Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa
South Africa: Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged was 23.7% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
23.7%
World rank
61st
of 178 countries
All-time high
23.7%
in 2024
All-time low
22.6%
in 2000
Years of data
6
2000–2024
Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 23.7% for age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in 2024. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
The figure is up 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa peaked at 23.7% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 22.6%, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 61st of 178 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 22.6% | — |
| 2005 | 22.8% | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 23.0% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 23.2% | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 23.4% | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 23.7% | +1.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 23.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21.4%, 1.1× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 23.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.8%, 2.4× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.7% | 22.6% | 22.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 23.1% | 23.0% | 23.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 23.5% | 23.4% | 23.7% | 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)
- 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 age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa?
- Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged in South Africa was 23.7% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23.7% in 2024.
- What is the lowest age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.6% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged?
- South Africa ranks 61st out of 178 countries with data for 2024.
- Is age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and older, by sex (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).