Weight-for-height <-2 SD in South Africa

South Africa: Weight-for-height <-2 SD was 3.6 in 2017. ▼ Falling

Latest (2017)
3.6
Change on year
up 46.9%
World rank
55th
of 98 countries
All-time high
5.4
in 2008
All-time low
2.45
in 2016
Years of data
6
1994–2017

Weight-for-height <-2 SD in South Africa, 1994–2017

02461994200520171994: 3.31999: 4.52008: 5.42015: 3.42016: 2.52017: 3.6

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

The most recent figure for weight-for-height <-2 sd in South Africa is 3.6, measured in 2017.

The figure is up 46.9% on the previous year and down 33.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, weight-for-height <-2 sd in South Africa peaked at 5.4 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 2.45, in 2016.

That places South Africa 55th out of 98 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 3.9 3.3 4.5 2
2000s 5.4 5.4 5.4 1
2010s 3.15 2.45 3.6 3

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 52 Saudi Arabia 3.9 compare
  2. 53 Mozambique 3.8 compare
  3. 54 Afghanistan 3.63 compare
  4. 56 Azerbaijan 3.52 compare
  5. 57 Kuwait 3.52 compare
  6. 58 Romania 3.48 compare

See the full ranking of 154 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is weight-for-height <-2 sd in South Africa?
Weight-for-height <-2 sd in South Africa was 3.6 in 2017, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest weight-for-height <-2 sd recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 5.4 in 2008.
What is the lowest weight-for-height <-2 sd recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 2.45 in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for weight-for-height <-2 sd?
South Africa ranks 55th out of 98 countries with data for 2017.
Is weight-for-height <-2 sd rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. 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-height <-2 SD (wasting). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Weight-for-height <-2 SD in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 22 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/weight-for-height-2-sd-wasting/south-africa/

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<a href="https://health.statizoid.com/stat/weight-for-height-2-sd-wasting/south-africa/">Weight-for-height <-2 SD in South Africa</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Weight-for-height <-2 SD (wasting)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
154 places, 2,355 data points, 1985–2024
Last refreshed