Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa
South Africa: Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group was 3.52 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
3.52
Change on year
up 0.9%
World rank
52nd
of 106 countries
All-time high
8.34
in 2004
All-time low
3.39
in 2020
Years of data
35
1990–2024
Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 3.52 for child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and down 11.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa peaked at 8.34 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 3.39, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 52nd of 106 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5.91 | — |
| 1991 | 5.77 | -2.4% |
| 1992 | 5.7 | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 5.74 | +0.7% |
| 1994 | 5.86 | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 6.01 | +2.4% |
| 1996 | 6.19 | +3.1% |
| 1997 | 6.41 | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 6.72 | +4.9% |
| 1999 | 7.03 | +4.7% |
| 2000 | 7.32 | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 7.67 | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 7.93 | +3.5% |
| 2003 | 8.17 | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 8.34 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 8.24 | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 7.93 | -3.8% |
| 2007 | 7.32 | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 6.53 | -10.9% |
| 2009 | 5.79 | -11.3% |
| 2010 | 5.09 | -12.1% |
| 2011 | 4.6 | -9.6% |
| 2012 | 4.33 | -5.8% |
| 2013 | 4.16 | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 3.99 | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 3.83 | -4.0% |
| 2016 | 3.69 | -3.6% |
| 2017 | 3.58 | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 3.49 | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 3.43 | -1.7% |
| 2020 | 3.39 | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 3.4 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 3.44 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 3.49 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 3.52 | +0.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3.52 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.34, 2.6× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3.52 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.95, 59% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.13 | 5.7 | 7.03 | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.52 | 5.79 | 8.34 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.02 | 3.43 | 5.09 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.45 | 3.39 | 3.52 | 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 under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa?
- Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group in South Africa was 3.52 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality under five death rate by wealth group recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.34 in 2004.
- What is the lowest child mortality under five death rate by wealth group recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.39 in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for child mortality under five death rate by wealth group?
- South Africa ranks 52nd out of 106 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child mortality under five death rate by wealth group rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality under five death rate by wealth group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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