Chapter 2 Sustainable Development Target 2.2: Malnutrition

2.2 Wasting among children under 5 years of age

Arab States had higher prevalence of wasting (7.1 percent) than the global average (6.8 percent) in 2022 (Figure 11, Table A-7), with low-income countries in the Arab region having the highest prevalence (14.6 percent) compared to the other country income groups. The prevalence of wasting in countries affected by conflict was more than double the prevalence in countries not affected by conflict (10.4 percent compared to 5 percent) in 2022.

FIGURE 11.

Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 years of age in the Arab States by country income group, conflict status and least developed country status (2022)

Notes: Definitions of country groupings are contained in Annex IV.
Source: Based on UNICEF, WHO & World Bank. 2023. Levels and trends in child malnutrition. UNICEF / WHO / World Bank Group Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates – Key findings of the 2023 edition. New York, USA, UNICEF; Geneva, Switzerland, WHO and Washington, DC, World Bank. https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-report-2023
Download: https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3550en-fig11