Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in China
China: Prevalence of underweight, weight for age was 2.4% in 2013. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in China, 1987–2013
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
China recorded 2.4% for prevalence of underweight, weight for age in 2013. That is the lowest value across all 12 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 29.4% on the previous year and down 64.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of underweight, weight for age in China peaked at 18.7% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 2.4%, in 2013.
China ranks 85th of 96 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 underweight, weight for age in China, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 18.7% | — |
| 1990 | 12.6% | -32.6% |
| 1992 | 14.2% | +12.7% |
| 1995 | 10.7% | -24.6% |
| 1998 | 6.9% | -35.5% |
| 2000 | 7.4% | +7.2% |
| 2002 | 6.8% | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | -33.8% |
| 2008 | 3.8% | -15.6% |
| 2009 | 3.4% | -10.5% |
| 2010 | 3.4% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 2.4% | -29.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2.4% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.0%, 59% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- China's 2.4% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 15.3%, 16% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 18.7% | 18.7% | 18.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 11.1% | 6.9% | 14.2% | 4 |
| 2000s | 5.2% | 3.4% | 7.4% | 5 |
| 2010s | 2.9% | 2.4% | 3.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near China
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 underweight, weight for age in China?
- Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in China was 2.4% in 2013, 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 underweight, weight for age recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 18.7% in 1987.
- What is the lowest prevalence of underweight, weight for age recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4% in 2013.
- How does China rank for prevalence of underweight, weight for age?
- China ranks 85th out of 96 countries with data for 2013.
- Is prevalence of underweight, weight for age rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 64.7%. 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 underweight, weight for age (% of children under 5). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of underweight children is the percentage of children under age 5 whose weight for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. The data are based on the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.