Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) was 11.98 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
11.98
Change on year
down 11.6%
World rank
38th
of 95 countries
All-time high
27.15
in 2005
All-time low
11.9
in 2017
Years of data
9
1989–2021
Weight-for-age <-2 SD in Sierra Leone, 1989–2021
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Sierra Leone recorded 11.98 for weight-for-age <-2 sd in 2021.
The figure is down 11.6% on the previous year and down 35.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-age <-2 sd in Sierra Leone peaked at 27.15 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 11.9, in 2017.
That places Sierra Leone 38th out of 95 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23.7 | — |
| 1990 | 25.4 | +7.2% |
| 2000 | 23.42 | -7.8% |
| 2005 | 27.15 | +15.9% |
| 2010 | 18.52 | -31.8% |
| 2014 | 13 | -29.8% |
| 2017 | 11.9 | -8.5% |
| 2019 | 13.54 | +13.8% |
| 2021 | 11.98 | -11.6% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 11.98 is below the median for low income countries, which is 16.94, 71% of the median. (21 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 11.98 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.29, 84% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 23.7 | 23.7 | 23.7 | 1 |
| 1990s | 25.4 | 25.4 | 25.4 | 1 |
| 2000s | 25.29 | 23.42 | 27.15 | 2 |
| 2010s | 14.24 | 11.9 | 18.52 | 4 |
| 2020s | 11.98 | 11.98 | 11.98 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More health data for Sierra Leone
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.34 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.773 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,209 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.6447 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0663 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.6611 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0676 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-age <-2 sd in Sierra Leone?
- Weight-for-age <-2 sd in Sierra Leone was 11.98 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 27.15 in 2005.
- What is the lowest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.9 in 2017.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for weight-for-age <-2 sd?
- Sierra Leone ranks 38th out of 95 countries with data for 2021.
- Is weight-for-age <-2 sd rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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 — 9 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).