Which has higher prevalence of undernourishment, Sub-Saharan Africa or Zambia?

Zambia, at 37.2% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2023.

How many years of comparable data are there for Sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia?

23 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.

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.

Sub-Saharan Africa vs Zambia: Prevalence of undernourishment

Sub-Saharan Africa

21.9%

in 2023

Zambia

37.2%

in 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa rank

6th

Zambia rank

7th

Prevalence of undernourishment over time

Sub-Saharan Africa
Zambia

How they compare

Zambia currently reports 37.2% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 15.3%.

That makes Zambia's figure about 1.7 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.

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

Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th and Zambia ranks 7th of 47 groups.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade	Sub-Saharan Africa	Zambia	Difference	Ahead
2000s	22.1%	48.3%	26.2%	Zambia
2010s	18.4%	36.8%	18.4%	Zambia
2020s	21.2%	35.8%	14.5%	Zambia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher prevalence of undernourishment, Sub-Saharan Africa or Zambia?: Zambia, at 37.2% against 21.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in prevalence of undernourishment between Sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia?: 15.3%, with Zambia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia?: 23 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
How do Sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia rank globally for prevalence of undernourishment?: Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 6th and Zambia ranks 7th of 47 groups.
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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Sub-Saharan Africa vs Zambia: Prevalence of undernourishment. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/prevalence-of-undernourishment-percent-of-population/sub-saharan-africa/zambia/

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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: 03 September 2026

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%.