Childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Childhood stunting rates was 3.6% in 2005. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom, 1905–2005
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 3.6% for childhood stunting rates in 2005.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 208.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom peaked at 45.4% in 1905 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 1995.
That places United Kingdom 24th out of 34 countries with data for 2005, putting it in the middle of the range.
Childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | 45.4% | — |
| 1915 | 19.6% | -56.8% |
| 1945 | 8.8% | -54.9% |
| 1955 | 4.2% | -52.3% |
| 1965 | 4.7% | +10.5% |
| 1975 | 3.4% | -26.5% |
| 1985 | 2.4% | -28.8% |
| 1995 | 1.2% | -52.6% |
| 2005 | 3.6% | +208.2% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 3.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.0%, 1.8× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 3.6% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.6%, 2.2× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 45.4% | 45.4% | 45.4% | 1 |
| 1910s | 19.6% | 19.6% | 19.6% | 1 |
| 1940s | 8.8% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 1 |
| 1950s | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 1 |
| 1960s | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 1 |
| 1970s | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom?
- Childhood stunting rates in United Kingdom was 3.6% 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 45.4% in 1905.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 1995.
- How does United Kingdom rank for childhood stunting rates?
- United Kingdom ranks 24th out of 34 countries with data for 2005.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 208.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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 — 9 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.