2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Kenya
Kenya: 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) was 4.9 in 2022. ▼ Falling
Latest (2022)
4.9
World rank
29th
of 62 countries
All-time high
7.4
in 2000
All-time low
4.2
in 2014
Years of data
8
2000–2022
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Kenya, 2000–2022
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2022, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Kenya stood at 4.9.
The figure is down 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Kenya peaked at 7.4 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 4.2, in 2014.
That places Kenya 29th out of 62 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 7.4 | — |
| 2003 | 6.2 | -16.2% |
| 2005 | 6.9 | +11.3% |
| 2008 | 6.9 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 6 | -13.0% |
| 2014 | 4.2 | -30.0% |
| 2016 | 7 | +66.7% |
| 2022 | 4.9 | -30.0% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 4.9 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.65, 74% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 4.9 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.7, 86% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.85 | 6.2 | 7.4 | 4 |
| 2010s | 5.73 | 4.2 | 7 | 3 |
| 2020s | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 26 Tajikistan 5.6 compare
- 27 Central African Republic 5.2 compare
- 28 Gambia 5.1 compare
- 29 Burundi 4.9 compare
- 31 Vietnam 4.7 compare
- 32 Saudi Arabia 4.4 compare
More health data for Kenya
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6026 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 16,059 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 89 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.28 % 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 0.0621 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.28 % 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 0.063 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Kenya?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Kenya was 4.9 in 2022, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 7.4 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2 in 2014.
- How does Kenya rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5?
- Kenya ranks 29th out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya 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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