Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height was 1.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe, 1988–2024
Source: UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME). Aggregation is based on UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank harmonized dataset (adjusted, comparable data) and methodology., UN Children'. Measured in % of children under 5.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe stood at 1.6%.
The figure is up 128.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe peaked at 4.1% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 2019.
That places Zimbabwe 22nd out of 85 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 0.4% | — |
| 1994 | 1.6% | +300.0% |
| 1999 | 4.1% | +156.2% |
| 2005 | 2.9% | -29.3% |
| 2009 | 0.5% | -82.8% |
| 2010 | 0.8% | +60.0% |
| 2012 | 0.6% | -25.0% |
| 2014 | 0.7% | +16.7% |
| 2015 | 1.1% | +57.1% |
| 2019 | 0.3% | -72.7% |
| 2024 | 1.6% | +433.3% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 1.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.3%, 1.2× the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 1.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.2%, 1.3× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.8% | 1.6% | 4.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 1.7% | 0.5% | 2.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 0.7% | 0.3% | 1.1% | 5 |
| 2020s | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 20 Armenia 1.7% compare
- 20 Bangladesh 1.7% compare
- 22 Cameroon 1.6% compare
- 22 Central African Republic 1.6% compare
- 22 Tajikistan 1.6% compare
More health data for Zimbabwe
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.39 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.11 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 874.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,457 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.9632 % 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 0.0689 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.9673 % 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 severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe?
- Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height in Zimbabwe was 1.6% in 2024, according to UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME). Aggregation is based on UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank harmonized dataset (adjusted, comparable data) and methodology., UN Children'.
- What is the highest prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 4.1% in 1999.
- What is the lowest prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 2019.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height?
- Zimbabwe ranks 22nd out of 85 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 128.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME). Aggregation is based on UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank harmonized dataset (adjusted, comparable data) and methodology., UN Children', published as part of Prevalence of severe wasting, weight for height (% of children under 5). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of severe wasting is the proportion of children under age 5 whose weight for height is more than three standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months.