Underweight in adults in South Africa in 2024 — 5.3%. Ranked 128 in the world out of 199. Since 1980, the indicator has fallen by 6.3 pp.
1980–2024 · % of adults
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2023 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2022 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2021 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2020 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2019 | 5.3 | +0 pp |
| 2018 | 5.2 | −0 pp |
| 2017 | 5.3 | −0 pp |
| 2016 | 5.3 | −0 pp |
| 2015 | 5.3 | −0 pp |
| 2014 | 5.4 | −0.1 pp |
| 2013 | 5.4 | −0.1 pp |
| 2012 | 5.5 | −0.1 pp |
| 2011 | 5.5 | −0.1 pp |
| 2010 | 5.6 | −0.1 pp |
| 2009 | 5.7 | −0.1 pp |
| 2008 | 5.8 | −0.1 pp |
| 2007 | 6 | −0.1 pp |
| 2006 | 6.1 | −0.1 pp |
| 2005 | 6.2 | −0.1 pp |
| 2004 | 6.4 | −0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 6.5 | −0.1 pp |
| 2002 | 6.7 | −0.1 pp |
| 2001 | 6.8 | −0.2 pp |
| 2000 | 7 | −0.2 pp |
| 1999 | 7.1 | −0.2 pp |
| 1998 | 7.3 | −0.2 pp |
| 1997 | 7.4 | −0.2 pp |
| 1996 | 7.7 | −0.3 pp |
| 1995 | 8 | −0.3 pp |
| 1994 | 8.3 | −0.2 pp |
| 1993 | 8.5 | −0.2 pp |
| 1992 | 8.7 | −0.2 pp |
| 1991 | 8.9 | −0.2 pp |
| 1990 | 9.1 | −0.2 pp |
| 1989 | 9.3 | −0.2 pp |
| 1988 | 9.6 | −0.2 pp |
| 1987 | 9.8 | −0.2 pp |
| 1986 | 10.1 | −0.2 pp |
| 1985 | 10.3 | −0.3 pp |
| 1984 | 10.6 | −0.3 pp |
| 1983 | 10.8 | −0.3 pp |
| 1982 | 11.1 | −0.3 pp |
| 1981 | 11.4 | −0.3 pp |
| 1980 | 11.6 | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
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.
The share of adults with a body mass index of 30 and above. The WHO series runs from 1980.
Nutrition Prevalence of undernourishmentThe share of the population whose calorie intake is below the minimum requirement.
Nutrition Stunting in childrenThe share of children under five whose height is markedly below the norm for their age.
Nutrition Tobacco use prevalenceThe share of adults who use tobacco in any form.
Nutrition Access to clean waterThe share of the population with access to basic sources of drinking water.
Nutrition Access to basic sanitationThe share of the population with access to improved sanitation and hygiene conditions.
