Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa

South Africa: Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution was 24,900 Percent in 2015. ▲ Rising

Latest (2015)
24,900 Percent
World rank
26th
of 173 countries
All-time high
28,400 Percent
in 2000
All-time low
20,600 Percent
in 1990
Years of data
6
1990–2015

Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa, 1990–2015

010.0k20.0k30.0k1990200220151990: 20.6k Percent1995: 22.3k Percent2000: 28.4k Percent2005: 28.0k Percent2010: 23.3k Percent2015: 24.9k Percent

Source: Health Effects Institute (2017) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in Percent.

Analysis

The most recent figure for absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa is 24,900 Percent, measured in 2015.

The figure is down 11.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa peaked at 28,400 Percent in 2000 and was at its lowest, 20,600 Percent, in 1990.

That places South Africa 26th out of 173 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the top quarter.

Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa, 1990 to 2015.
Year Percent Change
1990 20,600 Percent
1995 22,300 Percent +8.3%
2000 28,400 Percent +27.4%
2005 28,000 Percent -1.4%
2010 23,300 Percent -16.8%
2015 24,900 Percent +6.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 21,450 Percent 20,600 Percent 22,300 Percent 2
2000s 28,200 Percent 28,000 Percent 28,400 Percent 2
2010s 24,100 Percent 23,300 Percent 24,900 Percent 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 23 Poland 27,900 Percent compare
  2. 24 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 27,200 Percent compare
  3. 25 Türkiye 26,700 Percent compare
  4. 27 France 20,300 Percent compare
  5. 28 Sudan 19,200 Percent compare
  6. 29 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 18,800 Percent compare

See the full ranking of 173 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa?
Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa was 24,900 Percent in 2015, according to Health Effects Institute (2017) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 28,400 Percent in 2000.
What is the lowest absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 20,600 Percent in 1990.
How does South Africa rank for absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution?
South Africa ranks 26th out of 173 countries with data for 2015.
Is absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 11.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Health Effects Institute (2017) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Health Effects Institute (2017) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/absolute-number-of-deaths-from-ambient-particulate-air-pollution/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Absolute number of deaths from ambient particulate air pollution
Unit
Percent
Source
Health Effects Institute (2017) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
173 places, 1,036 data points, 1990–2015
Last refreshed

Absolute number of deaths per year attributed to ambient (outdoor) particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution