3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Africa
South Africa: 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 32.8 in 2021. ▼ Falling
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Africa is 32.8, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 27.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Africa peaked at 79.2 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 32.8, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 57th of 199 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 71 | — |
| 2001 | 73.3 | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 75.2 | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 76.5 | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 77.8 | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 79.2 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 78.9 | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 74.6 | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 68.3 | -8.4% |
| 2009 | 59.9 | -12.3% |
| 2010 | 51.6 | -13.9% |
| 2011 | 45.5 | -11.8% |
| 2012 | 41.5 | -8.8% |
| 2013 | 39.6 | -4.6% |
| 2014 | 38.3 | -3.3% |
| 2015 | 37.3 | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 36.6 | -1.9% |
| 2017 | 35.8 | -2.2% |
| 2018 | 35.1 | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 34.3 | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 33.7 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 32.8 | -2.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 32.8 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13.9, 2.4× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 32.8 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 53.75, 61% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 73.47 | 59.9 | 79.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 39.56 | 34.3 | 51.6 | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.25 | 32.8 | 33.7 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 54 Dominica 35.9 compare
- 55 Botswana 34.9 compare
- 56 Dominican Republic 33 compare
- 58 Tajikistan 31.4 compare
- 59 India 30.6 compare
- 60 Marshall Islands 29.7 compare
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Africa?
- 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Africa was 32.8 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 79.2 in 2005.
- What is the lowest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.8 in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
- Is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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