Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa

South Africa: Deaths from natural disasters was 43.76 in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
43.76
Change on year
up 216.9%
World rank
20th
of 192 countries
All-time high
107.71
in 2019
All-time low
0
in 2007
Years of data
22
2000–2021

Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa, 2000–2021

02550751002000201020212000: 100.72001: 19.42002: 41.52003: 42004: 32005: 22006: 12.12007: 02008: 17.32009: 35.82010: 20.52011: 67.72012: 16.52013: 4.72014: 35.32015: 02016: 13.62017: 28.22018: 02019: 107.72020: 13.82021: 43.8

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 43.76 for deaths from natural disasters in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 216.9% on the previous year and down 35.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, deaths from natural disasters in South Africa peaked at 107.71 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2007.

South Africa ranks 20th of 192 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 100.73
2001 19.38 -80.8%
2002 41.55 +114.4%
2003 4.04 -90.3%
2004 3.02 -25.2%
2005 2.02 -33.1%
2006 12.13 +500.5%
2007 0 -100.0%
2008 17.33
2009 35.81 +106.6%
2010 20.47 -42.8%
2011 67.7 +230.7%
2012 16.47 -75.7%
2013 4.71 -71.4%
2014 35.27 +648.8%
2015 0 -100.0%
2016 13.59
2017 28.16 +107.2%
2018 0 -100.0%
2019 107.71
2020 13.81 -87.2%
2021 43.76 +216.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 23.6 0 100.73 10
2010s 29.41 0 107.71 10
2020s 28.79 13.81 43.76 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 17 Tanzania, United Republic of 51.65 compare
  2. 18 Colombia 49.86 compare
  3. 19 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 45.78 compare
  4. 21 Belgium 43.09 compare
  5. 22 Brazil 41.18 compare
  6. 23 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 41.03 compare

See the full ranking of 194 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is deaths from natural disasters in South Africa?
Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa was 43.76 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest deaths from natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 107.71 in 2019.
What is the lowest deaths from natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2007.
How does South Africa rank for deaths from natural disasters?
South Africa ranks 20th out of 192 countries with data for 2021.
Is deaths from natural disasters rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 35.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Deaths from natural disasters. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Deaths from natural disasters in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/deaths-from-natural-disasters/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Deaths from natural disasters
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
194 places, 4,268 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed