Stunted children
Over 150 million children under five were stunted in 2024 — too short for their age because of chronic undernutrition — and progress has stalled.
How this affects people
Stunting reflects chronic undernutrition and repeated infections in early life. Its effects on health and learning last a lifetime.
South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa carry two-thirds of the burden.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Poor maternal and child nutrition
- 02Repeated infections from unsafe water
- 03Poverty
- 04Conflict
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Progress plateaus
Recent data show a worrying halt in progress.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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