Prevalence of stunting, height for age in China
China: Prevalence of stunting, height for age was 4.8% in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of stunting, height for age in China, 1987–2017
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
The most recent figure for prevalence of stunting, height for age in China is 4.8%, measured in 2017. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
That represents a change of down 51.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of stunting, height for age in China peaked at 38.3% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 2017.
China ranks 88th of 97 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence of stunting, height for age in China, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 38.3% | — |
| 1990 | 32.3% | -15.7% |
| 1992 | 38.0% | +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 | 9.0% | -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 | 30.3% | 19.8% | 38.0% | 4 |
| 2000s | 14.0% | 9.0% | 21.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 7.4% | 4.8% | 9.4% | 3 |
Countries ranked near China
- 85 Azerbaijan 6.6% compare
- 86 Uzbekistan 6.5% compare
- 87 Türkiye 6.0% compare
- 88 Iran, Islamic Republic of 4.8% compare
- 90 Jamaica 4.6% compare
- 91 United States of America 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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,029 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,642 deaths (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of stunting, height for age in China?
- Prevalence of stunting, height for age in China was 4.8% in 2017, 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 stunting, height for age recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 38.3% in 1987.
- What is the lowest prevalence of stunting, height for age recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 2017.
- How does China rank for prevalence of stunting, height for age?
- China ranks 88th out of 97 countries with data for 2017.
- Is prevalence of stunting, height for age 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, 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 stunting, height for age (% of children under 5). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of stunting is the percentage of children under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.