India's child stunting rates exceed Sub-Saharan Africa’s ones study finds

New research has shed light on the troubling rates of child stunting in India, revealing that the country has higher levels than even Sub-Saharan Africa.

Decades of caste-based discrimination have contributed to India having higher child stunting rates than many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research. Together, India and Sub-Saharan Africa account for 44 per cent of the world’s under-five population but make up nearly 70 per cent of the global cases of stunting—a key indicator of malnutrition, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

While both regions have made substantial progress in recent years, India’s child stunting rate stands at 35.7 per cent, higher than the 33.6 per cent average for 49 Sub-Saharan African countries. A child is considered stunted when their height is significantly lower than the expected height for their age, a clear sign of serious nutritional deficiencies. However, a study by Ashwini Deshpande (Ashoka University) and Rajesh Ramachandran (Monash University, Malaysia) suggests that the issue is more complex than just a height gap. 

The researchers argue that focusing solely on why Indian children are shorter than those in Sub-Saharan Africa overlooks the crucial influence of social identity—particularly caste—on child malnutrition in India. The first 1,000 days of life, often referred to as the "golden period," are crucial for a child’s development. By the age of two, 80 per cent of the brain’s development occurs, establishing the foundation for lifelong potential. During this time, access to healthcare, proper nutrition, early education, and a safe environment play a key role in shaping a child’s future. India and Sub-Saharan Africa, both with rapidly growing middle classes, young populations, and vast workforce potential, face similar challenges in poverty and development. 

In 2021, the World Bank reported that “Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia [including India] account for over 85 per cent of the global poor,” highlighting the shared obstacles in both regions. By examining the most recent stunting data from India and 19 Sub-Saharan African countries, the study sheds light on the persistent gaps in child health and nutrition. Official data shows that more than 35 per cent of India's 137 million children under the age of five are stunted, with over a third also classified as underweight. Globally, the rate of stunting among children under five is 22 per cent. The study also looked at six broad socially disadvantaged groups in India, including adivasis (tribal people in remote areas) and Dalits (formerly referred to as "untouchables"), who together represent more than a third of the under-five population. 

By Naila Huseynova