Australia vs South Africa: Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths

Australia
1,759 deaths
in 2021
South Africa
2,033 deaths
in 2021
Australia rank
21st
South Africa rank
18th

Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths over time

  • Australia
  • South Africa
05001.0k1.5k2.0k200020102021

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 2,033 deaths against 1,759 deaths in Australia, a difference of 274 deaths.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Australia's.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 22 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Australia ahead.

Australia ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 18th of 194 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 1,079 deaths 1,171 deaths 92.04 deaths South Africa
2010s 1,555 deaths 1,740 deaths 184.31 deaths South Africa
2020s 1,806 deaths 2,017 deaths 210.84 deaths South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher alcohol and drug use disorders deaths, Australia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 2,033 deaths against 1,759 deaths in Australia as of 2021.
What is the difference in alcohol and drug use disorders deaths between Australia and South Africa?
274 deaths, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and South Africa?
22 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2021.
How do Australia and South Africa rank globally for alcohol and drug use disorders deaths?
Australia ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 18th of 194 countries.
Where does this data come from?
World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia vs South Africa: Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/compare/deaths-from-substance-disorders-who/australia/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths
Unit
deaths
Source
World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
194 places, 4,268 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed

Estimated number of deaths from substance use disorders in both sexes.