Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 17.2% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central stood at 17.2%. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 37.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central peaked at 17.2% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 12.2%, in 2016.
Africa Western and Central ranks 12th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 15.8% | — |
| 2002 | 15.3% | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 14.9% | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 14.4% | -3.4% |
| 2005 | 13.9% | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 13.4% | -3.7% |
| 2007 | 12.9% | -3.7% |
| 2008 | 12.5% | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 12.3% | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 12.4% | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 12.6% | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 12.7% | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 12.5% | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 12.3% | -1.7% |
| 2016 | 12.2% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 12.4% | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 12.4% | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 13.1% | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 13.8% | +4.9% |
| 2021 | 14.8% | +7.8% |
| 2022 | 15.7% | +6.1% |
| 2023 | 16.7% | +5.9% |
| 2024 | 17.2% | +3.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.9% | 12.3% | 15.8% | 9 |
| 2010s | 12.6% | 12.2% | 13.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.6% | 13.8% | 17.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
- 9 Kenya 34.9% compare
- 10 Chad 33.6% compare
- 11 Papua New Guinea 30.5% compare
- 12 Central African Republic 29.8% compare
- 13 Afghanistan 27.8% compare
- 14 Solomon Islands 27.0% compare
- 15 Sierra Leone 25.3% compare
More health data for Africa Western and Central
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0326 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, annual growth rate 2.75 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per capita 0.0278 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, annual growth rate 2.24 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per capita 0.0277 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, annual growth rate 2.22 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 25-29, male, per capita 0.0388 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central was 17.2% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 17.2% in 2024.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.2% in 2016.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 12th out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.