Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in China
China: Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita was 4.8% in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in China, 1987–2017
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in China is 4.8%, measured in 2017. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
That represents a change of down 51.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in China peaked at 38.3% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 2017.
That places China 88th out of 97 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 38.3% | — |
| 1990 | 32.3% | -15.7% |
| 1992 | 38.0% | +17.6% |
| 1995 | 31.2% | -17.9% |
| 1998 | 19.8% | -36.5% |
| 2000 | 17.8% | -10.1% |
| 2002 | 21.8% | +22.5% |
| 2005 | 11.7% | -46.3% |
| 2008 | 9.8% | -16.2% |
| 2009 | 9.0% | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 9.4% | +4.4% |
| 2013 | 8.1% | -13.8% |
| 2017 | 4.8% | -40.7% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 4.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.5%, 46% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
- China's 4.8% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 21.2%, 23% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 38.3% | 38.3% | 38.3% | 1 |
| 1990s | 30.3% | 19.8% | 38.0% | 4 |
| 2000s | 14.0% | 9.0% | 21.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 7.4% | 4.8% | 9.4% | 3 |
Countries ranked near China
- 85 Azerbaijan 6.6% compare
- 86 Uzbekistan 6.5% compare
- 87 Turkey 6.0% compare
- 88 Iran 4.8% compare
- 90 Jamaica 4.6% compare
- 91 United States 3.8% compare
More economy & growth data for China
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.46 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 157.21 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0081 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 111.77 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 79.98 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 87.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0041 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 56.86 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.47 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in China?
- Share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in China was 4.8% in 2017, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 38.3% in 1987.
- What is the lowest share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 2017.
- How does China rank for share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita?
- China ranks 88th out of 97 countries with data for 2017.
- Is share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 51.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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 Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The share of children who are stunted – significantly shorter than the average for their age. GDP per capita is adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.