Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in Jamaica
Jamaica: Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) was 2.54 in 2018. ▼ Falling
Latest (2018)
2.54
Change on year
down 42.1%
World rank
82nd
of 95 countries
All-time high
6.12
in 1993
All-time low
1.77
in 2007
Years of data
22
1989–2018
Weight-for-age <-2 SD in Jamaica, 1989–2018
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for weight-for-age <-2 sd in Jamaica is 2.54, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 42.1% on the previous year and up 7.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-age <-2 sd in Jamaica peaked at 6.12 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 1.77, in 2007.
Jamaica ranks 82nd of 95 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5.81 | — |
| 1991 | 5.58 | -3.9% |
| 1992 | 5.72 | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 6.12 | +7.1% |
| 1994 | 4.6 | -24.9% |
| 1995 | 4.84 | +5.2% |
| 1996 | 5.57 | +15.2% |
| 1997 | 3.52 | -36.9% |
| 1998 | 3.78 | +7.4% |
| 1999 | 2.1 | -44.3% |
| 2000 | 3.89 | +84.9% |
| 2001 | 3.96 | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 2.75 | -30.6% |
| 2004 | 3.12 | +13.4% |
| 2006 | 4.85 | +55.4% |
| 2007 | 1.77 | -63.6% |
| 2008 | 2.37 | +33.9% |
| 2010 | 3.43 | +45.0% |
| 2012 | 2.67 | -22.2% |
| 2014 | 2.16 | -19.0% |
| 2016 | 4.39 | +103.1% |
| 2018 | 2.54 | -42.1% |
Jamaica compared with similar countries
- Jamaica's 2.54 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.09, 62% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Jamaica's 2.54 is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 3.56, 71% of the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5.81 | 5.81 | 5.81 | 1 |
| 1990s | 4.65 | 2.1 | 6.12 | 9 |
| 2000s | 3.24 | 1.77 | 4.85 | 7 |
| 2010s | 3.04 | 2.16 | 4.39 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
More health data for Jamaica
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -3.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.3325 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 31 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.64 % 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 0.0278 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.6 % 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 0.0288 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-age <-2 sd in Jamaica?
- Weight-for-age <-2 sd in Jamaica was 2.54 in 2018, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 6.12 in 1993.
- What is the lowest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.77 in 2007.
- How does Jamaica rank for weight-for-age <-2 sd?
- Jamaica ranks 82nd out of 95 countries with data for 2018.
- Is weight-for-age <-2 sd rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Jamaica 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 — 22 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).