Weight-for-height >+2 SD (overweight) in Malawi
Malawi: Weight-for-height >+2 SD (overweight) was 1.35 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Weight-for-height >+2 SD in Malawi, 1992–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for weight-for-height >+2 sd in Malawi is 1.35, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 81.3% on the previous year and down 85.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-height >+2 sd in Malawi peaked at 17.3 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 1.35, in 2020.
That places Malawi 85th out of 92 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Weight-for-height >+2 SD (overweight) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 9.75 | — |
| 1998 | 17.3 | +77.3% |
| 2000 | 8.84 | -48.9% |
| 2002 | 10.01 | +13.3% |
| 2004 | 10.17 | +1.6% |
| 2006 | 11.31 | +11.2% |
| 2009 | 4.9 | -56.7% |
| 2010 | 9.03 | +84.3% |
| 2014 | 5.06 | -44.0% |
| 2015 | 4.6 | -9.0% |
| 2016 | 1.54 | -66.6% |
| 2017 | 1.65 | +7.1% |
| 2018 | 2.55 | +54.8% |
| 2019 | 7.25 | +184.6% |
| 2020 | 1.35 | -81.3% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 1.35 is below the median for low income countries, which is 2.17, 62% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 1.35 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.81, 48% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 13.52 | 9.75 | 17.3 | 2 |
| 2000s | 9.04 | 4.9 | 11.31 | 5 |
| 2010s | 4.53 | 1.54 | 9.03 | 7 |
| 2020s | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.61 % 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 0.0714 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.63 % 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 0.0718 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-height >+2 sd in Malawi?
- Weight-for-height >+2 sd in Malawi was 1.35 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-height >+2 sd recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 17.3 in 1998.
- What is the lowest weight-for-height >+2 sd recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.35 in 2020.
- How does Malawi rank for weight-for-height >+2 sd?
- Malawi ranks 85th out of 92 countries with data for 2020.
- Is weight-for-height >+2 sd rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Weight-for-height >+2 SD (overweight). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 15 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).