Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa
South Africa: Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and was 41.9% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of total female deaths.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 41.9% for cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in 2021.
The figure is up 21.7% on the previous year and down 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa peaked at 64.0% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 33.5%, in 2019.
That places South Africa 44th out of 185 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total female deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 64.0% | — |
| 2010 | 51.6% | -19.5% |
| 2015 | 38.0% | -26.4% |
| 2019 | 33.5% | -11.8% |
| 2020 | 34.5% | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 41.9% | +21.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 41.9% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 22.6%, 1.9× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 41.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 52.9%, 79% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 64.0% | 64.0% | 64.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 41.0% | 33.5% | 51.6% | 3 |
| 2020s | 38.2% | 34.5% | 41.9% | 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 cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa?
- Cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and in South Africa was 41.9% 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 64.0% in 2000.
- What is the lowest cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.5% in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and?
- South Africa ranks 44th out of 185 countries with data for 2021.
- Is cause of death, by communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South 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, female (% of total female deaths). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Number of female deaths due to communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions divided by number of all female deaths, 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.