Avoidable mortality — Preventable mortality in South Africa
South Africa: Avoidable mortality — Preventable mortality was 151,946 Deaths in 2020. ▼ Falling
Avoidable mortality — Preventable mortality in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Deaths.
Analysis
In 2020, avoidable mortality — preventable mortality in South Africa stood at 151,946 Deaths.
The figure is up 8.0% on the previous year and down 8.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, avoidable mortality — preventable mortality in South Africa peaked at 185,874 Deaths in 2006 and was at its lowest, 131,954 Deaths, in 2000.
That places South Africa 4th out of 36 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 21 years of available data.
Avoidable mortality — Preventable mortality in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 131,954 Deaths | — |
| 2001 | 139,346 Deaths | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 150,935 Deaths | +8.3% |
| 2003 | 163,056 Deaths | +8.0% |
| 2004 | 167,480 Deaths | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 173,180 Deaths | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 185,874 Deaths | +7.3% |
| 2007 | 184,084 Deaths | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 183,818 Deaths | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 171,703 Deaths | -6.6% |
| 2010 | 165,399 Deaths | -3.7% |
| 2011 | 150,134 Deaths | -9.2% |
| 2012 | 144,963 Deaths | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 143,110 Deaths | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 140,509 Deaths | -1.8% |
| 2015 | 139,926 Deaths | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 141,364 Deaths | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 140,022 Deaths | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 140,002 Deaths | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 140,656 Deaths | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 151,946 Deaths | +8.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 151,946 Deaths is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 115,023 Deaths, 1.3× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 165,143 Deaths | 131,954 Deaths | 185,874 Deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 144,608 Deaths | 139,926 Deaths | 165,399 Deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 151,946 Deaths | 151,946 Deaths | 151,946 Deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Türkiye 125,311 Deaths compare
- 1 United States 675,942 Deaths compare
- 2 Poland 72,522 Deaths compare
- 2 Brazil 353,562 Deaths compare
- 3 Mexico 211,270 Deaths compare
- 3 Netherlands 20,056 Deaths compare
- 3 Croatia 9,235 Deaths compare
- 4 Lithuania 7,439 Deaths compare
- 5 Japan 133,518 Deaths compare
- 5 Latvia 5,026 Deaths compare
- 6 Germany 130,954 Deaths compare
- 6 Slovenia 3,310 Deaths compare
- 7 Estonia 2,875 Deaths compare
- 7 Thailand 115,023 Deaths 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)
- 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 avoidable mortality — preventable mortality in South Africa?
- Avoidable mortality — preventable mortality in South Africa was 151,946 Deaths in 2020, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest avoidable mortality — preventable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 185,874 Deaths in 2006.
- What is the lowest avoidable mortality — preventable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 131,954 Deaths in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for avoidable mortality — preventable mortality?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 36 countries with data for 2020.
- Is avoidable mortality — preventable mortality rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Avoidable mortality — Preventable mortality. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
This dataset presents data on preventable, treatable and avoidable (preventable + treatable) causes of mortality. Preventable and treatable causes of mortality are defined as follows: - Preventable mortality: Causes of death that can be mainly avoided through effective public health and primary prevention interventions (i.e. before the onset of diseases/injuries, to reduce incidence). - Treatable (or amenable) mortality: Causes of death that can be mainly avoided through timely and effective healthcare interventions, including secondary prevention such as screening, and treatment (i.e. after the onset of diseases, to reduce case-fatality). Both indicators refer to premature mortality (under age 75). Please refer to the Sources and Methods for detailed country-specific information.