Avoidable mortality — Treatable mortality in South Africa
South Africa: Avoidable mortality — Treatable mortality was 101,981 Deaths in 2020. ▼ Falling
Avoidable mortality — Treatable mortality in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Deaths.
Analysis
In 2020, avoidable mortality — treatable mortality in South Africa stood at 101,981 Deaths.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.2% on the previous year and down 29.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, avoidable mortality — treatable mortality in South Africa peaked at 182,459 Deaths in 2005 and was at its lowest, 96,984 Deaths, in 2019.
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 — Treatable mortality in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 111,647 Deaths | — |
| 2001 | 127,216 Deaths | +13.9% |
| 2002 | 146,925 Deaths | +15.5% |
| 2003 | 167,494 Deaths | +14.0% |
| 2004 | 173,590 Deaths | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 182,459 Deaths | +5.1% |
| 2006 | 168,554 Deaths | -7.6% |
| 2007 | 166,904 Deaths | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 160,529 Deaths | -3.8% |
| 2009 | 154,420 Deaths | -3.8% |
| 2010 | 144,908 Deaths | -6.2% |
| 2011 | 132,044 Deaths | -8.9% |
| 2012 | 119,984 Deaths | -9.1% |
| 2013 | 108,969 Deaths | -9.2% |
| 2014 | 105,754 Deaths | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 103,579 Deaths | -2.1% |
| 2016 | 102,297 Deaths | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 100,708 Deaths | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 98,072 Deaths | -2.6% |
| 2019 | 96,984 Deaths | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 101,981 Deaths | +5.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 101,981 Deaths is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 96,782 Deaths, 1.1× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 155,974 Deaths | 111,647 Deaths | 182,459 Deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 111,330 Deaths | 96,984 Deaths | 144,908 Deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 101,981 Deaths | 101,981 Deaths | 101,981 Deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Türkiye 82,053 Deaths compare
- 1 United States 327,378 Deaths compare
- 2 Poland 47,435 Deaths compare
- 2 Brazil 254,449 Deaths compare
- 3 Mexico 161,950 Deaths compare
- 3 Netherlands 9,551 Deaths compare
- 3 Croatia 5,184 Deaths compare
- 4 Lithuania 4,649 Deaths compare
- 5 Latvia 3,153 Deaths compare
- 5 Thailand 96,782 Deaths compare
- 6 Estonia 1,430 Deaths compare
- 6 Japan 79,649 Deaths compare
- 7 Germany 64,570 Deaths compare
- 7 Slovenia 1,354 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 — treatable mortality in South Africa?
- Avoidable mortality — treatable mortality in South Africa was 101,981 Deaths in 2020, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest avoidable mortality — treatable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 182,459 Deaths in 2005.
- What is the lowest avoidable mortality — treatable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 96,984 Deaths in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for avoidable mortality — treatable mortality?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 36 countries with data for 2020.
- Is avoidable mortality — treatable mortality rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.6%. 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 — Treatable 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.