Malnutrition: Number of children who are wasted in Zambia
Zambia: Malnutrition: Number of children who are wasted was 122,630 in 2018. ▲ Rising
Malnutrition: Number of children who are wasted in Zambia, 1992–2018
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for malnutrition: number of children who are wasted in Zambia is 122,630, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, malnutrition: number of children who are wasted in Zambia peaked at 169,000 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 90,660, in 1996.
Zambia ranks 42nd of 99 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Malnutrition: Number of children who are wasted in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 98,020 | — |
| 1996 | 90,660 | -7.5% |
| 1999 | 109,070 | +20.3% |
| 2002 | 123,720 | +13.4% |
| 2007 | 130,010 | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 169,000 | +30.0% |
| 2018 | 122,630 | -27.4% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 122,630 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 112,895, 1.1× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 122,630 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 175,595, 70% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 99,250 | 90,660 | 109,070 | 3 |
| 2000s | 126,865 | 123,720 | 130,010 | 2 |
| 2010s | 145,815 | 122,630 | 169,000 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More environment data for Zambia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.98 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -3.03 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.265 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.11 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.74 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 3.49 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is malnutrition: number of children who are wasted in Zambia?
- Malnutrition: number of children who are wasted in Zambia was 122,630 in 2018, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest malnutrition: number of children who are wasted recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 169,000 in 2013.
- What is the lowest malnutrition: number of children who are wasted recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 90,660 in 1996.
- How does Zambia rank for malnutrition: number of children who are wasted?
- Zambia ranks 42nd out of 99 countries with data for 2018.
- Is malnutrition: number of children who are wasted rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Malnutrition: Number of children who are wasted. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Estimated number of children younger than five who are 'wasted'. Wasting is when a child’s weight is significantly lower than the average for their height, for example because of acute food shortage or disease.