Pakistan among countries worst-hit by global food price inflation: UN report

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is one of the countries that are most affected by global food prices, which recorded a rapid increase in the cost of basic staps such as wheat and cooking oil between 2021 and 2024.

Food prices have had a serious impact on food safety, which has provided millions of healthy diets, and has helped to increase the growing nutrition of children in the country.

According to the UN flagship report, the world is jointly developed by five UN agencies-FAOs, UNICEF, WFP, IFAD and WHOs, jointly, while global hunger is low, and global hunger is low.

The low -income country Pakistan has been highlighted to face inflation in high food prices, which has promoted general inflation, weakened the power of domestic purchase and shrinking food diversity.

From 2021 to 2024, Pakistan, along with Nigeria and Mexico, saw a rapid rise in prices in starch staples and edible oils, which are the main ingredients for poor households. The report states that the cost of healthy diet in Pakistan has led to rapid fluctuations due to climate barriers and prices. In these countries, the burden of inflation was too much to affect the poor, the non -proportional women and the rural communities.

The cheapness of healthy diet in Pakistan has deteriorated significantly. Although the global number of people unable to tolerate healthy diet has dropped from 2.76 billion in 2019 to $ 2.60 billion in 2024, in fact, the number has increased to 791 million to 2024 in 2019, leaving India in low -income countries (LMIC). It also includes Pakistan, where the structural food system is weak and lack of currency.

According to the report, food prices in Pakistan increased faster than overall inflation, which intensified food insecurity. Food prices increase by 10pc is associated with a 4.8 to 6.1pc increase in children under the age of five, which has been observed in Pakistan where ruin and stunt are high.

The average global cost of a healthy diet increased to $ 4.46 per person daily in 2024, more than 4.01 in 2022. In Asia, the average cost was $ 4.43 per day. This cost of many Pakistanis, this cost is unbearable, as revenue prices are not intact. Even dependents on agriculture are affected, as most rural families are buying pure foods.

The report confirms that food insecurity is high in rural areas globally, and Pakistan fits this style. In 2024, the food of 32 PC people living in rural areas around the world was unsafe, compared to 24 PCs in urban areas. Women are also inappropriately affected by low income, care responsibilities and weak access to safety nets.

In Pakistan, the malnutrition of children has become a serious concern. Although South Asia has seen some nutritional improvement overall, Pakistan is continuing to report high levels of children’s loss, which is closely linked to food insecurity and unbearable diet.

The report estimates that the waste of children globally was at 6.6pc in 2024, while special breastfeeding increased from 37pc in 2012 to 47.8pc in 2023. Nevertheless, Pakistan is left behind in both indicators.

Neighbors show a mixed picture. India has improved food cheap and food safety, the main reason for this is due to a strong system of public subsidy and public distribution. Bangladesh has gained better control over food prices, while Afghanistan is the worst affected by the ongoing conflict, humanitarian crisis and economic elimination.

Despite the slightest improvement, global context is dark. In 2024, about 67 673 million people – less than 8.2pc – 2024 of the world’s population was reduced to 8.5 pc. In 2024, about 2. 2.3 billion people, 28 pcs of the world population, moderate or severe nutritional insecurity in 2024. Like the progress in Latin America and parts of Asia, countries and countries of countries increased Western and West Asia, which increased Central and West Asia countries.

The report emphasizes without immediate action, the world will be reduced to zero hunger by 2: 2030. If current trends are intact, 512 million people will be hungry by 2030, about 60 % of them in Africa. Countries like Pakistan are removing both national development priorities and the decline in global hunger, if inflation, poverty and food system weaknesses have been declared neutral.

UN agencies recommend a comprehensive policy response: eating accessories, inflation -related indexes, investment in flexible and comprehensive agri food systems, better trade infrastructure and better market transparency. For countries like Pakistan, the policy coordination between financial, financial and social institutions is considered important for the protection of the poorest people and avoiding future shocks.

As the report warns, global food prices have become the highest threat to food protection, especially for the weak population in South Asia, Africa and Latin America. For Pakistan, without decisive and comprehensive intervention, the ongoing crisis in food, the results of the public health and economic stability for years to come can be ruined.