Child mortality rate in South Africa
South Africa: Child mortality rate was 3.7% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
3.7%
Change on year
down 7.8%
World rank
52nd
of 236 countries
All-time high
23.2%
in 1950
All-time low
2.9%
in 2020
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Child mortality rate in South Africa, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children.
Analysis
The most recent figure for child mortality rate in South Africa is 3.7%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 7.8% on the previous year and down 12.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality rate in South Africa peaked at 23.2% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 52nd of 236 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 | % of children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 23.2% | — |
| 1951 | 22.3% | -3.9% |
| 1952 | 21.4% | -4.1% |
| 1953 | 20.4% | -4.3% |
| 1954 | 19.5% | -4.6% |
| 1955 | 18.6% | -4.8% |
| 1956 | 17.7% | -4.8% |
| 1957 | 16.8% | -4.7% |
| 1958 | 16.1% | -4.5% |
| 1959 | 15.5% | -3.7% |
| 1960 | 15.0% | -3.3% |
| 1961 | 14.6% | -2.6% |
| 1962 | 14.3% | -2.2% |
| 1963 | 14.0% | -1.7% |
| 1964 | 13.8% | -1.5% |
| 1965 | 13.6% | -1.3% |
| 1966 | 13.4% | -1.5% |
| 1967 | 13.2% | -1.4% |
| 1968 | 13.0% | -1.5% |
| 1969 | 12.8% | -1.6% |
| 1970 | 12.6% | -1.7% |
| 1971 | 12.4% | -2.0% |
| 1972 | 12.1% | -2.2% |
| 1973 | 11.8% | -2.3% |
| 1974 | 11.5% | -2.5% |
| 1975 | 11.2% | -2.8% |
| 1976 | 10.9% | -2.8% |
| 1977 | 10.5% | -3.2% |
| 1978 | 10.2% | -3.5% |
| 1979 | 9.8% | -3.8% |
| 1980 | 9.4% | -4.0% |
| 1981 | 9.0% | -4.2% |
| 1982 | 8.6% | -4.5% |
| 1983 | 8.2% | -4.5% |
| 1984 | 7.9% | -4.4% |
| 1985 | 7.5% | -4.4% |
| 1986 | 7.2% | -4.1% |
| 1987 | 6.9% | -3.5% |
| 1988 | 6.7% | -3.9% |
| 1989 | 6.5% | -3.0% |
| 1990 | 6.3% | -2.3% |
| 1991 | 6.2% | -2.2% |
| 1992 | 6.1% | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 6.1% | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 6.1% | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 6.2% | +1.4% |
| 1996 | 6.3% | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 6.5% | +2.3% |
| 1998 | 6.7% | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 6.9% | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 6.9% | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 7.2% | +5.2% |
| 2002 | 7.7% | +6.6% |
| 2003 | 8.0% | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 8.0% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 7.8% | -2.0% |
| 2006 | 7.4% | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 7.1% | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 6.7% | -4.7% |
| 2009 | 5.8% | -14.0% |
| 2010 | 5.3% | -7.7% |
| 2011 | 4.2% | -21.8% |
| 2012 | 4.2% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 4.3% | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 4.2% | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 3.9% | -6.9% |
| 2016 | 3.6% | -7.3% |
| 2017 | 3.3% | -9.3% |
| 2018 | 3.5% | +6.7% |
| 2019 | 3.7% | +4.5% |
| 2020 | 2.9% | -20.1% |
| 2021 | 3.6% | +24.1% |
| 2022 | 4.1% | +11.6% |
| 2023 | 3.7% | -7.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 19.1% | 15.5% | 23.2% | 10 |
| 1960s | 13.8% | 12.8% | 15.0% | 10 |
| 1970s | 11.3% | 9.8% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.3% | 6.1% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.3% | 5.8% | 8.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.0% | 3.3% | 5.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.6% | 2.9% | 4.1% | 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)
- 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 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0081 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0035 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 5,666 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child mortality rate in South Africa?
- Child mortality rate in South Africa was 3.7% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23.2% in 1950.
- What is the lowest child mortality rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for child mortality rate?
- South Africa ranks 52nd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is child mortality rate 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 UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of children who die before reaching the age of 5.