Height-for-age <-2 SD (stunting) in China
China: Height-for-age <-2 SD (stunting) was 4.8 in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2017)
4.8
World rank
87th
of 96 countries
All-time high
38.3
in 1987
All-time low
4.8
in 2017
Years of data
13
1987–2017
Height-for-age <-2 SD in China, 1987–2017
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for height-for-age <-2 sd in China is 4.8, measured in 2017. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 51.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, height-for-age <-2 sd in China peaked at 38.3 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 4.8, in 2017.
China ranks 87th of 96 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Height-for-age <-2 SD (stunting) in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 38.3 | — |
| 1990 | 32.3 | -15.7% |
| 1992 | 38 | +17.6% |
| 1995 | 31.2 | -17.9% |
| 1998 | 19.8 | -36.5% |
| 2000 | 17.8 | -10.1% |
| 2002 | 21.8 | +22.5% |
| 2005 | 11.7 | -46.3% |
| 2008 | 9.8 | -16.2% |
| 2009 | 9 | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 9.4 | +4.4% |
| 2013 | 8.1 | -13.8% |
| 2017 | 4.8 | -40.7% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 4.8 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.5, 46% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
- China's 4.8 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 21.2, 23% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 38.3 | 38.3 | 38.3 | 1 |
| 1990s | 30.32 | 19.8 | 38 | 4 |
| 2000s | 14.02 | 9 | 21.8 | 5 |
| 2010s | 7.43 | 4.8 | 9.4 | 3 |
Countries ranked near China
- 84 Azerbaijan 6.55 compare
- 85 Uzbekistan 6.51 compare
- 86 Turkey 5.97 compare
- 87 Iran 4.8 compare
- 89 Jamaica 4.64 compare
- 90 United States 3.8 compare
More health data for China
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.0985 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,642 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % 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 0.0176 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is height-for-age <-2 sd in China?
- Height-for-age <-2 sd in China was 4.8 in 2017, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest height-for-age <-2 sd recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 38.3 in 1987.
- What is the lowest height-for-age <-2 sd recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8 in 2017.
- How does China rank for height-for-age <-2 sd?
- China ranks 87th out of 96 countries with data for 2017.
- Is height-for-age <-2 sd rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 51.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Height-for-age <-2 SD (stunting). 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).