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Underweight in adults — all countries

Underweight in adults — Low-income countries

Underweight in adults in low-income countries in 2024 — 13.8%. Since 1980, the indicator has fallen by 8.7 pp.

2024 13.8% −0.1 pp vs 2023
World rank —
Period maximum 22.4%1980
Period minimum 13.8%2024

Trend over time

1980–2024 · % of adults

Underweight in adults — Low-income countries, 1980–202412.51517.52022.519801985199019952000200520102015202020241980: 22.4%1981: 22.1%1982: 21.9%1983: 21.7%1984: 21.4%1985: 21.2%1986: 21%1987: 20.8%1988: 20.6%1989: 20.5%1990: 20.3%1991: 20.1%1992: 20%1993: 19.8%1994: 19.7%1995: 19.6%1996: 19.4%1997: 19.2%1998: 19%1999: 18.8%2000: 18.6%2001: 18.4%2002: 18.2%2003: 18%2004: 17.8%2005: 17.5%2006: 17.3%2007: 17%2008: 16.7%2009: 16.5%2010: 16.2%2011: 16%2012: 15.7%2013: 15.5%2014: 15.3%2015: 15.1%2016: 14.9%2017: 14.7%2018: 14.5%2019: 14.4%2020: 14.2%2021: 14.1%2022: 14%2023: 13.9%2024: 13.8%
Change over the period: −8.7 pp Annual average: -0.2 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Low-income countries

Low-income countries 13.8%
World computed 7.5%
Underweight in adults — Low-income countries, by year Low-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 13.8 −0.1 pp
2023 13.9 −0.1 pp
2022 14 −0.1 pp
2021 14.1 −0.1 pp
2020 14.2 −0.1 pp
2019 14.4 −0.2 pp
2018 14.5 −0.2 pp
2017 14.7 −0.2 pp
2016 14.9 −0.2 pp
2015 15.1 −0.2 pp
2014 15.3 −0.2 pp
2013 15.5 −0.2 pp
2012 15.7 −0.2 pp
2011 16 −0.3 pp
2010 16.2 −0.3 pp
2009 16.5 −0.3 pp
2008 16.7 −0.3 pp
2007 17 −0.3 pp
2006 17.3 −0.3 pp
2005 17.5 −0.2 pp
2004 17.8 −0.2 pp
2003 18 −0.2 pp
2002 18.2 −0.2 pp
2001 18.4 −0.2 pp
2000 18.6 −0.2 pp
1999 18.8 −0.2 pp
1998 19 −0.2 pp
1997 19.2 −0.2 pp
1996 19.4 −0.2 pp
1995 19.6 −0.1 pp
1994 19.7 −0.1 pp
1993 19.8 −0.1 pp
1992 20 −0.2 pp
1991 20.1 −0.2 pp
1990 20.3 −0.2 pp
1989 20.5 −0.2 pp
1988 20.6 −0.2 pp
1987 20.8 −0.2 pp
1986 21 −0.2 pp
1985 21.2 −0.2 pp
1984 21.4 −0.2 pp
1983 21.7 −0.2 pp
1982 21.9 −0.3 pp
1981 22.1 −0.3 pp
1980 22.4 —

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 low-income countries

Nutrition Obesity in adults

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

Low-income countries by year Nutrition Prevalence of undernourishment

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

Low-income countries by year Nutrition Stunting in children

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

Low-income countries by year Nutrition Tobacco use prevalence

The share of adults who use tobacco in any form.

Low-income countries by year Nutrition Access to clean water

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

Low-income countries by year Nutrition Access to basic sanitation

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

Low-income countries by year
All indicators for low-income countries