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Underweight in adults — all countries

Underweight in adults — Botswana

Underweight in adults in Botswana in 2024 — 12.2%. Ranked 178 in the world out of 199. Since 1980, the indicator has fallen by 7.7 pp.

2024 12.2% −0.1 pp vs 2023
World rank 178of 199
Period maximum 19.9%1980
Period minimum 12.2%2024

Trend over time

1980–2024 · % of adults

Underweight in adults — Botswana, 1980–2024121416182019801985199019952000200520102015202020241980: 19.9%1981: 19.8%1982: 19.7%1983: 19.6%1984: 19.4%1985: 19.3%1986: 19.2%1987: 19%1988: 18.9%1989: 18.8%1990: 18.6%1991: 18.5%1992: 18.3%1993: 18.2%1994: 18.1%1995: 17.9%1996: 17.8%1997: 17.6%1998: 17.4%1999: 17.3%2000: 17.1%2001: 16.9%2002: 16.7%2003: 16.5%2004: 16.2%2005: 16%2006: 15.7%2007: 15.5%2008: 15.2%2009: 14.9%2010: 14.7%2011: 14.4%2012: 14.1%2013: 13.9%2014: 13.7%2015: 13.5%2016: 13.3%2017: 13.1%2018: 12.9%2019: 12.8%2020: 12.7%2021: 12.6%2022: 12.5%2023: 12.3%2024: 12.2%
Change over the period: −7.7 pp Annual average: -0.17 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Botswana

Botswana 12.2%
World computed 7.5%
Sub-Saharan Africa computed 12.1%
Southern Africa computed 6%
Upper-middle-income countries computed 4.6%
Underweight in adults — Botswana, by year Botswana All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 12.2 −0.1 pp
2023 12.3 −0.1 pp
2022 12.5 −0.1 pp
2021 12.6 −0.1 pp
2020 12.7 −0.1 pp
2019 12.8 −0.1 pp
2018 12.9 −0.2 pp
2017 13.1 −0.2 pp
2016 13.3 −0.2 pp
2015 13.5 −0.2 pp
2014 13.7 −0.2 pp
2013 13.9 −0.2 pp
2012 14.1 −0.3 pp
2011 14.4 −0.3 pp
2010 14.7 −0.3 pp
2009 14.9 −0.3 pp
2008 15.2 −0.3 pp
2007 15.5 −0.3 pp
2006 15.7 −0.2 pp
2005 16 −0.2 pp
2004 16.2 −0.2 pp
2003 16.5 −0.2 pp
2002 16.7 −0.2 pp
2001 16.9 −0.2 pp
2000 17.1 −0.2 pp
1999 17.3 −0.2 pp
1998 17.4 −0.2 pp
1997 17.6 −0.2 pp
1996 17.8 −0.2 pp
1995 17.9 −0.1 pp
1994 18.1 −0.1 pp
1993 18.2 −0.1 pp
1992 18.3 −0.1 pp
1991 18.5 −0.1 pp
1990 18.6 −0.1 pp
1989 18.8 −0.1 pp
1988 18.9 −0.1 pp
1987 19 −0.1 pp
1986 19.2 −0.1 pp
1985 19.3 −0.1 pp
1984 19.4 −0.1 pp
1983 19.6 −0.1 pp
1982 19.7 −0.1 pp
1981 19.8 −0.1 pp
1980 19.9 —

Southern Africa, 2024

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

SZ Eswatini 4.6 ZA South Africa 5.3 LS Lesotho 8.7 BW Botswana 12.2 NA Namibia 12.6
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The share of people aged 18 and over with a body mass index below 18.5 kg/m². The indicator moves in the direction opposite to obesity, and together they describe what is called the double burden of malnutrition: in many middle-income countries both shares are high at once — underweight persists in the countryside, obesity has already come to the city. The largest values are given by South Asia and the Horn of Africa.

Important: The aggregate by group is weighted by the whole population rather than the adult one. Underweight in adults and undernourishment are different indicators: the first measures the body, the second the intake of calories.

Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Other indicators for Botswana

Nutrition Obesity in adults

The share of adults with a body mass index of 30 and above. The WHO series runs from 1980.

Botswana by year Nutrition Prevalence of undernourishment

The share of the population whose calorie intake is below the minimum requirement.

Botswana by year Nutrition Stunting in children

The share of children under five whose height is markedly below the norm for their age.

Botswana by year Nutrition Tobacco use prevalence

The share of adults who use tobacco in any form.

Botswana by year Nutrition Access to clean water

The share of the population with access to basic sources of drinking water.

Botswana by year Nutrition Access to basic sanitation

The share of the population with access to improved sanitation and hygiene conditions.

Botswana by year
All indicators for Botswana