Malnutrition costs Mozambique close to 62 billion meticais, which translates into almost 11% of its annual gross domestic product (GDP), according to data from a report by the Foundation for Community Development (FDC).

The report, quoted by AIM and presented this Thursday by the FDC in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the city of Nampula, indicates that mortality, associated with chronic malnutrition, has reduced the country's workforce by 10%, which is also responsible for 18.8% of school failures due to the growth deficit.

The data also indicates that in Mozambique, 45.2% of children suffering from malnutrition are not receiving adequate attention to their state of health.

The report is the result of research carried out in the districts of Eráti, Meconta and Monapo in June this year.

The document on social auditing in the nutrition sector also reveals that between 2020 and 2024, the percentage of the district's operating budget actually channeled into direct nutrition interventions remained very low, ranging between 0.04 and 0.11%, far below the recommendations of international institutions such as the World Bank, which suggest allocating a minimum of 10 dollars per child under five per year.

The same study points out that Mozambique is a young country, with more than 16 million children, corresponding to 52% of the total population.

In addition, the data shows that 37% of Mozambican children suffer from chronic malnutrition, while 4% suffer from acute malnutrition.

In the conclusions section, the document states that in Mozambique, over the last 22 years, there has been no significant progress in the fight against malnutrition.

The situation of chronic malnutrition in Mozambique is most pronounced in the provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado, with levels above 40%, while Gaza and Maputo have significantly lower levels, around 20%.

The study was presented at a session attended by government officials, members of the Provincial Assembly, partners and civil society.