Over 60% of Pakistanis Cannot Afford a Healthy Diet, FAO Report Reveals

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Pakistan has relatively high availability of cereals, sugar and edible oils, but supplies of essential foods such as fruits, vegetables and pulses remain limited.

The report notes that high prices of healthy foods, combined with the easy availability of cheaper alternatives, make it difficult for low-income households to maintain a balanced diet. Children and women are particularly affected by the situation.

Data from Pakistan’s National Nutrition Survey 2018 showed that 40.2% of children in the country suffered from stunting, while the Global Nutrition Report put the proportion of women affected by anaemia at more than 41%. Diabetes affects approximately 14% of the adult population, according to the figures cited in the report.

Pakistan also faces significant food waste. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research estimates that around 20 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, causing losses worth approximately $4 billion. Waste of major crops, including wheat, rice and maize, alone accounts for an estimated $1 billion in losses each year.

The figures highlight a major contradiction: millions of people struggle to afford nutritious food, while a substantial share of the country’s food supply is lost before reaching consumers or being consumed.

According to the FAO, Pakistan’s agricultural sector receives around $6.6 billion in support annually. The organisation estimates that better use of existing resources and reforms to the food system could improve access to healthy diets.

Estimates suggest that cutting food waste by 50% could reduce the cost of a healthy diet by around 8%. Meanwhile, increasing fruit and vegetable production by 25% could raise their availability by approximately 12%.

Experts say addressing food insecurity requires more than increasing overall agricultural output. They stress the need to reduce food waste, expand the production of fruits and vegetables, and make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible to ordinary citizens.