Botswana vs South Africa: Share of babies born with a low birthweight
Botswana
16.8%
in 2020
South Africa
16.6%
in 2020
Botswana rank
19th
South Africa rank
21st
Share of babies born with a low birthweight over time
- Botswana
- South Africa
How they compare
Botswana currently reports 16.8% against 16.6% in South Africa, a difference of 0.2%.
Across all 21 years both countries report, Botswana has been ahead every year.
Botswana ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 21st of 157 countries.
Botswana has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Botswana | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.1% | 17.0% | 1.1% | Botswana |
| 2010s | 17.1% | 16.6% | 0.5% | Botswana |
| 2020s | 16.8% | 16.6% | 0.2% | Botswana |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher share of babies born with a low birthweight, Botswana or South Africa?
- Botswana, at 16.8% against 16.6% in South Africa as of 2020.
- What is the difference in share of babies born with a low birthweight between Botswana and South Africa?
- 0.2%, with Botswana ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Botswana and South Africa?
- 21 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2020.
- How do Botswana and South Africa rank globally for share of babies born with a low birthweight?
- Botswana ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 21st of 157 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of babies born with a low birthweight. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Estimated percentage of newborn babies that weigh under 2.5kg. These babies are more likely to suffer poor health and stunted growth.