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Underweight in adults — all countries

Underweight in adults — Sub-Saharan Africa

Underweight in adults in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024 — 12.1%. Since 1980, the indicator has fallen by 7.2 pp.

2024 12.1% −0 pp vs 2023
World rank —
Period maximum 19.3%1980
Period minimum 12.1%2024

Trend over time

1980–2024 · % of adults

Underweight in adults — Sub-Saharan Africa, 1980–2024121416182019801985199019952000200520102015202020241980: 19.3%1981: 19.1%1982: 18.9%1983: 18.7%1984: 18.5%1985: 18.3%1986: 18.1%1987: 18%1988: 17.8%1989: 17.6%1990: 17.4%1991: 17.3%1992: 17.1%1993: 16.9%1994: 16.8%1995: 16.6%1996: 16.5%1997: 16.3%1998: 16.1%1999: 15.9%2000: 15.8%2001: 15.6%2002: 15.4%2003: 15.2%2004: 15%2005: 14.8%2006: 14.6%2007: 14.4%2008: 14.2%2009: 13.9%2010: 13.7%2011: 13.5%2012: 13.3%2013: 13.1%2014: 13%2015: 12.8%2016: 12.7%2017: 12.6%2018: 12.5%2019: 12.4%2020: 12.3%2021: 12.2%2022: 12.2%2023: 12.2%2024: 12.1%
Change over the period: −7.2 pp Annual average: -0.16 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa 12.1%
World computed 7.5%
Underweight in adults — Sub-Saharan Africa, by year Sub-Saharan Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 12.1 −0 pp
2023 12.2 −0 pp
2022 12.2 −0.1 pp
2021 12.2 −0.1 pp
2020 12.3 −0.1 pp
2019 12.4 −0.1 pp
2018 12.5 −0.1 pp
2017 12.6 −0.1 pp
2016 12.7 −0.1 pp
2015 12.8 −0.2 pp
2014 13 −0.2 pp
2013 13.1 −0.2 pp
2012 13.3 −0.2 pp
2011 13.5 −0.2 pp
2010 13.7 −0.2 pp
2009 13.9 −0.2 pp
2008 14.2 −0.2 pp
2007 14.4 −0.2 pp
2006 14.6 −0.2 pp
2005 14.8 −0.2 pp
2004 15 −0.2 pp
2003 15.2 −0.2 pp
2002 15.4 −0.2 pp
2001 15.6 −0.2 pp
2000 15.8 −0.2 pp
1999 15.9 −0.2 pp
1998 16.1 −0.2 pp
1997 16.3 −0.2 pp
1996 16.5 −0.2 pp
1995 16.6 −0.1 pp
1994 16.8 −0.1 pp
1993 16.9 −0.2 pp
1992 17.1 −0.2 pp
1991 17.3 −0.2 pp
1990 17.4 −0.2 pp
1989 17.6 −0.2 pp
1988 17.8 −0.2 pp
1987 18 −0.2 pp
1986 18.1 −0.2 pp
1985 18.3 −0.2 pp
1984 18.5 −0.2 pp
1983 18.7 −0.2 pp
1982 18.9 −0.2 pp
1981 19.1 −0.2 pp
1980 19.3 —

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 Sub-Saharan Africa

Nutrition Obesity in adults

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Nutrition Prevalence of undernourishment

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Nutrition Tobacco use prevalence

The share of adults who use tobacco in any form.

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Nutrition Access to clean water

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Nutrition Access to basic sanitation

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year
All indicators for Sub-Saharan Africa