Pakistan has been identified as having the highest hunger score in South Asia according to the 2026 Global Hunger Index, reflecting a decline in food security attributed to economic instability, climate impacts, and global conflicts. This finding was reported by Dawn and is part of a study conducted by Welthungerhilfe, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum, and the Swiss organization Helvetas, under the theme “No Security Without Food Security.”
The report indicates that the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan has worsened since 2018, with overall progress in South Asia stalling. The level of undernourishment in Pakistan has shifted from low to moderate, and the prevalence of child wasting is nearing a high threshold.
Inflation and crop losses
Rising food prices due to economic instability have diminished the purchasing power of households in Pakistan, limiting access to food. The Global Hunger Index score for South Asia is 23.5, indicating a serious level of hunger, a decrease from 37.5 in 2000. While significant improvements were made prior to 2018, both Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen their hunger classifications drop from alarming to serious. Additionally, child stunting remains significantly high in both countries.
Recent heavy rains and localized flooding have led to crop losses in parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Afghanistan also faced challenges as the 2026 cereal harvest was negatively impacted by inadequate rainfall and high temperatures.
Deterioration of the global situation
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, an estimated 218 million people in South Asia, including Iran, are projected to be undernourished from 2023 to 2025, accounting for about one-third of the global total. The Global Hunger Index score has increased from 17.6 in 2018 to 18.1 in 2026.
The report highlights a worsening trend in hunger across 32 countries since 2018, and notes that 57 nations are unlikely to meet even minimal hunger reduction targets by 2030. Three of the four hunger-related indicators—undernourishment, child stunting, and child wasting—have declined, while only the child mortality indicator saw slight improvement.
Key factors cited for this deterioration include armed conflicts and extreme weather events. Rising costs for fuel, transportation, and fertilizers have also been linked to geopolitical issues, including the conflict involving Ukraine and export restrictions affecting global grain supply. Additionally, international spending on food security has reverted to levels seen in 2016 and 2017.
