2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) was 4.4 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
4.4
Change on year
down 10.2%
World rank
32nd
of 62 countries
All-time high
11.8
in 2004
All-time low
4.3
in 2018
Years of data
7
2004–2020
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Saudi Arabia, 2004–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 4.4 for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.2% on the previous year and down 20.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Saudi Arabia peaked at 11.8 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 4.3, in 2018.
That places Saudi Arabia 32nd out of 62 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11.8 | — |
| 2015 | 5.5 | -53.4% |
| 2016 | 4.6 | -16.4% |
| 2017 | 5.1 | +10.9% |
| 2018 | 4.3 | -15.7% |
| 2019 | 4.9 | +14.0% |
| 2020 | 4.4 | -10.2% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 4.4 is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.85, 2.4× the median. (8 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 4.4 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2.7, 1.6× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.88 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 5 |
| 2020s | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More health data for Saudi Arabia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8373 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.3736 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 829 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 5.31 % 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 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 5.38 % 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 0.0401 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Saudi Arabia?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Saudi Arabia was 4.4 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 11.8 in 2004.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.3 in 2018.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd out of 62 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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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