Stunting in children in Sri Lanka in 2024 — 10.5%. Ranked 1 in the world out of 6. Since 1987, the indicator has fallen by 20.7 pp.
1987–2024 · % of children under 5
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10.5 | +0.2 pp |
| 2023 | 10.3 | +1.1 pp |
| 2022 | 9.2 | +1.8 pp |
| 2021 | 7.4 | −0.8 pp |
| 2020 | 8.2 | −0.2 pp |
| 2019 | 8.4 | — |
| 2016 | 17.3 | — |
| 2012 | 14.6 | — |
| 2009 | 19.2 | — |
| 2007 | 18.1 | — |
| 2000 | 18.3 | — |
| 1995 | 26.1 | — |
| 1993 | 28.7 | — |
| 1987 | 31.2 | — |
The share of children under five whose height falls short of the WHO norm for their age by more than two standard deviations. Stunting is the trace of a prolonged shortage of nutrition in the first years of life, and it is irreversible: height cannot be made up later. That is why the indicator is considered the main measure of chronic undernutrition, unlike wasting, which speaks of an acute shortage of food right now.
Important: The data come from sample household surveys and are not annual: for the intervening years there are no values. The aggregate by country group is weighted by the number of children aged 0–14 — it cannot be weighted by population, the share of small children is too different.
Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
The share of children under five whose weight is markedly below the norm for their height.
Nutrition Underweight childrenThe share of children under 5 whose weight is insufficient for their age.
Nutrition Prevalence of undernourishmentThe share of the population whose calorie intake is below the minimum requirement.
Mortality Under-five mortality rateThe probability of dying before the fifth birthday — per 1,000 live births.
