Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns was 16.64 in 2020. ▬ Flat
Latest (2020)
16.64
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
21st
of 157 countries
All-time high
17.18
in 2000
All-time low
16.6
in 2015
Years of data
21
2000–2020
Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2020, prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa stood at 16.64.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa peaked at 17.18 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.
Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17.18 | — |
| 2001 | 17.18 | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 17.16 | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 17.12 | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 17.06 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 16.98 | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 16.91 | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 16.85 | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 16.79 | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 16.75 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 16.7 | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 16.66 | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 16.63 | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 16.61 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 16.6 | -0.0% |
| 2015 | 16.6 | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 16.62 | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 16.63 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 16.63 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 16.64 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 16.64 | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17 | 16.75 | 17.18 | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.63 | 16.6 | 16.7 | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.64 | 16.64 | 16.64 | 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 prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa?
- Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns in South Africa was 16.64 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.18 in 2000.
- What is the lowest prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.6 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 157 countries with data for 2020.
- Is prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns 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, published as part of Prevalence of low birth weight among new-borns. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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