Malaysia vs South Africa: Prevalence of underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5

Malaysia
5.37
in 2022
South Africa
5.22
in 2022
Malaysia rank
70th
South Africa rank
72nd

Prevalence of underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 over time

  • Malaysia
  • South Africa
68101214199020062022

How they compare

Malaysia currently reports 5.37 against 5.22 in South Africa, a difference of 0.15.

Across all 33 years both countries report, Malaysia has been ahead every year.

Malaysia ranks 70th and South Africa ranks 72nd of 193 countries.

Malaysia has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malaysia South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 12.91 8.31 4.6 Malaysia
2000s 9.61 6.74 2.87 Malaysia
2010s 7.08 5.62 1.45 Malaysia
2020s 5.56 5.24 0.3233 Malaysia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher prevalence of underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5, Malaysia or South Africa?
Malaysia, at 5.37 against 5.22 in South Africa as of 2022.
What is the difference in prevalence of underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 between Malaysia and South Africa?
0.15, with Malaysia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Malaysia and South Africa?
33 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2022.
How do Malaysia and South Africa rank globally for prevalence of underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5?
Malaysia ranks 70th and South Africa ranks 72nd of 193 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNICEF, published as Prevalence of underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 (Crude estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Malaysia vs South Africa: Prevalence of underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/prevalence-of-underweight-among-adults-bmi-18-5-crude-estimate/malaysia/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 (Crude estimate)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
349 places, 9,955 data points, 1990–2022
Last refreshed