Deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa
South Africa: Deaths from alcohol use disorders was 828.78 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
In 2021, deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa stood at 828.78 deaths.
The figure is down 2.1% on the previous year and up 29.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa peaked at 846.4 deaths in 2020 and was at its lowest, 460.33 deaths, in 2005.
That places South Africa 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 478.39 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 461.64 deaths | -3.5% |
| 2002 | 489.02 deaths | +5.9% |
| 2003 | 493.2 deaths | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 468.08 deaths | -5.1% |
| 2005 | 460.33 deaths | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 488.83 deaths | +6.2% |
| 2007 | 491.64 deaths | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 516.94 deaths | +5.1% |
| 2009 | 511.72 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 663.28 deaths | +29.6% |
| 2011 | 642.36 deaths | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 678.7 deaths | +5.7% |
| 2013 | 694.07 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 739.07 deaths | +6.5% |
| 2015 | 774.41 deaths | +4.8% |
| 2016 | 767.49 deaths | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 733.72 deaths | -4.4% |
| 2018 | 750.49 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 761 deaths | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 846.4 deaths | +11.2% |
| 2021 | 828.78 deaths | -2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 485.98 deaths | 460.33 deaths | 516.94 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 720.46 deaths | 642.36 deaths | 774.41 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 837.59 deaths | 828.78 deaths | 846.4 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)
- 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 deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa?
- Deaths from alcohol use disorders in South Africa was 828.78 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths from alcohol use disorders recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 846.4 deaths in 2020.
- What is the lowest deaths from alcohol use disorders recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 460.33 deaths in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for deaths from alcohol use disorders?
- South Africa ranks 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is deaths from alcohol use disorders rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.0%. 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 Deaths from alcohol use disorders. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from alcohol use disorders in both sexes.