In Bangladesh, the daily cost of maintaining a healthy diet for a person is roughly Tk 286 ($3.064), which is slightly lower than the global average of Tk 331 ($3.54) according to the UN’s report on food security and nutrition in the world. The report highlights the importance of affordability when it comes to healthy diets and how the cost of a healthy diet has been increasing over the years.
The report shows that the daily cost of a healthy diet for a person in Bangladesh has been steadily increasing, from $2.882 in 2017 to $3.064 in 2020. This increase can be attributed to the sharp rise in global food prices, especially in the second half of 2020. As a result, many people in Bangladesh and around the world are finding it harder to afford a nutritious diet.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet includes specific guidelines such as limiting fats and sugars, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and restricting salt intake. These guidelines are important for maintaining overall health and well-being, but they can be challenging to follow for many individuals, especially those on a tight budget.
The report also highlights the affordability of healthy diets in different regions. Asia witnessed the highest surge in the cost of a healthy diet in 2020, with almost 3.1 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet. In Bangladesh, over 12 crore people could not afford a healthy diet in 2020, which was an increase from previous years. This highlights the ongoing struggle for many people in the country to access nutritious food.
Despite hopes for improvement in food security and nutrition in 2021, the report shows that global hunger increased further, reflecting exacerbated inequalities and economic challenges due to the pandemic. The prevalence of undernourishment rose to 9.8 percent globally in 2021, with Bangladesh experiencing a slightly higher rate of 11.4 percent.
Overall, the report paints a concerning picture of food insecurity and nutrition challenges around the world, with billions of people facing moderate to severe food insecurity. In Bangladesh, a significant portion of the population faces food insecurity, highlighting the urgent need for policies and interventions to address these issues and ensure access to affordable, nutritious food for all.
