Philippines Faces Rising Child Malnutrition as Stunting Hits 25.3% in 2025

The 2025 Updating Survey has revealed worrying trends in child nutrition across the Philippines. It covered 91.5% of target households in all 118 provinces and highly urbanised cities. The data shows a rise in malnutrition among vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women. Stunting among Filipino children under five has reached 25.3%, marking the first increase since 2015. This means one in four children in this age group is now stunted. The issue is more severe in rural areas, where 27.8% of children are affected, compared to 23.2% in urban areas.

The highest rates appear in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 36%, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula at 34.6%, Negros Island Region at 30.9%, and Mimaropa at 30.3%. Beyond stunting, 18.6% of school-age children are underweight. Malnutrition also affects 18.9% of children aged five to ten and 21.4% of adolescents.

Pregnant women are likewise at risk, with 16.7% facing nutritional deficiencies. Among adolescent pregnant women, the figure rises to 40%. Food insecurity compounds these problems, affecting 32.6% of individuals. Many households are coping by buying food on credit or borrowing from relatives. The survey highlights a clear rise in child stunting and malnutrition across multiple age groups. Rural regions and specific areas like Bangsamoro and Zamboanga Peninsula show the most severe rates. Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge for many families, contributing to the ongoing nutritional crisis.