Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa
South Africa: Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex was 927.98 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa is 927.98 deaths, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.0% on the previous year and up 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa peaked at 927.98 deaths in 2021 and was at its lowest, 377.1 deaths, in 2001.
That places South Africa 11th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 381.42 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 377.1 deaths | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 481.02 deaths | +27.6% |
| 2003 | 551.95 deaths | +14.7% |
| 2004 | 521.82 deaths | -5.5% |
| 2005 | 496.67 deaths | -4.8% |
| 2006 | 526.04 deaths | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 571.68 deaths | +8.7% |
| 2008 | 710.4 deaths | +24.3% |
| 2009 | 705.54 deaths | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 859.67 deaths | +21.8% |
| 2011 | 794.43 deaths | -7.6% |
| 2012 | 746.72 deaths | -6.0% |
| 2013 | 719.56 deaths | -3.6% |
| 2014 | 731.55 deaths | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 722.59 deaths | -1.2% |
| 2016 | 690.16 deaths | -4.5% |
| 2017 | 658.75 deaths | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 683.14 deaths | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 709.84 deaths | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 828.57 deaths | +16.7% |
| 2021 | 927.98 deaths | +12.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 927.98 deaths is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 23.6 deaths, 39.3× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 927.98 deaths is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.52 deaths, 41.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 532.36 deaths | 377.1 deaths | 710.4 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 731.64 deaths | 658.75 deaths | 859.67 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 878.28 deaths | 828.57 deaths | 927.98 deaths | 2 |
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)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa?
- Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex in South Africa was 927.98 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 927.98 deaths in 2021.
- What is the lowest alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 377.1 deaths in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex?
- South Africa ranks 11th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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 Alcohol and drug use disorders deaths by sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from substance use disorders in females.