2.2.2a Prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa
South Africa: 2.2.2a Prevalence of overweight among children under 5 was 12.1 in 2022. ▲ Rising
Latest (2022)
12.1
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
14th
of 160 countries
All-time high
13.1
in 2012
All-time low
11.7
in 2000
Years of data
23
2000–2022
2.2.2a Prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa, 2000–2022
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa is 12.1, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 7.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa peaked at 13.1 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 11.7, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 14th of 160 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.
2.2.2a Prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.7 | — |
| 2001 | 11.9 | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 12 | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 12.1 | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 12.1 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 12.1 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 12.2 | +0.8% |
| 2007 | 12.4 | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 12.5 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 12.7 | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 12.9 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 13 | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 13.1 | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 13.1 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 13 | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 13 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 12.9 | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 12.8 | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 12.6 | -1.6% |
| 2020 | 12.5 | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 12.3 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 12.1 | -1.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 12.1 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8, 1.5× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 12.1 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.8, 3.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12.17 | 11.7 | 12.7 | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.94 | 12.6 | 13.1 | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.3 | 12.1 | 12.5 | 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 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 in South Africa was 12.1 in 2022, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 13.1 in 2012.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.7 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5?
- South Africa ranks 14th out of 160 countries with data for 2022.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of overweight among children under 5 rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 2.2.2a Prevalence of overweight among children under 5 (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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