Childhood stunting rates in Japan
Japan: Childhood stunting rates was 2.8% in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in Japan, 1895–2015
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2015, childhood stunting rates in Japan stood at 2.8%. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
That represents a change of down 20.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in Japan peaked at 72.1% in 1895 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 2015.
Japan ranks 26th of 34 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Childhood stunting rates in Japan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1895 | 72.1% | — |
| 1905 | 70.4% | -2.4% |
| 1915 | 64.3% | -8.8% |
| 1925 | 52.2% | -18.8% |
| 1935 | 52.7% | +0.9% |
| 1945 | 40.7% | -22.7% |
| 1955 | 20.2% | -50.3% |
| 1965 | 9.2% | -54.8% |
| 1975 | 5.2% | -43.0% |
| 1985 | 3.7% | -28.5% |
| 1995 | 3.7% | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 3.6% | -5.0% |
| 2015 | 2.8% | -20.3% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 2.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.0%, 1.4× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Japan's 2.8% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.4%, 82% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 72.1% | 72.1% | 72.1% | 1 |
| 1900s | 70.4% | 70.4% | 70.4% | 1 |
| 1910s | 64.3% | 64.3% | 64.3% | 1 |
| 1920s | 52.2% | 52.2% | 52.2% | 1 |
| 1930s | 52.7% | 52.7% | 52.7% | 1 |
| 1940s | 40.7% | 40.7% | 40.7% | 1 |
| 1950s | 20.2% | 20.2% | 20.2% | 1 |
| 1960s | 9.2% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 1 |
| 1970s | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 1 |
| 1980s | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 23 Kuwait 3.8% compare
- 24 United Kingdom 3.6% compare
- 25 United States 3.2% compare
- 27 New Zealand 2.3% compare
- 28 Poland 2.0% compare
- 29 Australia 1.9% compare
More reference data data for Japan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.981 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 23.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in Japan?
- Childhood stunting rates in Japan was 2.8% 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 72.1% in 1895.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 2015.
- How does Japan rank for childhood stunting rates?
- Japan ranks 26th out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan 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 — 13 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.