Child mortality rate (aged 1-4 years) in South Africa
South Africa: Child mortality rate (aged 1-4 years) was 11.12 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
11.12
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
32nd
of 200 countries
All-time high
33.65
in 2005
All-time low
6.02
in 1988
Years of data
49
1976–2024
Child mortality rate in South Africa, 1976–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 11.12 for child mortality rate in 2024.
That represents a change of up 3.8% on the previous year and up 19.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality rate in South Africa peaked at 33.65 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 6.02, in 1988.
South Africa ranks 32nd 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 mortality rate (aged 1-4 years) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 9.95 | — |
| 1977 | 9.39 | -5.6% |
| 1978 | 8.88 | -5.4% |
| 1979 | 8.39 | -5.5% |
| 1980 | 8.08 | -3.7% |
| 1981 | 7.69 | -4.7% |
| 1982 | 7.36 | -4.4% |
| 1983 | 7.07 | -4.0% |
| 1984 | 6.82 | -3.5% |
| 1985 | 6.57 | -3.6% |
| 1986 | 6.36 | -3.2% |
| 1987 | 6.14 | -3.5% |
| 1988 | 6.02 | -1.9% |
| 1989 | 6.06 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 6.36 | +5.1% |
| 1991 | 7.02 | +10.3% |
| 1992 | 8.06 | +14.9% |
| 1993 | 9.6 | +19.1% |
| 1994 | 11.58 | +20.6% |
| 1995 | 13.79 | +19.1% |
| 1996 | 16.17 | +17.2% |
| 1997 | 18.47 | +14.2% |
| 1998 | 21.36 | +15.7% |
| 1999 | 23.85 | +11.7% |
| 2000 | 26.07 | +9.3% |
| 2001 | 28.68 | +10.0% |
| 2002 | 30.8 | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 32.46 | +5.4% |
| 2004 | 33.65 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 33.65 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 32.38 | -3.8% |
| 2007 | 28.48 | -12.1% |
| 2008 | 23.74 | -16.6% |
| 2009 | 19.37 | -18.4% |
| 2010 | 14.74 | -23.9% |
| 2011 | 11.46 | -22.3% |
| 2012 | 10.07 | -12.1% |
| 2013 | 9.61 | -4.5% |
| 2014 | 9.34 | -2.9% |
| 2015 | 9.15 | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 9.05 | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 9.12 | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 9.28 | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 9.5 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 9.59 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 9.88 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 10.27 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 10.71 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | 11.12 | +3.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 11.12 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.62, 6.9× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 11.12 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.74, 81% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 9.15 | 8.39 | 9.95 | 4 |
| 1980s | 6.82 | 6.02 | 8.08 | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.63 | 6.36 | 23.85 | 10 |
| 2000s | 28.93 | 19.37 | 33.65 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.13 | 9.05 | 14.74 | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.31 | 9.59 | 11.12 | 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 mortality rate in South Africa?
- Child mortality rate in South Africa was 11.12 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest child mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 33.65 in 2005.
- What is the lowest child mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.02 in 1988.
- How does South Africa rank for child mortality rate?
- South Africa ranks 32nd out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child mortality rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.1%. 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 mortality rate (aged 1-4 years). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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