Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in South Africa
South Africa: Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) was 4.9 in 2017. ▼ Falling
Latest (2017)
4.9
Change on year
down 16.8%
World rank
63rd
of 95 countries
All-time high
9.8
in 1999
All-time low
4.9
in 2017
Years of data
6
1994–2017
Weight-for-age <-2 SD in South Africa, 1994–2017
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2017, weight-for-age <-2 sd in South Africa stood at 4.9. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 16.8% on the previous year and down 46.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-age <-2 sd in South Africa peaked at 9.8 in 1999 and was at its lowest, 4.9, in 2017.
South Africa ranks 63rd of 95 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Weight-for-age <-2 SD (Underweight) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 8 | — |
| 1999 | 9.8 | +22.5% |
| 2008 | 9.1 | -7.1% |
| 2015 | 5.7 | -37.4% |
| 2016 | 5.89 | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 4.9 | -16.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 4.9 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.09, 1.2× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 4.9 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.29, 34% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.9 | 8 | 9.8 | 2 |
| 2000s | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 1 |
| 2010s | 5.5 | 4.9 | 5.89 | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % 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 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % 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 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-age <-2 sd in South Africa?
- Weight-for-age <-2 sd in South Africa was 4.9 in 2017, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 9.8 in 1999.
- What is the lowest weight-for-age <-2 sd recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.9 in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for weight-for-age <-2 sd?
- South Africa ranks 63rd out of 95 countries with data for 2017.
- Is weight-for-age <-2 sd rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa 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 — 6 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).