Prevalence of stunting, height for age in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence of stunting, height for age was 21.3% in 2017. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of stunting, height for age in South Africa, 1994–2017
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 South Africa is 21.3%, measured in 2017.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 22.3% on the previous year and down 14.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of stunting, height for age in South Africa peaked at 30.1% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 21.2%, in 2015.
That places South Africa 43rd out of 97 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.
Prevalence of stunting, height for age in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 28.7% | — |
| 1999 | 30.1% | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 25.0% | -16.9% |
| 2015 | 21.2% | -15.2% |
| 2016 | 27.4% | +29.2% |
| 2017 | 21.3% | -22.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 21.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.5%, 2.0× the median. (27 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 21.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.5%, 75% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 29.4% | 28.7% | 30.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 25.0% | 25.0% | 25.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 23.3% | 21.2% | 27.4% | 3 |
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 stunting, height for age in South Africa?
- Prevalence of stunting, height for age in South Africa was 21.3% 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 30.1% in 1999.
- What is the lowest prevalence of stunting, height for age recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.2% in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence of stunting, height for age?
- South Africa ranks 43rd out of 97 countries with data for 2017.
- Is prevalence of stunting, height for age rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa 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.