Number of child deaths by age in South Africa
South Africa: Number of child deaths by age was 12,865 deaths in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
12,865 deaths
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
23rd
of 199 countries
All-time high
32,865 deaths
in 2005
All-time low
6,671 deaths
in 1984
Years of data
44
1981–2024
Number of child deaths by age in South Africa, 1981–2024
Source: United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of child deaths by age in South Africa is 12,865 deaths, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and up 21.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of child deaths by age in South Africa peaked at 32,865 deaths in 2005 and was at its lowest, 6,671 deaths, in 1984.
South Africa ranks 23rd of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of child deaths by age in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 6,863 deaths | — |
| 1982 | 6,734 deaths | -1.9% |
| 1983 | 6,675 deaths | -0.9% |
| 1984 | 6,671 deaths | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 6,674 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 6,701 deaths | +0.4% |
| 1987 | 6,675 deaths | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 6,723 deaths | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 6,905 deaths | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 7,331 deaths | +6.2% |
| 1991 | 8,078 deaths | +10.2% |
| 1992 | 9,193 deaths | +13.8% |
| 1993 | 10,804 deaths | +17.5% |
| 1994 | 12,858 deaths | +19.0% |
| 1995 | 15,097 deaths | +17.4% |
| 1996 | 17,493 deaths | +15.9% |
| 1997 | 19,870 deaths | +13.6% |
| 1998 | 22,780 deaths | +14.6% |
| 1999 | 25,236 deaths | +10.8% |
| 2000 | 27,286 deaths | +8.1% |
| 2001 | 29,373 deaths | +7.6% |
| 2002 | 30,847 deaths | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 31,919 deaths | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 32,710 deaths | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 32,865 deaths | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 32,305 deaths | -1.7% |
| 2007 | 29,289 deaths | -9.3% |
| 2008 | 25,220 deaths | -13.9% |
| 2009 | 21,280 deaths | -15.6% |
| 2010 | 16,604 deaths | -22.0% |
| 2011 | 13,021 deaths | -21.6% |
| 2012 | 11,492 deaths | -11.7% |
| 2013 | 10,942 deaths | -4.8% |
| 2014 | 10,613 deaths | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 10,492 deaths | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 10,467 deaths | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 10,552 deaths | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 10,681 deaths | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 10,842 deaths | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 10,872 deaths | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 11,224 deaths | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 11,741 deaths | +4.6% |
| 2023 | 12,338 deaths | +5.1% |
| 2024 | 12,865 deaths | +4.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6,736 deaths | 6,671 deaths | 6,905 deaths | 9 |
| 1990s | 14,874 deaths | 7,331 deaths | 25,236 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 29,309 deaths | 21,280 deaths | 32,865 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 11,571 deaths | 10,467 deaths | 16,604 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,808 deaths | 10,872 deaths | 12,865 deaths | 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)
- 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)
- Population ages 0-14, female, annual growth rate 0.4769 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per capita 0.1279 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, annual growth rate 0.5816 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per capita 0.1293 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of child deaths by age in South Africa?
- Number of child deaths by age in South Africa was 12,865 deaths in 2024, according to United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of child deaths by age recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32,865 deaths in 2005.
- What is the lowest number of child deaths by age recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,671 deaths in 1984.
- How does South Africa rank for number of child deaths by age?
- South Africa ranks 23rd out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of child deaths by age 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 United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of child deaths by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths of children aged between 1 and 4 .