Open Data Albania has researched malnutrition in Albanian children, based on data obtained from World Bank and World Health Organization. Referring to the table below, it results that in 2009, the percentage of underweight children for age-groups 0 to 5 is 6%. This indicator has improved since 2000, a year in which it scored a value of 17%, showing a positive performance against the world average. However, the case of Albania shows high figures compared to more developed countries such as Croatia, which for 2009 has only 1% underweight children.
The percentage of underweight children, age group 0 to 5 years:
Source: World Bank, OBSH
Processing and Analysis: ODA
Malnutrition in percentage by region, year 2009:
Source: World Bank, OBSH
Processing and Analysis: ODA
For years 2000 to 2009 it results that malnutrition has improved in higher rates in boys rather than in girls. This is a characteristics also for other developing countries, where the possibility of girls under five years to be underweight is higher than in boys.
Changes in percentage of malnutrition levels in Albanian children, years 2000 to 2009
Source: World Bank, OBSH
Processing and Analysis: ODA
Child malnutrition is the result of a combination of several factors among which are included: lack of food, both in terms of quantity and quality; inadequate water, sanitation, and health services; and suboptimal care and feeding practices.
Source: World Bank, OBSH
Processing and Analysis: ODA