2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa
South Africa: 2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 was 22.8 in 2022. ▼ Falling
Latest (2022)
22.8
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
45th
of 159 countries
All-time high
26.6
in 2000
All-time low
22.3
in 2014
Years of data
23
2000–2022
2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa, 2000–2022
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa is 22.8, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa peaked at 26.6 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 22.3, in 2014.
That places South Africa 45th out of 159 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 26.6 | — |
| 2001 | 26.3 | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 26.2 | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 26.2 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 26.2 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 26.2 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 26 | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 25.5 | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 24.8 | -2.7% |
| 2009 | 24.1 | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 23.4 | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 22.9 | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 22.5 | -1.7% |
| 2013 | 22.4 | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 22.3 | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 22.3 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 22.4 | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 22.4 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 22.4 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 22.5 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 22.6 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 22.8 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 22.8 | +0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 22.8 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8.45, 2.7× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 22.8 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 24.9, 92% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 25.81 | 24.1 | 26.6 | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.55 | 22.3 | 23.4 | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.73 | 22.6 | 22.8 | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa?
- 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 in South Africa was 22.8 in 2022, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 26.6 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.3 in 2014.
- How does South Africa rank for 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5?
- South Africa ranks 45th out of 159 countries with data for 2022.
- Is 2.2.1 prevalence of stunting among children under 5 rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 23 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).