FAO Highlights Costa Rica Among the Countries with the Lowest Malnutrition Rates in the Region

Recognition in Food Security

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recognized Costa Rica as one of the countries with the lowest levels of malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to its most recent regional assessments. This positioning reflects sustained progress in public policies aimed at food and nutritional security.

The Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO) regularly prepares reports on the state of food security worldwide, analyzing indicators such as undernourishment, access to food, and malnutrition.

Indicators and Public Policies

Costa Rica has developed inter-institutional strategies to strengthen agricultural production, social protection, and food programs targeted at vulnerable populations. These actions are coordinated with entities such as the Ministerio de Salud (Costa Rica) and the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (Costa Rica), which oversee initiatives in nutrition, supply, and rural development.

In addition, the country has statistical monitoring systems supported by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (Costa Rica) (INEC), which allow the evaluation of socioeconomic conditions and population well-being levels.

Regional Context

In the Latin American context, FAO has pointed out that the region faces challenges linked to rising food costs, inequality, and the effects of climate change on agricultural production. In this scenario, Costa Rica stands out for maintaining comparatively more favorable indicators in terms of undernourishment.

These results are associated with social development policies and basic service coverage that have contributed to reducing structural gaps in access to adequate food.

Challenges and Future Sustainability

Although this recognition places the country in a favorable regional position, international organizations emphasize the importance of maintaining investments in sustainable agriculture, social protection, and climate resilience.

Food security remains a strategic pillar within the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations system, of which Costa Rica is an active member.

Official Sources Consulted

• Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO)
• Ministerio de Salud (Costa Rica)
• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (Costa Rica)
• Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (Costa Rica)