What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States?

Exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States was 25.8% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in United States?

The highest recorded value was 34.7% in 2016.

What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in United States?

The lowest recorded value was 23.3% in 2010.

How does United States rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?

United States ranks 62nd out of 72 countries with data for 2018.

Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in United States?

Over the last ten years it is up 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this United States data come from?

The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States

Name: Exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States
Creator: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

United States: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 25.8% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)

25.8%

Change on year

down 25.7%

World rank

62nd

of 72 countries

All-time high

34.7%

in 2016

All-time low

23.3%

in 2010

Years of data

2010–2018

Exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States, 2010–2018

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.

Analysis

United States recorded 25.8% for exclusive breastfeeding rate in 2018.

That represents a change of down 25.7% on the previous year and up 10.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States peaked at 34.7% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 23.3%, in 2010.

United States ranks 62nd of 72 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Countries ranked near United States

59 Nigeria 28.7% compare
60 North Macedonia 27.5% compare
61 Mexico 27.1% compare
63 Jordan 25.4% compare
64 Vietnam 24.0% compare
65 Serbia 23.6% compare

See the full ranking of 72 places →

More reference data data for United States

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Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
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Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
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All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States?: Exclusive breastfeeding rate in United States was 25.8% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in United States?: The highest recorded value was 34.7% in 2016.
What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in United States?: The lowest recorded value was 23.3% in 2010.
How does United States rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?: United States ranks 62nd out of 72 countries with data for 2018.
Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in United States?: Over the last ten years it is up 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United States data come from?: The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Exclusive breastfeeding rate
Unit: % of children under 6 months
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 72 places, 509 data points, 1986–2020
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.