Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana
Botswana: Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) was 12.2% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana is 12.2%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of down 0.8% on the previous year and down 10.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana peaked at 19.9% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 12.2%, in 2024.
That places Botswana 22nd out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 45 years of available data.
Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 19.9% | — |
| 1981 | 19.8% | -0.6% |
| 1982 | 19.7% | -0.6% |
| 1983 | 19.6% | -0.6% |
| 1984 | 19.4% | -0.6% |
| 1985 | 19.3% | -0.7% |
| 1986 | 19.2% | -0.7% |
| 1987 | 19.0% | -0.7% |
| 1988 | 18.9% | -0.7% |
| 1989 | 18.8% | -0.7% |
| 1990 | 18.6% | -0.7% |
| 1991 | 18.5% | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 18.3% | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 18.2% | -0.7% |
| 1994 | 18.1% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 17.9% | -0.8% |
| 1996 | 17.8% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 17.6% | -0.9% |
| 1998 | 17.4% | -0.9% |
| 1999 | 17.3% | -1.0% |
| 2000 | 17.1% | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 16.9% | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 16.7% | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 16.5% | -1.3% |
| 2004 | 16.2% | -1.4% |
| 2005 | 16.0% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 15.7% | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 15.5% | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 15.2% | -1.7% |
| 2009 | 14.9% | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 14.7% | -1.8% |
| 2011 | 14.4% | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 14.1% | -1.8% |
| 2013 | 13.9% | -1.7% |
| 2014 | 13.7% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 13.5% | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 13.3% | -1.5% |
| 2017 | 13.1% | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 12.9% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 12.8% | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 12.7% | -1.0% |
| 2021 | 12.6% | -0.9% |
| 2022 | 12.5% | -0.9% |
| 2023 | 12.3% | -0.9% |
| 2024 | 12.2% | -0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 19.4% | 18.8% | 19.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.0% | 17.3% | 18.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.1% | 14.9% | 17.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.6% | 12.8% | 14.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.5% | 12.2% | 12.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More health data for Botswana
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.75 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.2265 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,150 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 281 deaths (2100)
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- Population ages 65-69, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per capita 0.0076 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, annual growth rate -0.7287 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per capita 0.0062 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana?
- Underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) in Botswana was 12.2% in 2024, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 19.9% in 1980.
- What is the lowest underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.2% in 2024.
- How does Botswana rank for underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate)?
- Botswana ranks 22nd out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (age-standardized estimate) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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