Malawi vs World: Prevalence of undernourishment

Malawi
21.4%
in 2023
World
8.5%
in 2023
Malawi rank
24th
World rank
27th

Prevalence of undernourishment over time

  • Malawi
  • World
510152025200120122023

How they compare

Malawi currently reports 21.4% against 8.5% in World, a difference of 12.9%.

That makes Malawi's figure about 2.5 times World's.

Across all 23 years both countries report, Malawi has been ahead every year.

Malawi ranks 24th and World ranks 27th of 168 countries.

Malawi has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malawi World Difference Ahead
2000s 20.3% 11.4% 8.9% Malawi
2010s 16.1% 7.8% 8.3% Malawi
2020s 20.6% 8.5% 12.1% Malawi

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher prevalence of undernourishment, Malawi or World?
Malawi, at 21.4% against 8.5% in World as of 2023.
What is the difference in prevalence of undernourishment between Malawi and World?
12.9%, with Malawi ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Malawi and World?
23 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
How do Malawi and World rank globally for prevalence of undernourishment?
Malawi ranks 24th and World ranks 27th of 168 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Malawi vs World: Prevalence of undernourishment. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/prevalence-of-undernourishment-percent-of-population/malawi/world/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population)
Unit
% of population
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
215 places, 4,908 data points, 2001–2023
Last refreshed

Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.