Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa
South Africa: Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases was 37.2% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of total.
Analysis
In 2021, cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa stood at 37.2%.
The figure is down 25.1% on the previous year and down 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa peaked at 52.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 29.4%, in 2000.
That places South Africa 158th out of 185 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29.4% | — |
| 2010 | 37.6% | +28.2% |
| 2015 | 48.8% | +29.6% |
| 2019 | 52.3% | +7.1% |
| 2020 | 49.6% | -5.1% |
| 2021 | 37.2% | -25.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 37.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 65.0%, 57% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 37.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 36.0%, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.4% | 29.4% | 29.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 46.2% | 37.6% | 52.3% | 3 |
| 2020s | 43.4% | 37.2% | 49.6% | 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 non-communicable diseases in South Africa?
- Cause of death, by non-communicable diseases in South Africa was 37.2% in 2021, according to Global Health Estimates, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest cause of death, by non-communicable diseases recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 52.3% in 2019.
- What is the lowest cause of death, by non-communicable diseases recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.4% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for cause of death, by non-communicable diseases?
- South Africa ranks 158th out of 185 countries with data for 2021.
- Is cause of death, by non-communicable diseases rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.2%. 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 (% of total). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.