3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services in South Africa

South Africa: 3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services was 71 in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
71
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
88th
of 194 countries
All-time high
71
in 2017
All-time low
43
in 2000
Years of data
7
2000–2021

3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services in South Africa, 2000–2021

0204060802000201020212000: 432005: 512010: 632015: 702017: 712019: 712021: 71

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

In 2021, 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services in South Africa stood at 71. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.

That represents a change of up 12.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services in South Africa peaked at 71 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 43, in 2000.

South Africa ranks 88th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for 3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services (index) in South Africa, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 43
2005 51 +18.6%
2010 63 +23.5%
2015 70 +11.1%
2017 71 +1.4%
2019 71 +0.0%
2021 71 +0.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 47 43 51 2
2010s 68.75 63 71 4
2020s 71 71 71 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 85 Montenegro 72 compare
  2. 85 Paraguay 72 compare
  3. 85 Serbia 72 compare
  4. 88 Cape Verde 71 compare
  5. 88 Republic of Moldova 71 compare
  6. 88 Peru 71 compare

See the full ranking of 194 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services in South Africa?
3.8.1 coverage of essential health services in South Africa was 71 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 71 in 2017.
What is the lowest 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 43 in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services?
South Africa ranks 88th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
Is 3.8.1 coverage of essential health services rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services (index). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/3-8-1-coverage-of-essential-health-services-index/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
3.8.1 Coverage of essential health services (index)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
194 places, 1,358 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed