2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in India
India: 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) was 18.7 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
18.7
Change on year
up 8.1%
World rank
1st
of 62 countries
All-time high
20.8
in 2015
All-time low
15.1
in 2014
Years of data
5
2006–2020
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in India, 2006–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
India recorded 18.7 for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.1% on the previous year and down 6.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in India peaked at 20.8 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 15.1, in 2014.
India ranks 1st of 62 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 20 | — |
| 2014 | 15.1 | -24.5% |
| 2015 | 20.8 | +37.7% |
| 2017 | 17.3 | -16.8% |
| 2020 | 18.7 | +8.1% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 18.7 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.65, 2.8× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20 | 20 | 20 | 1 |
| 2010s | 17.73 | 15.1 | 20.8 | 3 |
| 2020s | 18.7 | 18.7 | 18.7 | 1 |
Countries ranked near India
More health data for India
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.4372 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 44,822 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.3809 % 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 0.0372 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.5922 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.04 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in India?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in India was 18.7 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 20.8 in 2015.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.1 in 2014.
- How does India rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5?
- India ranks 1st out of 62 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).