Child mortality rate in South Africa
South Africa: Child mortality rate 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 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% |
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)
- 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 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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