Childhood stunting rates in South Korea
South Korea: Childhood stunting rates was 1.7% in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in South Korea, 1905–2015
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 1.7% for childhood stunting rates in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 57.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in South Korea peaked at 66.8% in 1905 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 2005.
South Korea ranks 30th 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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | 66.8% | — |
| 1925 | 56.1% | -16.0% |
| 1935 | 27.5% | -51.0% |
| 1945 | 26.0% | -5.4% |
| 1955 | 42.9% | +64.9% |
| 1965 | 26.3% | -38.7% |
| 1975 | 8.6% | -67.4% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -67.1% |
| 1995 | 1.6% | -44.6% |
| 2005 | 1.1% | -29.6% |
| 2015 | 1.7% | +57.6% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 1.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.0%, 88% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 1.7% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.4%, 50% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 66.8% | 66.8% | 66.8% | 1 |
| 1920s | 56.1% | 56.1% | 56.1% | 1 |
| 1930s | 27.5% | 27.5% | 27.5% | 1 |
| 1940s | 26.0% | 26.0% | 26.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 42.9% | 42.9% | 42.9% | 1 |
| 1960s | 26.3% | 26.3% | 26.3% | 1 |
| 1970s | 8.6% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More reference data data for South Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9638 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9281 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2074 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in South Korea?
- Childhood stunting rates in South Korea was 1.7% 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 66.8% in 1905.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 2005.
- How does South Korea rank for childhood stunting rates?
- South Korea ranks 30th out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 57.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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 — 11 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.