Death rate from malaria in South Africa
South Africa: Death rate from malaria was 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2021)
0.09 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 50.0%
World rank
56th
of 194 countries
All-time high
0.68 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2000
All-time low
0.06 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2016
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Death rate from malaria in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
In 2021, death rate from malaria in South Africa stood at 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people.
That represents a change of up 50.0% on the previous year and down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, death rate from malaria in South Africa peaked at 0.68 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2016.
South Africa ranks 56th of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Death rate from malaria in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.68 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 0.35 deaths per 100,000 people | -48.5% |
| 2002 | 0.28 deaths per 100,000 people | -20.0% |
| 2003 | 0.29 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 0.21 deaths per 100,000 people | -27.6% |
| 2005 | 0.13 deaths per 100,000 people | -38.1% |
| 2006 | 0.18 deaths per 100,000 people | +38.5% |
| 2007 | 0.08 deaths per 100,000 people | -55.6% |
| 2008 | 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +12.5% |
| 2009 | 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.16 deaths per 100,000 people | +77.8% |
| 2011 | 0.1 deaths per 100,000 people | -37.5% |
| 2012 | 0.14 deaths per 100,000 people | +40.0% |
| 2013 | 0.19 deaths per 100,000 people | +35.7% |
| 2014 | 0.32 deaths per 100,000 people | +68.4% |
| 2015 | 0.2 deaths per 100,000 people | -37.5% |
| 2016 | 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people | -70.0% |
| 2017 | 0.53 deaths per 100,000 people | +783.3% |
| 2018 | 0.12 deaths per 100,000 people | -77.4% |
| 2019 | 0.14 deaths per 100,000 people | +16.7% |
| 2020 | 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people | -57.1% |
| 2021 | 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +50.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.238 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.08 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.68 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.196 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.53 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.075 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people | 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 53 Afghanistan 0.24 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 54 Pakistan 0.2 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 55 Botswana 0.15 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 57 Lao People's Democratic Republic 0.08 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 58 Cambodia 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 59 Peru 0.05 deaths per 100,000 people compare
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 death rate from malaria in South Africa?
- Death rate from malaria in South Africa was 0.09 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest death rate from malaria recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.68 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest death rate from malaria recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.06 deaths per 100,000 people in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for death rate from malaria?
- South Africa ranks 56th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is death rate from malaria rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Death rate from malaria. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from malaria in both sexes, per 100,000 people.