Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in Malaysia
Malaysia: Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita was 21.2% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in Malaysia, 1999–2022
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2022, share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in Malaysia stood at 21.2%.
The figure is down 16.9% on the previous year and up 19.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in Malaysia peaked at 25.5% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 17.5%, in 2006.
That places Malaysia 44th out of 97 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of children who are stunted vs. GDP per capita in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 20.7% | — |
| 2006 | 17.5% | -15.5% |
| 2015 | 17.8% | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 20.8% | +16.9% |
| 2019 | 25.5% | +22.6% |
| 2022 | 21.2% | -16.9% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 21.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10.5%, 2.0× the median. (27 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 21.2% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 21.2%, 1.0× the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.7% | 20.7% | 20.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.4% | 17.8% | 25.5% | 3 |
| 2020s | 21.2% | 21.2% | 21.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 42 Cambodia 21.9% compare
- 43 South Africa 21.3% compare
- 45 Burkina Faso 21.1% compare
- 46 Eswatini 20.0% compare
- 47 North Korea 19.1% compare
More economy & growth data for Malaysia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.04 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.97 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 13.04 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0309 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 366.69 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 15.59 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 96.92 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0369 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 438.53 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 8.09 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in Malaysia?
- Share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita in Malaysia was 21.2% in 2022, 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 25.5% in 2019.
- What is the lowest share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.5% in 2006.
- How does Malaysia rank for share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita?
- Malaysia ranks 44th out of 97 countries with data for 2022.
- Is share of children who are stunted vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.