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

051015202006201320202006: 202014: 15.12015: 20.82017: 17.32020: 18.7

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

Annual values for 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in India, 2006 to 2020.
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 2 Sri Lanka 15.1 compare
  2. 3 Mauritania 13.6 compare
  3. 4 Niger 10.9 compare

See the full ranking of 62 places →

More health data for India

All data for India →

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.

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2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in India. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/2-2-2a-prevalence-of-wasting-among-children-under-5-percent/india/

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About this data

Indicator
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
62 places, 500 data points, 2000–2022
Last refreshed