Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and was 31.0% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–2021
Source: Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of total deaths ages 60+.
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 31.0% for cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in 2021.
The figure is up 15.3% on the previous year and up 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 36.4% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 24.8%, in 2019.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 10th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total deaths ages 60+ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 36.4% | — |
| 2010 | 30.9% | -15.2% |
| 2015 | 27.5% | -11.0% |
| 2019 | 24.8% | -9.8% |
| 2020 | 26.9% | +8.3% |
| 2021 | 31.0% | +15.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 36.4% | 36.4% | 36.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 27.7% | 24.8% | 30.9% | 3 |
| 2020s | 28.9% | 26.9% | 31.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 7 South Africa 42.9% compare
- 8 Paraguay 42.9% compare
- 9 Guinea-Bissau 42.7% compare
- 10 Somalia 42.5% compare
- 11 Gabon 41.8% compare
- 12 Central African Republic 41.8% compare
- 13 Mexico 38.9% compare
More health data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Population ages 15-64, male, annual growth rate 3.04 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, per capita 0.4038 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, annual growth rate 2.96 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, per capita 0.2837 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, annual growth rate 3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per capita 0.2801 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in Sub-Saharan Africa was 31.0% in 2021, according to Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 36.4% in 2000.
- What is the lowest cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.8% in 2019.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 10th out of 47 groups with data for 2021.
- Is cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions, ages 60+ (% of total deaths ages 60+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of deaths ages 60+ due to communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions divided by number of all deaths ages 60+, expressed by percentage. Communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions included infectious and parasitic diseases, respiratory infections, and nutritional deficiencies such as underweight and stunting.