Malawi—Child Underweight (<5 years, %)
Category: HealthSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #45 of 162Updated May 2026
Latest Value
12.8%
2020
YoY Change
+18.5%
2019 → 2020
Global Rank
#45
of 162 countries
Maximum
26.5%
1995
Minimum
10.8%
2019
CAGR
-2.3%
16 years
Last
12.8%
Previous
10.8%
Highest
26.5%
Lowest
10.8%
Unit
Percent
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Malawi's child underweight (<5 years, %) was 12.8% in 2020, ranking #45 out of 162 countries. This represents a +18.5% change from 2019. Over the past 16 years, the highest recorded value was 26.5% (1995) and the lowest was 10.8% (2019). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12.8% | +18.5% |
| 2019 | 10.8% | -6.1% |
| 2018 | 11.5% | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 12.3% | -15.8% |
| 2016 | 14.6% | +23.7% |
| 2015 | 11.8% | -29.3% |
| 2014 | 16.7% | +20.1% |
| 2010 | 13.9% | +18.8% |
| 2009 | 11.7% | -25.0% |
| 2006 | 15.6% | -16.1% |
| 2004 | 18.6% | -14.3% |
| 2002 | 21.7% | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 21.5% | -8.5% |
| 1998 | 23.5% | -11.3% |
| 1995 | 26.5% | +8.6% |
| 1992 | 24.4% |
Top Countries — Child Underweight (<5 years, %)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yemen, Rep. | 40.7% | 2022 |
| 2 | Eritrea | 39.4% | 2010 |
| 3 | Niger | 34.6% | 2022 |
| 4 | Sudan | 33.0% | 2014 |
| 5 | Timor-Leste | 31.9% | 2020 |
| 6 | India | 31.5% | 2020 |
| 7 | Burundi | 28.3% | 2024 |
| 8 | Papua New Guinea | 27.8% | 2010 |
| 9 | South Sudan | 27.7% | 2010 |
| 10 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 25.0% | 2023 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Child Underweight Prevalence (<5 years) — WHO Global Health Observatory.
Unit
Percent