Food insecurity surges in Pakistan, with one in four households affected

Food insecurity in Pakistan has worsened sharply despite signs of post-crisis economic stabilisation, according to findings from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25.

At the national level, the share of households experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity rose to 24.35% in 2024–25, up from 15.92% in 2018–19. Severe food insecurity more than doubled, increasing to 5.04% from 2.37%, underscoring the erosion of household purchasing power over the period.

The development comes despite the government’s frequent assertions of achieving economic stability.

Food insecurity has increased in both urban and rural areas, according to the survey.

In urban areas, moderate or severe food insecurity increased from 9.22% to 20.58% and severe insecurity increased from 1.24% to 5.12%. Rural households also experienced an increase, with moderate or severe food insecurity rising from 19.96% to 26.72% and severe cases increasing from 3.05% to 4.99%.

“However, severe food seems less in rural areas as compared to urban areas,” read the report.

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Analysing provinces, Balochistan has high moderate or severe food insecurity, with 30.26% households, followed by Sindh with 29.42%.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the lowest percentage of households experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity, with 21.54%.

“Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) related findings from HIES (2024–25) highlight significant progress yet persistent challenges in ensuring equitable food access across Pakistan. Nationally, around one-fourth of households experience moderate or severe food insecurity, with marked disparities across provinces and income groups,” read the report.

“Vulnerability remains highest in Balochistan and Sindh, while the lowest income quintile faces nearly five times greater risk than the highest.  These results underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to address regional and economic inequalities,” it added.

The report noted that while comparing food insecurity over the years, it is evident that shocks like COVID-19, the 2022 floods, and high inflation have impacted households.

In 2024–25, the lowest quintile experienced the highest level of moderate or severe food insecurity at the household level, with 45.97%. The 5th quintile experienced 8.95% food insecurity, the lowest among all quintiles.

However, the percentage of households experiencing food insecurity in all quintiles increased significantly compared to 2018–19.