In 2015, 159 million children were stunted, indicating chronic deficiencies occuring over time – caused by recurrent infections and poor diet. Forty countries have a stunting prevalence of 40 percent or more.
The prevalence of stunting is highest in Africa, but the largest number of stunted children is in south-Central Asia (69 million).
Countries in Asia have made greater progress in reducing stunting over the last 2 decades than those in Africa, however.