Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China
China: Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) was 3.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China, 1980–2024
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China is 3.9%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.2% on the previous year and down 31.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China peaked at 13.6% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 3.9%, in 2024.
That places China 85th out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 45 years of available data.
Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 13.6% | — |
| 1981 | 13.4% | -1.7% |
| 1982 | 13.1% | -1.8% |
| 1983 | 12.8% | -2.1% |
| 1984 | 12.6% | -2.1% |
| 1985 | 12.3% | -2.1% |
| 1986 | 12.0% | -2.1% |
| 1987 | 11.8% | -2.3% |
| 1988 | 11.5% | -2.6% |
| 1989 | 11.2% | -2.6% |
| 1990 | 10.9% | -2.6% |
| 1991 | 10.6% | -2.7% |
| 1992 | 10.3% | -2.8% |
| 1993 | 10.0% | -3.1% |
| 1994 | 9.7% | -3.1% |
| 1995 | 9.4% | -3.0% |
| 1996 | 9.1% | -2.9% |
| 1997 | 8.9% | -2.7% |
| 1998 | 8.6% | -2.7% |
| 1999 | 8.4% | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 8.2% | -2.1% |
| 2001 | 8.1% | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 7.9% | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 7.7% | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 7.6% | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 7.4% | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 7.3% | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 7.1% | -2.1% |
| 2008 | 7.0% | -2.1% |
| 2009 | 6.8% | -2.4% |
| 2010 | 6.6% | -3.0% |
| 2011 | 6.4% | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 6.2% | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 6.0% | -3.5% |
| 2014 | 5.7% | -3.7% |
| 2015 | 5.5% | -4.1% |
| 2016 | 5.3% | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 5.1% | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 4.9% | -3.8% |
| 2019 | 4.7% | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 4.5% | -3.8% |
| 2021 | 4.3% | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 4.2% | -3.5% |
| 2023 | 4.1% | -3.3% |
| 2024 | 3.9% | -3.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 12.4% | 11.2% | 13.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 9.6% | 8.4% | 10.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.5% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.6% | 4.7% | 6.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 3.9% | 4.5% | 5 |
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)
- Population ages 15-19, male, annual growth rate 1.88 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-19, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-19, male, per capita 0.0323 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, annual growth rate -0.8061 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, per capita 0.0256 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China?
- Underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in China was 3.9% in 2024, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 13.6% in 1980.
- What is the lowest underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.9% in 2024.
- How does China rank for underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate)?
- China ranks 85th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China 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 (crude estimate) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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