Child malnutrition in India remains high despite growth

India’s child malnutrition crisis persists despite economic growth and food abundance

India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, yet malnutrition among young children stays alarmingly high. Recent data shows that over a third of children under five still suffer from stunting, despite ongoing government efforts. The issue is particularly severe in states like Madhya Pradesh, where abundant food production has failed to translate into better nutrition for its youngest residents.

The latest figures from June 2025 reveal that 37.07% of children aged 0-5 enrolled in Anganwadi centres are stunted, while 15.93% are underweight and 5.46% wasted. These numbers reflect only a slight improvement from the NFHS-5 survey (2019-21), which recorded 35.5% stunting, 32.1% underweight, and 19.3% wasting nationwide. Experts point to multiple causes: household food insecurity, low literacy rates, poor healthcare access, and weak purchasing power. Early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and inadequate breastfeeding further worsen the problem.

To tackle this, the central government runs Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, providing supplementary nutrition to children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. However, implementation gaps persist, especially in states with high malnutrition rates. Madhya Pradesh, for instance, produces over half of India’s soybeans and large quantities of peas—yet has not rolled out widespread fortification schemes, subsidised protein-rich foods, or public awareness drives. As a result, protein-energy malnutrition in the state remains above 40% among under-fives, showing no meaningful decline since 2021. The consequences of persistent under-nutrition extend beyond childhood. Poor nutrition in early years leads to long-term health issues, reduced work productivity, and lower overall well-being. With a young population, India’s ability to address these challenges will shape its future economic and social progress.

While government schemes like Poshan 2.0 aim to reduce malnutrition, progress has been slow and uneven. States such as Madhya Pradesh, despite their agricultural strengths, continue to see high rates of protein deficiency among children. Without stronger policy action and better use of local resources, the cycle of malnutrition—and its lasting effects—will likely persist.