Low breastfeeding rate: WHO data reveals how it is costing Pakistan $2.8 billion annually
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over Pakistan’s low breastfeeding rates, revealing that only 48.4% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. This gap, well below the World Health Assembly's 2030 target of 60%, is estimated to cost the country around $2.8 billion annually due to its negative effects on public health.
According to data from Nutrition International, insufficient breastfeeding in Pakistan is linked to over 33,700 child deaths each year, alongside 6.6 million cases of diarrhea and the loss of 2.7 million school years. Families also spend more than $888 million annually on infant formula and other breastmilk substitutes, which not only lack the nutritional value of breastmilk but also heighten infants’ risk of illness.
“Investing in educating and supporting mothers to prioritize breastfeeding is an investment in a healthier Pakistan,” said Dr. Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. He emphasized that breastfeeding is the safest and most effective way to protect a child’s health, delivering an economic return of $35 for every dollar invested.
Marking World Breastfeeding Week 2025 under the global theme, “Prioritize breastfeeding: Create sustainable support systems,” WHO reiterated that breastfeeding is among the most powerful strategies to promote infant health and survival.
Since January 2024, WHO has supported more than 172,000 mothers through 157 nutrition stabilization centers across Pakistan, and trained over 700 health workers in breastfeeding promotion.
Breastfeeding plays a critical role in a child’s early development. It provides essential nutrients, strengthens the immune system, and serves as a baby’s first vaccine—offering protection against common illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, a practice shown to significantly reduce infant mortality, malnutrition, and infection.