Number of undernourished people (millions) in China
China: Number of undernourished people (millions) was 38.7 num m in 2009. ▼ Falling
Number of undernourished people in China, 2001–2009
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in num m.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of undernourished people in China is 38.7 num m, measured in 2009. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 25.1% on the previous year and down 69.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of undernourished people in China peaked at 127.3 num m in 2001 and was at its lowest, 38.7 num m, in 2009.
China ranks 5th of 120 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Number of undernourished people (millions) in China, year by year
| Year | num m | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 127.3 num m | — |
| 2002 | 120.2 num m | -5.6% |
| 2003 | 111.3 num m | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 101.5 num m | -8.8% |
| 2005 | 90.5 num m | -10.8% |
| 2006 | 78.8 num m | -12.9% |
| 2007 | 65.3 num m | -17.1% |
| 2008 | 51.7 num m | -20.8% |
| 2009 | 38.7 num m | -25.1% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 38.7 num m is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.1 num m, 35.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- China's 38.7 num m is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.5 num m, 15.5× the median. (13 countries reporting)
Countries ranked near China
More development goals data for China
- Red List Index 0.8295 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 11.52 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,492 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 37 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 216 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 849 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 872 (2025)
- Infant deaths 36,113 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of undernourished people in China?
- Number of undernourished people in China was 38.7 num m in 2009, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest number of undernourished people recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 127.3 num m in 2001.
- What is the lowest number of undernourished people recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.7 num m in 2009.
- How does China rank for number of undernourished people?
- China ranks 5th out of 120 countries with data for 2009.
- Is number of undernourished people rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 69.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Number of undernourished people (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).