Childhood stunting rates in China
China: Childhood stunting rates was 4.1% in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in China, 1955–2015
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 China is 4.1%, measured in 2015. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
The figure is down 42.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in China peaked at 50.8% in 1955 and was at its lowest, 4.1%, in 2015.
China ranks 22nd of 34 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 50.8% | 50.8% | 50.8% | 1 |
| 1970s | 27.8% | 27.8% | 27.8% | 1 |
| 1980s | 28.4% | 28.4% | 28.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 18.4% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 7.0% | 7.0% | 7.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.66 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.0991 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 1.15 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 0 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.34 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 2.06 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 132.6 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in China?
- Childhood stunting rates in China was 4.1% in 2015, according to Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest childhood stunting rates recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 50.8% in 1955.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.1% in 2015.
- How does China rank for childhood stunting rates?
- China ranks 22nd out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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 — 6 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.