Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa
South Africa: Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters was 47.01 per 100,000 population in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa, 2005–2020
Source: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per 100,000 population.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 47.01 per 100,000 population for rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in 2020. That is the highest value across all 16 years on record.
That represents a change of up 17,980.8% on the previous year and up 27,552.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa peaked at 47.01 per 100,000 population in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0 per 100,000 population, in 2005.
South Africa ranks 4th of 140 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa, year by year
| Year | per 100,000 population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 per 100,000 population | — |
| 2006 | 0.02 per 100,000 population | — |
| 2007 | 0.1 per 100,000 population | +400.0% |
| 2008 | 0.46 per 100,000 population | +360.0% |
| 2009 | 0.06 per 100,000 population | -87.0% |
| 2010 | 0.17 per 100,000 population | +183.3% |
| 2011 | 0.12 per 100,000 population | -29.4% |
| 2012 | 0.57 per 100,000 population | +375.0% |
| 2013 | 0.12 per 100,000 population | -78.9% |
| 2014 | 0.06 per 100,000 population | -50.0% |
| 2015 | 0.54 per 100,000 population | +800.0% |
| 2016 | 0.52 per 100,000 population | -3.7% |
| 2017 | 0.06 per 100,000 population | -88.5% |
| 2018 | 0 per 100,000 population | -100.0% |
| 2019 | 0.26 per 100,000 population | — |
| 2020 | 47.01 per 100,000 population | +17980.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.128 per 100,000 population | 0 per 100,000 population | 0.46 per 100,000 population | 5 |
| 2010s | 0.242 per 100,000 population | 0 per 100,000 population | 0.57 per 100,000 population | 10 |
| 2020s | 47.01 per 100,000 population | 47.01 per 100,000 population | 47.01 per 100,000 population | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 United States of America 138.36 per 100,000 population compare
- 2 Cyprus 51.6 per 100,000 population compare
- 3 Palau 50.68 per 100,000 population compare
- 5 Marshall Islands 42.42 per 100,000 population compare
- 6 Sweden 41.69 per 100,000 population compare
- 7 Kuwait 21.23 per 100,000 population 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)
- Total tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 22 (2025)
- Total tetanus - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, gaps filled 314 (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Measles - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2,778 (2025)
- Measles - number of reported cases, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa?
- Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters in South Africa was 47.01 per 100,000 population in 2020, according to UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 47.01 per 100,000 population in 2020.
- What is the lowest rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 per 100,000 population in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 140 countries with data for 2020.
- Is rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27,552.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Rate of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of deaths and missing persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (number).