Child deaths (aged 1-4 years) in South Africa
South Africa: Child deaths (aged 1-4 years) was 12,865 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
12,865
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
23rd
of 200 countries
All-time high
32,865
in 2005
All-time low
6,671
in 1984
Years of data
44
1981–2024
Child deaths in South Africa, 1981–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 12,865 for child deaths in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.3% on the previous year and up 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child deaths in South Africa peaked at 32,865 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 6,671, in 1984.
South Africa ranks 23rd of 200 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Child deaths (aged 1-4 years) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 6,863 | — |
| 1982 | 6,734 | -1.9% |
| 1983 | 6,675 | -0.9% |
| 1984 | 6,671 | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 6,674 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 6,701 | +0.4% |
| 1987 | 6,675 | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 6,723 | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 6,905 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 7,331 | +6.2% |
| 1991 | 8,078 | +10.2% |
| 1992 | 9,193 | +13.8% |
| 1993 | 10,804 | +17.5% |
| 1994 | 12,858 | +19.0% |
| 1995 | 15,097 | +17.4% |
| 1996 | 17,493 | +15.9% |
| 1997 | 19,870 | +13.6% |
| 1998 | 22,780 | +14.6% |
| 1999 | 25,236 | +10.8% |
| 2000 | 27,286 | +8.1% |
| 2001 | 29,373 | +7.6% |
| 2002 | 30,847 | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 31,919 | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 32,710 | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 32,865 | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 32,305 | -1.7% |
| 2007 | 29,289 | -9.3% |
| 2008 | 25,220 | -13.9% |
| 2009 | 21,280 | -15.6% |
| 2010 | 16,604 | -22.0% |
| 2011 | 13,021 | -21.6% |
| 2012 | 11,492 | -11.7% |
| 2013 | 10,942 | -4.8% |
| 2014 | 10,613 | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 10,492 | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 10,467 | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 10,552 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 10,681 | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 10,842 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 10,872 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 11,224 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 11,741 | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 12,338 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | 12,865 | +4.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 12,865 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 165, 78.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 12,865 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7,144, 1.8× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6,736 | 6,671 | 6,905 | 9 |
| 1990s | 14,874 | 7,331 | 25,236 | 10 |
| 2000s | 29,309 | 21,280 | 32,865 | 10 |
| 2010s | 11,571 | 10,467 | 16,604 | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,808 | 10,872 | 12,865 | 5 |
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)
- 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 child deaths in South Africa?
- Child deaths in South Africa was 12,865 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest child deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32,865 in 2005.
- What is the lowest child deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,671 in 1984.
- How does South Africa rank for child deaths?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child deaths rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Child deaths (aged 1-4 years). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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