Cost of healthy diet in Nigeria rises by 45% in six months

…hits N1,241 in June

The cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in Nigeria has increased by 45 percent in the first six months of 2024, faster than general inflation and food inflation, a new report disclosed.

The latest ‘Cost of Healthy Diet’ report, produced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, shows that the national average cost of a healthy diet rose to N1,241 per adult per day in June 2024 from N858 in January 2024,

According to NBS, it was also 19 percent higher than N1,041 per adult per day reported in May 2024.

“The main drivers of this increase in CoHD are Vegetables, Legumes, Nuts and Seeds, and Starchy Staples. Starchy Staples, on the other hand, saw the smallest increase in price month-on-month,” the report said.

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NBS data revealed that the headline inflation quickened for the 18th straight time to 34.19 percent in June, up from 33.95 percent in May.

Food inflation, which constitutes more than 50 percent of headline inflation increased to 40.87 percent from N40.66 percent.

The CoHD report also revealed that Ekiti, Ogun and Osun States recorded the highest costs with N1,640, N1,599, and N1,557 respectively. Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa accounted for the lowest costs with N878, N926, and N937, respectively.

“At the Zonal level, the average CoHD was highest in the South West Zone at N1,545 per day, followed by the SouthSouth Zone with N1,376 per day. The lowest average Cost of a Healthy diet was recorded in North West Zone with N956 per day,” it said.

It added that animal-source foods were the most expensive food group recommendation to meet in June, accounting for 35 percent of the total CoHD to provide 13 percent of the total calories.

“Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie; they accounted for 11 percent and 17 percent, respectively, of total CoHD while providing only 7 percent and 5 percent of total calories in the Healthy Diet Basket,” NBS reported.