South Africa—Child Underweight (<5 years, %)
Category: HealthSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #84 of 162Updated April 2026
Latest Value
4.9%
2017
YoY Change
-16.9%
2016 → 2017
Global Rank
#84
of 162 countries
Maximum
9.8%
1999
Minimum
4.9%
2017
CAGR
-2.1%
6 years
Last
4.9%
Previous
5.9%
Highest
9.8%
Lowest
4.9%
Unit
Percent
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's child underweight (<5 years, %) was 4.9% in 2017, ranking #84 out of 162 countries. This represents a -16.9% change from 2016. Over the past 6 years, the highest recorded value was 9.8% (1999) and the lowest was 4.9% (2017). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4.9% | -16.9% |
| 2016 | 5.9% | +3.5% |
| 2015 | 5.7% | -37.4% |
| 2008 | 9.1% | -7.1% |
| 1999 | 9.8% | +22.5% |
| 1994 | 8.0% |
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