From Malnutrition to Water Scarcity: UN Identifies Key Threats to Food Security in Tajikistan

A new United Nations report titled Food Security and Nutrition Outlook for Europe and Central Asia 2024 has outlined the major challenges facing Tajikistan in nutrition, public health, and sustainable agriculture. The report identifies chronic malnutrition, rising childhood obesity, and vulnerability to climate change as the principal threats to the country’s food system. According to the findings, Tajikistan continues to face a dual burden: while undernutrition remains a persistent issue, obesity is on the rise, particularly among children. In 2022, nearly one in seven Tajik children under five (13.1%) suffered from stunting due to chronic malnutrition, while 9.9% were affected by wasting, well above the global target of 3%. At the same time, childhood obesity has seen a dramatic increase, with the proportion of overweight children rising from 4.6% in 2000 to 21% in 2022. Efforts to address these issues are further complicated by Tajikistan’s climate vulnerability and water management challenges. Agriculture, a cornerstone of the national economy and food supply, is particularly susceptible to shifting weather patterns. Although the government is implementing reforms, including the adoption of a new Water Code in 2020 and a watershed management system planned for completion by 2026, water scarcity remains a critical concern. Water user associations are playing a growing role in this transformation. The report also highlights gender disparities in the agricultural workforce. Women represent a significant share of those employed in agriculture, yet many work informally, without pay or legal protections. The UN urges action to ensure women have equitable access to land, resources, and decision-making processes. Beyond Tajikistan, the wider Europe and Central Asia region is not immune to food insecurity. As of 2023, 107 million people, 11.5% of the population, faced moderate or severe food insecurity, with 24.5 million in acute need. In Central Asia, 2.3 million people, around 3% of the region’s population, do not meet minimum daily energy requirements. The crisis is exacerbated by economic instability, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine. While child malnutrition and anemia in women have declined across the region, adult obesity is increasing and now exceeds 20%. Meanwhile, 7.1% of children under five are overweight, and nearly 64.3 million people (6.9%) cannot afford a nutritious diet, an enduring challenge despite comparatively better regional indicators than global averages. The UN emphasizes the vital role of water in securing the region’s food future. Rising demand for meat and dairy products is straining already scarce water resources. Outdated infrastructure, pollution, data gaps, and insufficient regional cooperation are all significant barriers to water security. To address these challenges, the report calls for investment in water-saving technologies, reuse strategies, and reduced agricultural water footprints. Achieving long-term sustainability, the UN argues, requires an integrated approach, one that links nutrition, climate adaptation, gender equality, and modern water governance. The report was developed with the input of seven UN agencies, including FAO, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, and WMO. International partners have expressed readiness to support Tajikistan in identifying and implementing durable, systemic solutions.