Low-birthweight babies in South Africa
South Africa: Low-birthweight babies was 16.6% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Low-birthweight babies in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Measured in % of births.
Analysis
The most recent figure for low-birthweight babies in South Africa is 16.6%, measured in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, low-birthweight babies in South Africa peaked at 17.2% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 16.6%, in 2015.
That places South Africa 21st out of 157 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
Low-birthweight babies in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17.2% | — |
| 2001 | 17.2% | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 17.2% | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 17.1% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 17.1% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 17.0% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 16.9% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 16.8% | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 16.8% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 16.8% | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 16.7% | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 16.7% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 16.6% | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 16.6% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 16.6% | -0.0% |
| 2015 | 16.6% | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 16.6% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 16.6% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 16.6% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 16.6% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 16.6% | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.0% | 16.8% | 17.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.6% | 16.6% | 16.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.6% | 16.6% | 16.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % 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 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is low-birthweight babies in South Africa?
- Low-birthweight babies in South Africa was 16.6% in 2020, according to UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
- What is the highest low-birthweight babies recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.2% in 2000.
- What is the lowest low-birthweight babies recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.6% in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for low-birthweight babies?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is low-birthweight babies rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), published as part of Low-birthweight babies (% of births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Low-birthweight babies are newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams, with the measurement taken within the first hour of life, before significant postnatal weight loss has occurred.