Deaths from meningitis in South Africa
South Africa: Deaths from meningitis was 3,538 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Deaths from meningitis 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 deaths from meningitis in South Africa is 3,538 deaths, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and down 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths from meningitis in South Africa peaked at 4,196 deaths in 2010 and was at its lowest, 2,051 deaths, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 13th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Deaths from meningitis in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2,051 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 2,148 deaths | +4.7% |
| 2002 | 2,437 deaths | +13.5% |
| 2003 | 2,726 deaths | +11.9% |
| 2004 | 2,920 deaths | +7.1% |
| 2005 | 2,992 deaths | +2.5% |
| 2006 | 3,198 deaths | +6.9% |
| 2007 | 3,444 deaths | +7.7% |
| 2008 | 3,649 deaths | +5.9% |
| 2009 | 3,576 deaths | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 4,196 deaths | +17.3% |
| 2011 | 3,846 deaths | -8.3% |
| 2012 | 3,802 deaths | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 3,730 deaths | -1.9% |
| 2014 | 3,714 deaths | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 3,598 deaths | -3.1% |
| 2016 | 3,280 deaths | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 3,051 deaths | -7.0% |
| 2018 | 3,151 deaths | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 3,255 deaths | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 3,490 deaths | +7.2% |
| 2021 | 3,538 deaths | +1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,914 deaths | 2,051 deaths | 3,649 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,562 deaths | 3,051 deaths | 4,196 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,514 deaths | 3,490 deaths | 3,538 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 meningitis in South Africa?
- Deaths from meningitis in South Africa was 3,538 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths from meningitis recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4,196 deaths in 2010.
- What is the lowest deaths from meningitis recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,051 deaths in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for deaths from meningitis?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is deaths from meningitis rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.0%. 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 meningitis. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from meningitis in both sexes.