Prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Prevalence of wasting, weight for height was 3.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia, 1994–2020
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
The most recent figure for prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia is 3.9%, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 13.3% on the previous year and down 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia peaked at 11.8% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 1994.
Saudi Arabia ranks 52nd of 99 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of children under 5 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 2.9% | — |
| 2004 | 11.8% | +306.9% |
| 2015 | 4.3% | -63.6% |
| 2016 | 3.4% | -20.9% |
| 2017 | 4.6% | +35.3% |
| 2018 | 3.9% | -15.2% |
| 2019 | 4.5% | +15.4% |
| 2020 | 3.9% | -13.3% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.5%, 1.6× the median. (12 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 3.5%, 1.1× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.8% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 3.4% | 4.6% | 5 |
| 2020s | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 50 Zambia 4.2% compare
- 51 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 4.1% compare
- 53 Mozambique 3.8% compare
- 54 Afghanistan 3.6% compare
- 54 South Africa 3.6% compare
More health data for Saudi Arabia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8373 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.3736 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 483.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 829 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 5.31 % 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 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 5.38 % 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 wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia?
- Prevalence of wasting, weight for height in Saudi Arabia was 3.9% in 2020, 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 wasting, weight for height recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 11.8% in 2004.
- What is the lowest prevalence of wasting, weight for height recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 1994.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for prevalence of wasting, weight for height?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 52nd out of 99 countries with data for 2020.
- Is prevalence of wasting, weight for height rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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 wasting, weight for height (% of children under 5). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of wasting is the proportion of children under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months.