Acute malnutrition and stunting in children under five have worsened in Cape Verde since 2015, according to national statistics.
Acute malnutrition and stunting among children under five have worsened in Cape Verde since 2015, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) statistical report shows acute malnutrition rose from 3% to 5.9% between 2015 and 2019, before falling to 4% in 2024. Within the subgroup of children aged two to five, there was a clear degradation of the indicator, increasing from 2.7% to 4.6% between 2015 and 2024, with peaks reaching 8.1% in 2022.
Stunting prevalence among children under five in Cape Verde stood at 12.6% in 2024, up from 11.8% in 2015. The report concludes that between 2009 and 2024, there has been no progress in reducing the rate of child stunting, despite international nutrition targets. These figures are part of the seventh statistical report on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, managed by Cape Verde's National Statistics Institute.
The report, which presents an updated picture of Cape Verde's position on SDG implementation, also noted a decrease in the proportion of the population living below the international poverty line, from 4.6% in 2015 to 2.3% in 2022. The SDGs include 169 measures grouped into 17 major objectives across social, environmental, economic, and institutional areas, with a target for implementation by 2030.
Why it mattersChildren under five in Cape Verde are experiencing increased rates of acute malnutrition and stunting, impacting their immediate health and long-term development.
Read in the ASJ desk →