Childhood stunting rates in Australia

Australia: Childhood stunting rates was 1.9% in 2005. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2005)
1.9%
World rank
29th
of 34 countries
All-time high
27.0%
in 1895
All-time low
0.0%
in 1995
Years of data
7
1895–2005

Childhood stunting rates in Australia, 1895–2005

01020301895195020051895: 27 %1905: 21.8 %1945: 4.3 %1975: 2.1 %1985: 1.1 %1995: 0 %2005: 1.9 %

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 26 Japan 2.8% compare
  2. 27 New Zealand 2.3% compare
  3. 28 Poland 2.0% compare
  4. 30 South Korea 1.7% compare
  5. 31 Belgium 1.6% compare
  6. 32 Spain 1.2% compare

See the full ranking of 34 places →

More reference data data for Australia

All data for Australia →

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

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About this data

Indicator
Childhood stunting rates
Unit
%
Source
Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
34 places, 204 data points, 1895–2015
Last refreshed

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.