Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: Prevalence of undernourishment was 16.3% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central, 2001–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2023, prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central stood at 16.3%. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.7% on the previous year and up 29.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central peaked at 16.3% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 12.0%, in 2016.
Africa Western and Central ranks 12th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 15.8% | — |
| 2002 | 15.3% | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 14.9% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 14.3% | -3.6% |
| 2005 | 13.8% | -3.5% |
| 2006 | 13.3% | -3.6% |
| 2007 | 12.8% | -3.6% |
| 2008 | 12.5% | -3.1% |
| 2009 | 12.3% | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 12.4% | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 12.6% | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 12.6% | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 12.4% | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 12.1% | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 12.0% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 12.2% | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 12.4% | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 13.3% | +7.3% |
| 2020 | 13.9% | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 14.8% | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 15.5% | +4.7% |
| 2023 | 16.3% | +4.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.9% | 12.3% | 15.8% | 9 |
| 2010s | 12.5% | 12.0% | 13.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.1% | 13.9% | 16.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
- 9 Liberia 35.5% compare
- 10 Chad 32.0% compare
- 11 Central African Republic 29.8% compare
- 12 Papua New Guinea 28.7% compare
- 13 Afghanistan 28.1% compare
- 14 Congo 26.4% compare
- 15 Gabon 25.3% compare
More health data for Africa Western and Central
- Population ages 35-39, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, annual growth rate 2.59 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, per capita 0.0237 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 30-34, female, annual growth rate 2.27 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa Western and Central was 16.3% in 2023, 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 16.3% in 2023.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.0% 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 2023.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- 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%.