Avoidable mortality in South Africa
South Africa: Avoidable mortality was 253,927 Deaths in 2020. ▼ Falling
Avoidable mortality in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Deaths.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 253,927 Deaths for avoidable mortality in 2020.
That represents a change of up 6.9% on the previous year and down 18.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, avoidable mortality in South Africa peaked at 355,639 Deaths in 2005 and was at its lowest, 237,640 Deaths, in 2019.
South Africa ranks 4th of 36 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 21 years of available data.
Avoidable mortality in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 243,601 Deaths | — |
| 2001 | 266,562 Deaths | +9.4% |
| 2002 | 297,860 Deaths | +11.7% |
| 2003 | 330,550 Deaths | +11.0% |
| 2004 | 341,070 Deaths | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 355,639 Deaths | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 354,428 Deaths | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 350,988 Deaths | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 344,347 Deaths | -1.9% |
| 2009 | 326,123 Deaths | -5.3% |
| 2010 | 310,307 Deaths | -4.8% |
| 2011 | 282,178 Deaths | -9.1% |
| 2012 | 264,947 Deaths | -6.1% |
| 2013 | 252,079 Deaths | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 246,263 Deaths | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 243,505 Deaths | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 243,661 Deaths | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 240,730 Deaths | -1.2% |
| 2018 | 238,074 Deaths | -1.1% |
| 2019 | 237,640 Deaths | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 253,927 Deaths | +6.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 253,927 Deaths is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 211,805 Deaths, 1.2× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 321,117 Deaths | 243,601 Deaths | 355,639 Deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 255,938 Deaths | 237,640 Deaths | 310,307 Deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 253,927 Deaths | 253,927 Deaths | 253,927 Deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Türkiye 207,364 Deaths compare
- 1 United States 1.00 million Deaths compare
- 2 Poland 119,957 Deaths compare
- 2 Brazil 608,011 Deaths compare
- 3 Mexico 373,220 Deaths compare
- 3 Netherlands 29,607 Deaths compare
- 3 Croatia 14,419 Deaths compare
- 4 Lithuania 12,088 Deaths compare
- 5 Japan 213,167 Deaths compare
- 5 Latvia 8,179 Deaths compare
- 6 Slovenia 4,664 Deaths compare
- 6 Thailand 211,805 Deaths compare
- 7 Estonia 4,305 Deaths compare
- 7 Germany 195,524 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 in South Africa?
- Avoidable mortality in South Africa was 253,927 Deaths in 2020, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest avoidable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 355,639 Deaths in 2005.
- What is the lowest avoidable mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 237,640 Deaths in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for avoidable mortality?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 36 countries with data for 2020.
- Is avoidable mortality rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.2%. 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. 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.