Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Prevalence of underweight, weight for age was 9.6% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe, 1987–2024
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
Zimbabwe recorded 9.6% for prevalence of underweight, weight for age in 2024.
That represents a change of down 14.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe peaked at 14.0% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 8.0%, in 1988.
Zimbabwe ranks 51st of 96 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 10.5% | — |
| 1988 | 8.0% | -23.8% |
| 1994 | 11.8% | +47.5% |
| 1999 | 11.5% | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 14.0% | +21.7% |
| 2009 | 11.7% | -16.4% |
| 2010 | 10.2% | -12.8% |
| 2012 | 11.1% | +8.8% |
| 2014 | 11.2% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 8.5% | -24.1% |
| 2019 | 9.7% | +14.1% |
| 2024 | 9.6% | -1.0% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 9.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.6%, 83% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 9.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.3%, 67% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 9.2% | 8.0% | 10.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 11.7% | 11.5% | 11.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 12.8% | 11.7% | 14.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 10.1% | 8.5% | 11.2% | 5 |
| 2020s | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 1 |
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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 874.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,457 deaths (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe?
- Prevalence of underweight, weight for age in Zimbabwe was 9.6% 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 14.0% in 2005.
- What is the lowest prevalence of underweight, weight for age recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.0% in 1988.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for prevalence of underweight, weight for age?
- Zimbabwe ranks 51st out of 96 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of underweight, weight for age rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.