DATA from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shows that the share of Zimbabwe’s population facing malnutrition increased between 2012 and 2022, despite a significant decline between 2000 and 2011.
During this period, the percentage rose from 25.5% in 2012 to a peak of 39.5% in 2020.
The sharp increase in malnutrition is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including drought, poverty, and limited access to nutritious food.
Zimbabwe experienced severe El Niño-induced droughts during this time, which heavily impacted agriculture, while the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted agricultural value chains.
Additionally, poverty and limited employment opportunities have further exacerbated insufficient food intake and widespread nutritional deficiencies.
