Weight-for-height <-2 SD (wasting) in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Weight-for-height <-2 SD was 3.9 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
3.9
Change on year
down 13.3%
World rank
52nd
of 98 countries
All-time high
11.8
in 2004
All-time low
2.9
in 1994
Years of data
8
1994–2020
Weight-for-height <-2 SD in Saudi Arabia, 1994–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for weight-for-height <-2 sd in Saudi Arabia is 3.9, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 13.3% on the previous year and down 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, weight-for-height <-2 sd in Saudi Arabia peaked at 11.8 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 2.9, in 1994.
That places Saudi Arabia 52nd out of 98 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
Weight-for-height <-2 SD in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 2.9 | — |
| 2004 | 11.8 | +306.9% |
| 2015 | 4.3 | -63.6% |
| 2016 | 3.4 | -20.9% |
| 2017 | 4.6 | +35.3% |
| 2018 | 3.9 | -15.2% |
| 2019 | 4.5 | +15.4% |
| 2020 | 3.9 | -13.3% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9 is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.46, 1.6× the median. (12 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 3.9 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 3.58, 1.1× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.14 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 5 |
| 2020s | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 49 Iran 4.3 compare
- 50 Zambia 4.23 compare
- 51 Venezuela 4.1 compare
- 53 Mozambique 3.8 compare
- 54 Afghanistan 3.63 compare
- 55 South Africa 3.6 compare
More health data for Saudi Arabia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8373 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.3736 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 483.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 829 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 5.31 % 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 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 5.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is weight-for-height <-2 sd in Saudi Arabia?
- Weight-for-height <-2 sd in Saudi Arabia was 3.9 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest weight-for-height <-2 sd recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 11.8 in 2004.
- What is the lowest weight-for-height <-2 sd recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9 in 1994.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for weight-for-height <-2 sd?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 52nd out of 98 countries with data for 2020.
- Is weight-for-height <-2 sd rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Weight-for-height <-2 SD (wasting). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).