Child mortality around the world in South Africa
South Africa: Child mortality around the world was 3.74 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
3.74
Change on year
down 7.8%
World rank
52nd
of 236 countries
All-time high
23.18
in 1950
All-time low
2.93
in 2020
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Child mortality around the world in South Africa, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2023, child mortality around the world in South Africa stood at 3.74.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.8% on the previous year and down 12.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality around the world in South Africa peaked at 23.18 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.93, in 2020.
That places South Africa 52nd out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Child mortality around the world in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 23.18 | — |
| 1951 | 22.27 | -3.9% |
| 1952 | 21.36 | -4.1% |
| 1953 | 20.45 | -4.3% |
| 1954 | 19.51 | -4.6% |
| 1955 | 18.57 | -4.8% |
| 1956 | 17.67 | -4.8% |
| 1957 | 16.84 | -4.7% |
| 1958 | 16.09 | -4.5% |
| 1959 | 15.49 | -3.7% |
| 1960 | 14.98 | -3.3% |
| 1961 | 14.59 | -2.6% |
| 1962 | 14.26 | -2.2% |
| 1963 | 14.02 | -1.7% |
| 1964 | 13.8 | -1.5% |
| 1965 | 13.62 | -1.3% |
| 1966 | 13.42 | -1.5% |
| 1967 | 13.24 | -1.4% |
| 1968 | 13.04 | -1.5% |
| 1969 | 12.83 | -1.6% |
| 1970 | 12.62 | -1.7% |
| 1971 | 12.36 | -2.0% |
| 1972 | 12.09 | -2.2% |
| 1973 | 11.82 | -2.3% |
| 1974 | 11.53 | -2.5% |
| 1975 | 11.21 | -2.8% |
| 1976 | 10.89 | -2.8% |
| 1977 | 10.54 | -3.2% |
| 1978 | 10.17 | -3.5% |
| 1979 | 9.79 | -3.8% |
| 1980 | 9.39 | -4.0% |
| 1981 | 9 | -4.2% |
| 1982 | 8.6 | -4.5% |
| 1983 | 8.21 | -4.5% |
| 1984 | 7.85 | -4.4% |
| 1985 | 7.51 | -4.4% |
| 1986 | 7.2 | -4.1% |
| 1987 | 6.95 | -3.5% |
| 1988 | 6.68 | -3.9% |
| 1989 | 6.48 | -3.0% |
| 1990 | 6.33 | -2.3% |
| 1991 | 6.19 | -2.2% |
| 1992 | 6.12 | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 6.11 | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 6.13 | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 6.21 | +1.4% |
| 1996 | 6.34 | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 6.48 | +2.3% |
| 1998 | 6.66 | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 6.85 | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 6.89 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 7.25 | +5.2% |
| 2002 | 7.73 | +6.6% |
| 2003 | 8.01 | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 7.98 | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 7.82 | -2.0% |
| 2006 | 7.38 | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 7.07 | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 6.74 | -4.7% |
| 2009 | 5.8 | -14.0% |
| 2010 | 5.35 | -7.7% |
| 2011 | 4.19 | -21.8% |
| 2012 | 4.2 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 4.27 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 4.2 | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 3.91 | -6.9% |
| 2016 | 3.62 | -7.3% |
| 2017 | 3.29 | -9.3% |
| 2018 | 3.51 | +6.7% |
| 2019 | 3.67 | +4.5% |
| 2020 | 2.93 | -20.1% |
| 2021 | 3.63 | +24.1% |
| 2022 | 4.05 | +11.6% |
| 2023 | 3.74 | -7.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3.74 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.38, 2.7× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3.74 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.99, 75% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 19.14 | 15.49 | 23.18 | 10 |
| 1960s | 13.78 | 12.83 | 14.98 | 10 |
| 1970s | 11.3 | 9.79 | 12.62 | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.79 | 6.48 | 9.39 | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.34 | 6.11 | 6.85 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.27 | 5.8 | 8.01 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.02 | 3.29 | 5.35 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.59 | 2.93 | 4.05 | 4 |
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 mortality around the world in South Africa?
- Child mortality around the world in South Africa was 3.74 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality around the world recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23.18 in 1950.
- What is the lowest child mortality around the world recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.93 in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for child mortality around the world?
- South Africa ranks 52nd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is child mortality around the world rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality around the world. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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