Pengaruh Ketimpangan Pendapatan dan Kemiskinan terhadap Stunting di Pulau Sumatera

This study examines the influence of income inequality and poverty on the prevalence of stunting in ten provinces across Sumatra Island during the 2016–2024 period. Using a panel dataset of 90 observations and applying a Fixed Effect Model, the results indicate that both income inequality—measured by the Gini Ratio—and poverty have a positive and significant effect on stunting. The Gini Ratio shows a coefficient of 1.46 (p = 0.0002), while poverty records a coefficient of 6.28 (p = 0.0140), jointly explaining 52% of the variation in stunting prevalence. Spatial analysis further supports these findings, with Moran’s I values exceeding 0.40, suggesting strong spatial autocorrelation and clustering of high-stunting regions. High-risk clusters—Aceh, Jambi, and Bengkulu—are characterized by Gini Ratios above 0.33 and poverty levels exceeding 12%, reinforcing the existence of an intergenerational poverty–stunting trap, particularly influenced by urban–rural disparities (rural 53.3% vs urban 34.9%). The study highlights that specific nutrition interventions such as supplementary feeding, micronutrient programs, and breastfeeding promotion are insufficient without accompanying structural reforms addressing economic inequality. Therefore, multisectoral convergence strategies are required, including expanded conditional cash transfers, progressive local taxation reforms, nutrition-focused social assistance, and universal basic infrastructure to accelerate stunting reduction toward the 14.2% target by 2029.