Childhood stunting rates in United States
United States: Childhood stunting rates was 3.2% in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Childhood stunting rates in United States, 1905–2015
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 United States is 3.2%, measured in 2015.
That represents a change of up 35.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in United States peaked at 16.4% in 1905 and was at its lowest, 2.4%, in 2005.
That places United States 25th out of 34 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the middle of the range.
Childhood stunting rates in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1905 | 16.4% | — |
| 1915 | 9.1% | -44.4% |
| 1925 | 3.0% | -66.7% |
| 1935 | 3.7% | +20.8% |
| 1965 | 6.5% | +77.3% |
| 1985 | 3.2% | -50.9% |
| 1995 | 2.7% | -15.6% |
| 2005 | 2.4% | -12.6% |
| 2015 | 3.2% | +35.6% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 3.2% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.0%, 1.6× the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 16.4% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 1 |
| 1910s | 9.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 1 |
| 1920s | 3.0% | 3.0% | 3.0% | 1 |
| 1930s | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 1 |
| 1960s | 6.5% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in United States?
- Childhood stunting rates in United States was 3.2% 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 16.4% in 1905.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4% in 2005.
- How does United States rank for childhood stunting rates?
- United States ranks 25th out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.