Deaths from pneumonia in South Africa
South Africa: Deaths from pneumonia was 32,876 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Deaths from pneumonia in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 32,876 deaths for deaths from pneumonia in 2021.
The figure is down 7.4% on the previous year and down 12.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths from pneumonia in South Africa peaked at 40,659 deaths in 2010 and was at its lowest, 25,342 deaths, in 2000.
That places South Africa 15th 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.
Deaths from pneumonia in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 25,342 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 26,079 deaths | +2.9% |
| 2002 | 28,698 deaths | +10.0% |
| 2003 | 31,167 deaths | +8.6% |
| 2004 | 32,215 deaths | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 32,855 deaths | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 35,029 deaths | +6.6% |
| 2007 | 36,692 deaths | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 37,028 deaths | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 35,716 deaths | -3.5% |
| 2010 | 40,659 deaths | +13.8% |
| 2011 | 37,358 deaths | -8.1% |
| 2012 | 37,438 deaths | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 37,010 deaths | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 37,331 deaths | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 37,336 deaths | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 36,466 deaths | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 35,481 deaths | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 36,388 deaths | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 36,979 deaths | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 35,520 deaths | -3.9% |
| 2021 | 32,876 deaths | -7.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 32,082 deaths | 25,342 deaths | 37,028 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 37,245 deaths | 35,481 deaths | 40,659 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 34,198 deaths | 32,876 deaths | 35,520 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 12 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 39,322 deaths compare
- 13 Thailand 36,734 deaths compare
- 14 Indonesia 35,453 deaths compare
- 16 Niger 28,505 deaths compare
- 17 Tanzania, United Republic of 28,356 deaths compare
- 18 Republic of Korea 27,438 deaths 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 60-64, female, annual growth rate 1.27 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per capita 0.0197 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, annual growth rate 0.6835 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per capita 0.015 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deaths from pneumonia in South Africa?
- Deaths from pneumonia in South Africa was 32,876 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths from pneumonia recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 40,659 deaths in 2010.
- What is the lowest deaths from pneumonia recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,342 deaths in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for deaths from pneumonia?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is deaths from pneumonia rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.0%. 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 pneumonia. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from lower respiratory infections in both sexes.