Deaths from poisoning in South Africa
South Africa: Deaths from poisoning was 1,007 deaths in 2021. ▲ Rising
Deaths from poisoning 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 poisoning in South Africa stood at 1,007 deaths. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.5% on the previous year and up 15.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths from poisoning in South Africa peaked at 1,007 deaths in 2021 and was at its lowest, 562.69 deaths, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 8th 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 poisoning in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 562.69 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 568.2 deaths | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 619.47 deaths | +9.0% |
| 2003 | 654.26 deaths | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 665.22 deaths | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 649.85 deaths | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 670.32 deaths | +3.1% |
| 2007 | 686.03 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 765.63 deaths | +11.6% |
| 2009 | 764.74 deaths | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 916.82 deaths | +19.9% |
| 2011 | 873.18 deaths | -4.8% |
| 2012 | 889.83 deaths | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 902.57 deaths | +1.4% |
| 2014 | 952.89 deaths | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 974.44 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 925.24 deaths | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 860.96 deaths | -6.9% |
| 2018 | 887.32 deaths | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 922.05 deaths | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 963.36 deaths | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 1,007 deaths | +4.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 660.64 deaths | 562.69 deaths | 765.63 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 910.53 deaths | 860.96 deaths | 974.44 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 985.01 deaths | 963.36 deaths | 1,007 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 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0081 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0035 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 5,666 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deaths from poisoning in South Africa?
- Deaths from poisoning in South Africa was 1,007 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths from poisoning recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,007 deaths in 2021.
- What is the lowest deaths from poisoning recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 562.69 deaths in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for deaths from poisoning?
- South Africa ranks 8th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is deaths from poisoning rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.3%. 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 poisoning. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from poisonings in both sexes.