Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 18.4% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of undernourishment in Zimbabwe, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Zimbabwe is 18.4%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
That represents a change of down 8.5% on the previous year and down 45.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Zimbabwe peaked at 34.5% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 18.4%, in 2024.
That places Zimbabwe 31st out of 171 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 32.8% | — |
| 2002 | 31.8% | -3.0% |
| 2003 | 31.4% | -1.3% |
| 2004 | 30.6% | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 29.5% | -3.6% |
| 2006 | 28.7% | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 27.9% | -2.8% |
| 2008 | 27.1% | -2.9% |
| 2009 | 28.0% | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 29.2% | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 29.9% | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 29.6% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 31.2% | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 33.5% | +7.4% |
| 2015 | 34.5% | +3.0% |
| 2016 | 33.2% | -3.8% |
| 2017 | 32.0% | -3.6% |
| 2018 | 31.4% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 30.0% | -4.5% |
| 2020 | 28.2% | -6.0% |
| 2021 | 25.6% | -9.2% |
| 2022 | 22.7% | -11.3% |
| 2023 | 20.1% | -11.5% |
| 2024 | 18.4% | -8.5% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 18.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.1%, 1.7× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 18.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.8%, 98% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.8% | 27.1% | 32.8% | 9 |
| 2010s | 31.4% | 29.2% | 34.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.0% | 18.4% | 28.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,457 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0701 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Zimbabwe?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Zimbabwe was 18.4% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 34.5% in 2015.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.4% in 2024.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Zimbabwe ranks 31st out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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%.