Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in United States
United States: Average non-HDL cholesterol levels was 3.3 in 2018. ▼ Falling
Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in United States, 1980–2018
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2018, average non-hdl cholesterol levels in United States stood at 3.3. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
The figure is down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average non-hdl cholesterol levels in United States peaked at 4 in 1980 and was at its lowest, 3.3, in 2015.
That places United States 95th out of 191 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 39 years of available data.
Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 4 | — |
| 1981 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 4 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 3.9 | -2.5% |
| 1984 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 3.9 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 3.8 | -2.6% |
| 1991 | 3.8 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 3.8 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 3.8 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 3.8 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 3.7 | -2.6% |
| 1996 | 3.7 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 3.7 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 3.7 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 3.7 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 3.6 | -2.7% |
| 2001 | 3.6 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 3.6 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 3.6 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 3.6 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3.5 | -2.8% |
| 2006 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 3.4 | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 3.3 | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 3.3 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 3.3 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3.3 | +0.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 3.3 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3.5, 94% of the median. (61 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.93 | 3.9 | 4 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.75 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.55 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.36 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 9 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 95 Algeria 3.3 compare
- 95 Azerbaijan 3.3 compare
- 95 Bahrain 3.3 compare
- 95 Barbados 3.3 compare
- 95 Bolivia 3.3 compare
- 95 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.3 compare
- 95 Cambodia 3.3 compare
- 95 China 3.3 compare
- 95 Cuba 3.3 compare
- 95 Egypt 3.3 compare
- 95 Ghana 3.3 compare
- 95 Kiribati 3.3 compare
- 95 Laos 3.3 compare
- 95 Luxembourg 3.3 compare
- 95 Marshall Islands 3.3 compare
- 95 Netherlands 3.3 compare
- 95 Spain 3.3 compare
- 95 Sri Lanka 3.3 compare
- 95 Suriname 3.3 compare
- 95 Turkey 3.3 compare
- 95 Turkmenistan 3.3 compare
- 95 United Kingdom 3.3 compare
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average non-hdl cholesterol levels in United States?
- Average non-hdl cholesterol levels in United States was 3.3 in 2018, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average non-hdl cholesterol levels recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 4 in 1980.
- What is the lowest average non-hdl cholesterol levels recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.3 in 2015.
- How does United States rank for average non-hdl cholesterol levels?
- United States ranks 95th out of 191 countries with data for 2018.
- Is average non-hdl cholesterol levels rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average non-HDL cholesterol levels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 39 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The estimated average level of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, commonly known as "bad cholesterol". Healthy levels are considered to be under 4mmol/L. Elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol are a risk factor for chronic complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.