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Last update:
January 2008

UNICEF GLOBAL DATABASE ON LOW BIRTHWEIGHT
Low birthweight incidence by country (around 2000)

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Country % of low birthweight infants Year Source
Afghanistan-
Albania72005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Algeria62006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Andorra-
Angola122000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Antigua and Barbuda52005Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Argentina72006Estadísticas Vitales Información Básica 2005, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Table 5, p. 10
Armenia82005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Australia72000Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2000.
Austria72001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Azerbaijan122001Reproductive Health Survey 2001, as cited in Eastern Europe and Eurasia: A Comparative Report 2003.
Bahamas71990-99Health Situation in the Americas: Basic Indicators 2001, PAHO.
Bahrain81999Health Statistics 1999, Ministry of Health.
Bangladesh222006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Barbados132004Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Belarus42005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Belgium81997European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Belize61999Annual Midwifery Report 2001, Ministry of Health.
Benin162001DHS 2001, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Bhutan151999Health Situation in the South-East Asia Region 1998-2000, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.
Bolivia72003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, May 2005.
Bosnia Herzegovina52005-06MICS 2005-06, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Botswana102000MICS 2000, Final Report, Table 16.
Brazil82004Ministry of Health - Pacto de Atenção Básica - 2006.
Brunei Darussalam101999Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Bulgaria102001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Burkina Faso162006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Burundi112005Rapport de l'Enquête Nationale de Nutrition de la Population , ISTEEBU 2005. Table 22, p. 35
Cambodia112000DHS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Cameroon112006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Canada62000Statistics Canada, 2000.
Cape Verde131998Inquerito Demografico e de Saude Reprodutiva 1998, Final Report, Centers for Disease Control, p. 152.
Central African Republic132006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Chad222004DHS 2004, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Chile62004Estadísticas de Natalidad y Mortalidad 2004, Departamento de Estadísticas e Información de Salud, Ministerio de Salud, Annex 1.
China22005NBS, Social Progress in China-2006, p. 32
Colombia92000DHS 2000, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2003
Comoros252000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Congo132005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Congo, Democratic Republic of the122000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Cook Islands32000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Costa Rica72005Departamento de Estadisticas de Servicios de Salud, 2005.
Cote d'Ivoire172006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Croatia62000Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Cuba52005Obstetrics and Neonatology Statistical System 2005, National Health Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Public Health.
Cyprus-
Czech Republic72001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Denmark52001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Djibouti102006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Dominica102004Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Dominican Republic112002DHS 2002, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Ecuador161999Encuesta Demografica y de Salud Materna e Infantil, Informe General, Centers for Disease Control, p. 181.
Egypt142005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
El Salvador72002-03National Family Health Survey 2002-03, Final Report, Table 11.36, p. 311.
Equatorial Guinea132000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Eritrea142002DHS 2002, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Estonia42001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Ethiopia202005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Fiji101998Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Finland42001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
France71998European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Gabon142000DHS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Gambia202006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Georgia72003Statistics Yearbook 2004, Ministry of Labor Health and Social Affairs, p. 34.
Germany71999European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Ghana92006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Greece81999European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Grenada92005Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Guatemala122002Materno Infantil 2002, Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Table 7.8A, p. 152.
Guinea122005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Guinea Bissau242006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Guyana132004Strategic Plan for the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Guyana 2005, Ministry of Health Statistical Unit, Table 1, p. 6.
Haiti252005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Holy See-
Honduras102006DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Hungary92001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Iceland42001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
India301998-99NFHS 1998-99, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003
Indonesia92002DHS 2002-03, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)71995National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children 2000, Ministry of Public Health.
Iraq152006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Ireland61999European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Israel82001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Italy61998European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Jamaica122005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Japan82000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Jordan122002DHS 2002, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Kazakhstan62006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Kenya102003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, May 2005.
Kiribati51998Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of72002Nutrition Assessment 2000, p. 24.
Korea, Republic of42000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, National Statistical Office and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Kuwait71997-98Ministry of Health, 1997-98.
Kyrgystan52006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Lao People's Democratic Republic142000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Latvia52001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Lebanon62000National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children 2000, Ministry of Public Health; UNICEF Survey on Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality, 2000.
Lesotho132004DHS 2004, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Liberia-
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya71995Arab Libyan Maternal and Child Survey 1995, p. 133.
Liechtenstein-
Lithuania42001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Luxembourg82000European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia62005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Madagascar172003-04DHS 2003-04, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2005.
Malawi132006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Malaysia92002Health Facts 2003, Preliminary Report, Ministry of Health.
Maldives222001MICS 2001, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Mali232001DHS 2001, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Malta62001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Marshall Islands121999Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Mauritania-
Mauritius142003Health Statistics Annual Report 2004, Ministry of Health, p. VIII.
Mexico82005Secretaría de Salud, DGIS, Sistema de Información en Salud (SIS), 2005.
Micronesia (Federated States of)182000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Moldova62005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Monaco-
Mongolia62005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Montenegro42005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Morocco152003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Mozambique152003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, August 2005.
Myanmar152000Health Situation in the South-East Asia Region 1998-2000, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.
Namibia142000DHS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Nauru-
Nepal212001DHS 2001, Table 9.8.
Netherlands-
New Zealand62000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Nicaragua122001DHS 2001, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Niger132000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2005.
Nigeria142003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Niue02000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Norway52000European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Occupied Palestinian Territory72006Palestinian Family Health Survey 2006. Preliminary Report. Table 16, p48
Oman82001Annual Statistical Book 2002, Ministry of Health, p. 25.
Pakistan191991DHS 1991, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Palau91998Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Panama102003Conoría General de la República, Dirección de Estadística y Censo, Sección de Estadísticas Vitales 2003.
Papua New Guinea111996DHS 1996, National Report.
Paraguay92004Reproductive Health Survey 2004, Final Report, Table 9.1.
Peru112004DHS 2004, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Philippines202003DHS 2003, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, May 2005.
Poland62001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Portugal82001European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Qatar101999National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children 2000, Ministry of Public Health.
Romania82004Reproductive Health Survey 2004, Figure 6.2.2, p. 44
Russian Federation62001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Rwanda62005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Saint Kitts and Nevis92004Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Saint Lucia122004Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines52004Health Situation in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2006, PAHO/WHO
Samoa41997Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
San Marino-
Sao Tome and Principe82006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Saudi Arabia111996Saudi Arabia Family Health Survey 1996, Section 11.3.4, p. 162.
Senegal192005DHS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ June 2007
Serbia52005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Seychelles-
Sierra Leone242005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Singapore82000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Slovakia72001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Slovenia62001Country Statistical Office as cited in Social Monitor 2003, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, Florence.
Solomon Islands131996Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Somalia112006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
South Africa151998DHS 1998, Final Report, p. 117.
Spain61997European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Sri Lanka222000DHS 2000, National Report.
Sudan311999MICS 2000, citing Safe Motherhood Survey 1999, Table 20A.
Suriname132000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Swaziland92000MICS 2000, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Sweden41999European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Switzerland61999European Health for All Database, WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Syria92006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Tajikistan102005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Tanzania, United Republic of102004-05DHS 2004-05, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Thailand92005-06MICS 2005-06, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Timor-Leste122003DHS 2003, Final Report (National Report), Table 10.10, p. 155.
Togo122006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Tonga32002WHO 2005 "Western Pacific country Health Information Profile"
Trinidad and Tobago192006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Tunisia72000MICS 2000, Table 9.10.
Turkey161998DHS 1998, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.
Turkmenistan42006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Tuvalu52000Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, Ministry of Health and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Uganda122000-01DHS 2000-01, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2006.
Ukraine42005MICS 2005, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
United Arab Emirates151995Gulf Child Health Survey 1995.
United Kingdom82000National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children, 2000.
United States82002National Vital Statistics Report 2002, NCHS, Volume 51.
Uruguay82002Health Situation in the Americas: Basic Indicators 2001, PAHO.
Uzbekistan52006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Vanuatu62001Country Health Information Profiles, 2002 Revision, National Statistical Office and WHO/Western Pacific Region.
Venezuela92004Sistema Integrado de Indicadores Sociales para Venezuela 2006, Ministerio de Planificación y Desarrollo.
Vietnam72006MICS 2006, Re-analyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2007
Yemen321997DHS 1997, Final Report, p. 119.
Zambia122002DHS 2001-02, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2004.
Zimbabwe111999DHS 1999, Reanalyzed by UNICEF HQ, June 2003.

Region % of infants with low birthweight
Sub-Saharan Africa
Eastern and Southern Africa14
West and Central Africa14
Middle East and North Africa14
South Asia16
East Asia and Pacific29
Latin America and Caribbean6
CEE/CIS9
Industrialized countries6
Developing countries7
Least developed countries16
World17
15