WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific - 2016 SPRs RBB 2016 SPRs by project type | Page 712

Standard Project Report 2016 In terms of nutrition, PNG ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence of stunting in the world, with approximately 50 percent or more of children aged 24-59 months suffering from stunting. Predictably, the prevalence of stunting is higher in rural areas (50 percent) than in urban centres (35 percent). Overall, 16 percent of the population suffers from moderate or acute malnutrition, with children aged 24-59 months more likely than other age groups to be malnourished [5]. PNG ranks very low on all indicators of social and economic development and missed the targets for all Millennium Development Goals. According to the latest Human Development Report, PNG ranked 158 out of 188 countries and territories in terms of Human Development Index (HDI). Gender inequality and gender-based violence remain significant challenges—PNG ranked 140 in the Gender Inequality Index (GII) out of 155 countries and territories for which the index has been calculated*. Despite years of rapid economic growth fueled by extractive industries, poverty remains a major issue with 40 percent of the population living on less than USD 1.25 per day [6]. [1] World Bank. Papua New Guinea, Overview, Context. Washington, . 25 November 2016. D.C. 28 September 2016. [2] Templeton and Omot 2012. 'Food security in East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Pacific island countries and territories. Australian Government. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research'. pp.28-39. . 25 November 2016. [3] WFP. 'El Niño food security impact in Papua New Guinea'. . 25 November 2016. March 2016. [4] Gurr, Geoff M. et al. 'Pests, Dise