Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador
Ecuador: Prevalence of underweight, weight for age was 4.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador, 1986–2024
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
In 2024, prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador stood at 4.9%.
The figure is up 14.0% on the previous year and down 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador peaked at 14.5% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 4.3%, in 2023.
Ecuador ranks 62nd of 96 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 14.5% | — |
| 1999 | 10.4% | -28.3% |
| 2004 | 6.7% | -35.6% |
| 2006 | 6.8% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 6.4% | -5.9% |
| 2014 | 5.1% | -20.3% |
| 2023 | 4.3% | -15.7% |
| 2024 | 4.9% | +14.0% |
Ecuador compared with similar countries
- Ecuador's 4.9% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.0%, 1.2× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Ecuador's 4.9% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 3.7%, 1.3× the median. (17 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 14.5% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 10.4% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 6.8% | 6.7% | 6.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.8% | 5.1% | 6.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 4.6% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Ecuador
- 59 Tajikistan 5.2% compare
- 60 El Salvador 5.0% compare
- 60 Eswatini 5.0% compare
- 62 South Africa 4.9% compare
- 64 Nicaragua 4.6% compare
- 65 Iran, Islamic Republic of 4.3% compare
More health data for Ecuador
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6766 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,324 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 354 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.67 % 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 0.0362 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.67 % 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 Ecuador?
- Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Ecuador was 4.9% in 2024, 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 Ecuador?
- The highest recorded value was 14.5% in 1986.
- What is the lowest prevalence of underweight, weight for age recorded in Ecuador?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.3% in 2023.
- How does Ecuador rank for prevalence of underweight, weight for age?
- Ecuador ranks 62nd out of 96 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of underweight, weight for age rising or falling in Ecuador?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ecuador 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.