Evaluating The Impact Of Foreign Aid On Stunting Prevalence In Sub-Saharan Africa: An Empirical Analysis Using World Bank Data From 1960-2020.

This study explores the relationship between foreign aid

and stunting prevalence among children under five in SubSaharan Africa (SSA) using a longitudinal dataset from the

World Bank’s World Development Indicators (1960-2020).

Integrating Human Capital Theory and Dependency Theory,

this analysis investigates how net official development

assistance (ODA) impacts stunting, a critical marker of child

health and development, in the context of socioeconomic

and environmental factors. The average prevalence rate

of stunting in SSA is 36.14% ranging between 7.8% in

Seychelles and 56.1% in Burundi. The fixed and random

effects regression models were employed to examine the

data, with a focus on understanding the effects of foreign aid

(net ODA), GDP per capita, literacy rates, access to sanitation,

and water services on child nutrition outcomes. Findings

reveal that while foreign aid exhibits a negative association

with stunting prevalence, this relationship is statistically

insignificant. In contrast, higher GDP per capita and literacy

rates are significantly associated with reductions in stunting

prevalence. These results highlight the importance of aligning

foreign aid strategies with local economic development

and education initiatives to maximize health outcomes.

This study calls for a strategic re-evaluation of foreign aid

policy to promote sustainable, self-sufficient growth within

SSA, addressing both immediate health needs and long-term

development goals.