Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in Namibia
Namibia: Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) was 12.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Underweight among adults, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in Namibia, 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 Namibia is 12.9%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of down 1.2% on the previous year and down 13.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in Namibia peaked at 20.9% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 12.9%, in 2024.
That places Namibia 18th out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
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 Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 20.9% | — |
| 1981 | 20.8% | -0.4% |
| 1982 | 20.8% | -0.4% |
| 1983 | 20.6% | -0.5% |
| 1984 | 20.5% | -0.5% |
| 1985 | 20.4% | -0.5% |
| 1986 | 20.3% | -0.6% |
| 1987 | 20.2% | -0.6% |
| 1988 | 20.1% | -0.6% |
| 1989 | 19.9% | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 19.7% | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 19.6% | -0.7% |
| 1992 | 19.5% | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 19.3% | -0.7% |
| 1994 | 19.2% | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 19.1% | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 18.9% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 18.8% | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 18.6% | -0.9% |
| 1999 | 18.4% | -1.0% |
| 2000 | 18.2% | -1.0% |
| 2001 | 18.0% | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 17.8% | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 17.6% | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 17.4% | -1.2% |
| 2005 | 17.2% | -1.3% |
| 2006 | 16.9% | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 16.7% | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 16.5% | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 16.2% | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 16.0% | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 15.7% | -1.7% |
| 2012 | 15.4% | -1.7% |
| 2013 | 15.2% | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 14.9% | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 14.6% | -1.9% |
| 2016 | 14.3% | -1.8% |
| 2017 | 14.1% | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 13.9% | -1.5% |
| 2019 | 13.7% | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 13.5% | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 13.3% | -1.4% |
| 2022 | 13.2% | -1.2% |
| 2023 | 13.0% | -1.1% |
| 2024 | 12.9% | -1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 20.5% | 19.9% | 20.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 19.1% | 18.4% | 19.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 17.3% | 16.2% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.8% | 13.7% | 16.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.2% | 12.9% | 13.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More health data for Namibia
- 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 0.6445 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,046 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 561 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 65-69, male, annual growth rate 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per capita 0.0065 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, annual growth rate 3.22 % 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 0.0061 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in Namibia?
- Underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) in Namibia was 12.9% 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 Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 20.9% in 1980.
- What is the lowest underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.9% in 2024.
- How does Namibia rank for underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate)?
- Namibia ranks 18th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is underweight among adults, bmi < 18.5 kg/m2 (crude estimate) rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Namibia 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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