What is the difference in share of babies born with a low birthweight between Lao People's Democratic Republic and South Africa?

0.1%, with Lao People's Democratic Republic ahead.

How many years of comparable data are there for Lao People's Democratic Republic and South Africa?

21 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2020.

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.

Lao People's Democratic Republic vs South Africa: Share of babies born with a low birthweight

Lao People's Democratic Republic

16.7%

in 2020

South Africa

16.6%

in 2020

Lao People's Democratic Republic rank

20th

South Africa rank

21st

Share of babies born with a low birthweight over time

Lao People's Democratic Republic
South Africa

How they compare

Lao People's Democratic Republic currently reports 16.7% against 16.6% in South Africa, a difference of 0.1%.

Across all 21 years both countries report, Lao People's Democratic Republic has been ahead every year.

Lao People's Democratic Republic ranks 20th and South Africa ranks 21st of 157 countries.

Lao People's Democratic Republic has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Lao People's Democratic Republic	South Africa	Difference	Ahead
2000s	17.4%	17.0%	0.4%	Lao People's Democratic Republic
2010s	17.1%	16.6%	0.4%	Lao People's Democratic Republic
2020s	16.7%	16.6%	0.1%	Lao People's Democratic Republic

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher share of babies born with a low birthweight, Lao People's Democratic Republic or South Africa?: Lao People's Democratic Republic, at 16.7% against 16.6% in South Africa as of 2020.
What is the difference in share of babies born with a low birthweight between Lao People's Democratic Republic and South Africa?: 0.1%, with Lao People's Democratic Republic ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Lao People's Democratic Republic and South Africa?: 21 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2020.
How do Lao People's Democratic Republic and South Africa rank globally for share of babies born with a low birthweight?: Lao People's Democratic Republic ranks 20th 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.

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Lao People's Democratic Republic vs South Africa: Share of babies born with a low birthweight. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/compare/share-of-low-birthweight-babies-born/lao-pdr/south-africa/

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<a href="https://population.statizoid.com/compare/share-of-low-birthweight-babies-born/lao-pdr/south-africa/">Lao People's Democratic Republic vs South Africa: Share of babies born with a low birthweight</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Share of babies born with a low birthweight
Unit: % of births
Source: UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 157 places, 3,297 data points, 2000–2020
Last refreshed: 28 August 2026

Estimated percentage of newborn babies that weigh under 2.5kg. These babies are more likely to suffer poor health and stunted growth.