2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Malawi
Malawi: 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) was 2.1 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Malawi, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Malawi is 2.1, measured in 2020.
The figure is up 162.5% on the previous year and down 47.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Malawi peaked at 6.8 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.8, in 2019.
That places Malawi 49th out of 62 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6.8 | — |
| 2002 | 6.3 | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 6.3 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 4.2 | -33.3% |
| 2009 | 1.9 | -54.8% |
| 2010 | 4 | +110.5% |
| 2014 | 3.8 | -5.0% |
| 2015 | 2.8 | -26.3% |
| 2016 | 4.1 | +46.4% |
| 2017 | 2.6 | -36.6% |
| 2018 | 1.5 | -42.3% |
| 2019 | 0.8 | -46.7% |
| 2020 | 2.1 | +162.5% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 2.1 is below the median for low income countries, which is 5.2, 40% of the median. (17 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 2.1 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.7, 37% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.1 | 1.9 | 6.8 | 5 |
| 2010s | 2.8 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 7 |
| 2020s | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 46 North Korea 2.5 compare
- 47 Kuwait 2.3 compare
- 48 Dominican Republic 2.2 compare
- 50 Kyrgyzstan 2 compare
- 50 Eswatini 2 compare
- 52 China 1.9 compare
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.61 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0714 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.63 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0718 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Malawi?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Malawi was 2.1 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 6.8 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8 in 2019.
- How does Malawi rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5?
- Malawi ranks 49th out of 62 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 47.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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 — 13 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).