Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa

South Africa: Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male was 27.0% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
27.0%
Change on year
down 32.0%
World rank
178th
of 185 countries
All-time high
44.3%
in 2019
All-time low
27.0%
in 2021
Years of data
6
2000–2021

Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa, 2000–2021

0102030402000201020212000: 28.3 % of total male deaths2010: 31.9 % of total male deaths2015: 41.6 % of total male deaths2019: 44.3 % of total male deaths2020: 39.7 % of total male deaths2021: 27 % of total male deaths

Source: Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of total male deaths.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 27.0% for cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.

The figure is down 32.0% on the previous year and down 15.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa peaked at 44.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 27.0%, in 2021.

South Africa ranks 178th of 185 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male (% of total male deaths) in South Africa, 2000 to 2021.
Year % of total male deaths Change
2000 28.3%
2010 31.9% +12.5%
2015 41.6% +30.4%
2019 44.3% +6.6%
2020 39.7% -10.4%
2021 27.0% -32.0%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 27.0% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 59.4%, 45% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 27.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.4%, 81% of the median. (48 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 28.3% 28.3% 28.3% 1
2010s 39.2% 31.9% 44.3% 3
2020s 33.3% 27.0% 39.7% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 175 Lesotho 28.0% compare
  2. 176 Nigeria 27.8% compare
  3. 177 Afghanistan 27.5% compare
  4. 179 Mali 26.4% compare
  5. 180 Namibia 24.6% compare
  6. 181 Somalia 23.4% compare

See the full ranking of 232 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa?
Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa was 27.0% in 2021, according to Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO).
What is the highest cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 44.3% in 2019.
What is the lowest cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 27.0% in 2021.
How does South Africa rank for cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male?
South Africa ranks 178th out of 185 countries with data for 2021.
Is cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
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 non-communicable diseases, male (% of total male deaths). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/cause-of-death-by-non-communicable-diseases-male-percent-of-total-male-deaths/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases, male (% of total male deaths)
Unit
% of total male deaths
Source
Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
232 places, 1,392 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed

Number of male deaths ages due to non-communicable diseases divided by number of all male deaths ages, expressed by percentage. Non-Communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.