2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: 2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) was 6.3 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
6.3
Change on year
up 16.7%
World rank
24th
of 62 countries
All-time high
11.6
in 2000
All-time low
4.6
in 2014
Years of data
7
2000–2021
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Sierra Leone, 2000–2021
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2021, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Sierra Leone stood at 6.3.
That represents a change of up 16.7% on the previous year and down 16.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Sierra Leone peaked at 11.6 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 4.6, in 2014.
That places Sierra Leone 24th out of 62 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
2.2.2a Prevalence of wasting among children under 5 (%) in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.6 | — |
| 2005 | 10.2 | -12.1% |
| 2010 | 7.5 | -26.5% |
| 2014 | 4.6 | -38.7% |
| 2017 | 6.8 | +47.8% |
| 2019 | 5.4 | -20.6% |
| 2021 | 6.3 | +16.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 6.3 is above the median for low income countries, which is 5.2, 1.2× the median. (17 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 6.3 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.7, 1.1× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.9 | 10.2 | 11.6 | 2 |
| 2010s | 6.08 | 4.6 | 7.5 | 4 |
| 2020s | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
- 21 Guyana 6.5 compare
- 21 Nigeria 6.5 compare
- 23 Democratic Republic of Congo 6.4 compare
- 25 Togo 5.7 compare
- 26 Tajikistan 5.6 compare
- 27 Central African Republic 5.2 compare
More health data for Sierra Leone
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.34 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.773 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,209 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.6447 % 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 0.0663 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.6611 % 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 0.0676 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Sierra Leone?
- 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 in Sierra Leone was 6.3 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 11.6 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.6 in 2014.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5?
- Sierra Leone ranks 24th out of 62 countries with data for 2021.
- Is 2.2.2a prevalence of wasting among children under 5 rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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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