South Africa vs Zambia: Child deaths

South Africa
12,865
in 2024
Zambia
9,147
in 2024
South Africa rank
23rd
Zambia rank
25th

Child deaths over time

  • South Africa
  • Zambia
10.0k20.0k30.0k195719902024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 12,865 against 9,147 in Zambia, a difference of 3,718.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.4 times Zambia's.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 44 shared years of data; in 1981 it was Zambia ahead.

South Africa ranks 23rd and Zambia ranks 25th of 200 countries.

Across the 5 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 3 and Zambia in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa Zambia Difference Ahead
1980s 6,736 22,064 15,329 Zambia
1990s 14,874 27,683 12,809 Zambia
2000s 29,309 20,502 8,808 South Africa
2010s 11,571 11,542 28.4 South Africa
2020s 11,808 9,466 2,342 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher child deaths, South Africa or Zambia?
South Africa, at 12,865 against 9,147 in Zambia as of 2024.
What is the difference in child deaths between South Africa and Zambia?
3,718, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Zambia?
44 years are reported by both, from 1981 to 2024.
How do South Africa and Zambia rank globally for child deaths?
South Africa ranks 23rd and Zambia ranks 25th of 200 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNICEF, published as Child deaths (aged 1-4 years). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs Zambia: Child deaths. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/child-deaths-aged-1-4-years/south-africa/zambia/

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About this data

Indicator
Child deaths (aged 1-4 years)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
249 places, 13,742 data points, 1955–2024
Last refreshed