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.
Childhood stunting rates in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 50.8% | — |
| 1975 | 27.8% | -45.2% |
| 1985 | 28.4% | +2.1% |
| 1995 | 18.4% | -35.4% |
| 2005 | 7.0% | -61.8% |
| 2015 | 4.1% | -42.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 4.1% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.9%, 37% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
- China's 4.1% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.4%, 1.2× the median. (8 countries reporting)
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
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
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.