Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa
South Africa: Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) was 371.43 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
371.43
Change on year
up 19.3%
World rank
8th
of 184 countries
All-time high
541.76
in 2005
All-time low
288.64
in 2019
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa is 371.43, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 19.3% on the previous year and down 11.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa peaked at 541.76 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 288.64, in 2019.
That places South Africa 8th out of 184 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 427.97 | — |
| 2001 | 453.68 | +6.0% |
| 2002 | 487.22 | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 519.45 | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 536.7 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 541.76 | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 541.04 | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 528.2 | -2.4% |
| 2008 | 513.32 | -2.8% |
| 2009 | 491.32 | -4.3% |
| 2010 | 459 | -6.6% |
| 2011 | 420.52 | -8.4% |
| 2012 | 386.95 | -8.0% |
| 2013 | 361.38 | -6.6% |
| 2014 | 347.11 | -4.0% |
| 2015 | 337.21 | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 324.65 | -3.7% |
| 2017 | 307.21 | -5.4% |
| 2018 | 296.86 | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 288.64 | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 311.44 | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 371.43 | +19.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 371.43 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 167.94, 2.2× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 371.43 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 249.88, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 504.07 | 427.97 | 541.76 | 10 |
| 2010s | 352.95 | 288.64 | 459 | 10 |
| 2020s | 341.43 | 311.44 | 371.43 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 5 Somalia 404.5 compare
- 6 Mozambique 386.35 compare
- 7 Namibia 378.14 compare
- 9 Botswana 365.67 compare
- 10 Guinea-Bissau 355.47 compare
- 11 Afghanistan 344.17 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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa?
- Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) in South Africa was 371.43 in 2021, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 541.76 in 2005.
- What is the lowest adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 288.64 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years)?
- South Africa ranks 8th out of 184 countries with data for 2021.
- Is adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Adult mortality rate (probability of dying between 15 and 60 years per 1000 population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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