Childhood stunting rates in Australia
Australia: Childhood stunting rates was 1.9% in 2005. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in Australia, 1895–2005
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for childhood stunting rates in Australia is 1.9%, measured in 2005.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 183,413,000.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in Australia peaked at 27.0% in 1895 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1995.
Australia ranks 29th of 34 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Childhood stunting rates in Australia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1895 | 27.0% | — |
| 1905 | 21.8% | -19.4% |
| 1945 | 4.3% | -80.3% |
| 1975 | 2.1% | -51.0% |
| 1985 | 1.1% | -49.5% |
| 1995 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2005 | 1.9% | +183413517.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 1.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.0%, 96% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Australia's 1.9% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.4%, 55% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 27.0% | 27.0% | 27.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 21.8% | 21.8% | 21.8% | 1 |
| 1940s | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1 |
| 1980s | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1 |
| 1990s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More reference data data for Australia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 28.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 38.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 118.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 170.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 13.9 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in Australia?
- Childhood stunting rates in Australia was 1.9% in 2005, according to Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest childhood stunting rates recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 27.0% in 1895.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1995.
- How does Australia rank for childhood stunting rates?
- Australia ranks 29th out of 34 countries with data for 2005.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 183,413,000.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Childhood stunting rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of children between 2 and 10 years old who are stunted, so shorter than would be expected for their age. Stunting is a sign of long-term malnutrition or poor health in early childhood.