Thoughtpiece Stunting in South Africa Report 2025 – 2026

Growth stunting in children is one of the most significant public health and development challenges facing South Africa. Affecting an estimated one in four children under five (UNICEF, WHO & World Bank Group, 2025), stunting is a biological marker of chronic undernutrition with far-reaching consequences. It is not merely a health issue but a profound outcome of interconnected socio-economic inequities, including poverty, food insecurity, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to quality healthcare and education.