Underweight children in Sri Lanka in 2024 — 17.1%. Ranked 5 in the world out of 6. Since 1987, the indicator has fallen by 12.4 pp.
1987–2024 · % of children under 5
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sri Lanka
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.1 | +0 pp |
| 2023 | 17.1 | +1.8 pp |
| 2022 | 15.3 | +3.1 pp |
| 2021 | 12.2 | −0.9 pp |
| 2020 | 13.1 | −0.9 pp |
| 2019 | 14 | — |
| 2016 | 20.5 | — |
| 2012 | 26.1 | — |
| 2009 | 21.6 | — |
| 2007 | 22.1 | — |
| 2000 | 22.9 | — |
| 1995 | 29.3 | — |
| 1993 | 29.1 | — |
| 1987 | 29.5 | — |
The share of children under the age of five whose weight is more than two standard deviations below the median of the WHO growth standards. The indicator reflects a combination of chronic and acute undernutrition and remains one of the most accurate indicators of poverty: it depends little on the methodology of income accounting.
Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
The share of children under five whose height is markedly below the norm for their age.
Nutrition Wasting in childrenThe share of children under five whose weight is markedly below the norm for their height.
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.
