.4 percent | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 10.1 percent | -11.4% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 10.1 percent is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 10.1 percent, 1.0× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 10.1 percent is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 7.95 percent, 1.3× the median. (12 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 1.88 percent | 0.8 percent | 4.8 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 10.4 percent | 8.7 percent | 11.4 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More reference data data for Pakistan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 6.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 20.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 61.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 61.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.3 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 91.27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 260 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.79 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Pakistan was 10.1 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 11.4 percent in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8 percent in 2016.
- How does Pakistan rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Pakistan ranks 36th out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,022.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.
Download this data
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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.