Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in China
China: Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) was 2.4 in 2013. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2013)
2.4
Change on year
down 29.4%
World rank
84th
of 95 countries
All-time high
18.7
in 1987
All-time low
2.4
in 2013
Years of data
12
1987–2013
Weight-for-age <-2 SD in China, 1987–2013
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2013, weight-for-age <-2 sd in China stood at 2.4. That is the lowest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is down 29.4% on the previous year and down 64.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-age <-2 sd in China peaked at 18.7 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 2.4, in 2013.
China ranks 84th of 95 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 18.7 | — |
| 1990 | 12.6 | -32.6% |
| 1992 | 14.2 | +12.7% |
| 1995 | 10.7 | -24.6% |
| 1998 | 6.9 | -35.5% |
| 2000 | 7.4 | +7.2% |
| 2002 | 6.8 | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 4.5 | -33.8% |
| 2008 | 3.8 | -15.6% |
| 2009 | 3.4 | -10.5% |
| 2010 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 2.4 | -29.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2.4 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.09, 59% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- China's 2.4 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 15.3, 16% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 18.7 | 18.7 | 18.7 | 1 |
| 1990s | 11.1 | 6.9 | 14.2 | 4 |
| 2000s | 5.18 | 3.4 | 7.4 | 5 |
| 2010s | 2.9 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 2 |
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,642 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0176 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-age <-2 sd in China?
- Weight-for-age <-2 sd in China was 2.4 in 2013, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 18.7 in 1987.
- What is the lowest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4 in 2013.
- How does China rank for weight-for-age <-2 sd?
- China ranks 84th out of 95 countries with data for 2013.
- Is weight-for-age <-2 sd rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 64.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 12 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).