3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Africa
South Africa: 3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 11 in 2021. ▼ Falling
3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate in South Africa, 2000–2021
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 (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Africa, year by year
| 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% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 11 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8.25, 1.3× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 11 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.15, 44% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
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 3.2.2 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.
Download this data
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