3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate in South Africa

South Africa: 3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate was 11 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
11
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
79th
of 199 countries
All-time high
17.5
in 2000
All-time low
11
in 2014
Years of data
22
2000–2021

3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate in South Africa, 2000–2021

051015202000201020212000: 17.52001: 16.92002: 16.42003: 15.82004: 15.22005: 14.72006: 14.22007: 13.72008: 13.22009: 12.72010: 12.22011: 11.72012: 11.32013: 11.12014: 112015: 112016: 11.12017: 11.12018: 11.22019: 11.12020: 11.12021: 11

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

The most recent figure for 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate in South Africa is 11, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 6.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate in South Africa peaked at 17.5 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 11, in 2014.

South Africa ranks 79th 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.

3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for 3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Africa, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 17.5
2001 16.9 -3.4%
2002 16.4 -3.0%
2003 15.8 -3.7%
2004 15.2 -3.8%
2005 14.7 -3.3%
2006 14.2 -3.4%
2007 13.7 -3.5%
2008 13.2 -3.6%
2009 12.7 -3.8%
2010 12.2 -3.9%
2011 11.7 -4.1%
2012 11.3 -3.4%
2013 11.1 -1.8%
2014 11 -0.9%
2015 11 +0.0%
2016 11.1 +0.9%
2017 11.1 +0.0%
2018 11.2 +0.9%
2019 11.1 -0.9%
2020 11.1 +0.0%
2021 11 -0.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 15.03 12.7 17.5 10
2010s 11.28 11 12.2 10
2020s 11.05 11 11.1 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 76 Tunisia 11.5 compare
  2. 77 Indonesia 11.3 compare
  3. 78 Morocco 11.1 compare
  4. 80 Guatemala 10.8 compare
  5. 80 Syrian Arab Republic 10.8 compare
  6. 82 Suriname 10.7 compare

See the full ranking of 199 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate in South Africa?
3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate in South Africa was 11 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 17.5 in 2000.
What is the lowest 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 11 in 2014.
How does South Africa rank for 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate?
South Africa ranks 79th out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
Is 3.2.2 neonatal mortality rate rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 6.0%. 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 3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/3-2-2-neonatal-mortality-rate-deaths-per-1-000-live-births/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
199 places, 4,378 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed