Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults was 11.3 in 2014. ▲ Rising
Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa, 1980–2014
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 11.3 for prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in 2014. That is the highest value across all 35 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.8% on the previous year and up 20.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa peaked at 11.3 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 6.3, in 1980.
That places South Africa 51st out of 190 countries with data for 2014, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 6.3 | — |
| 1981 | 6.4 | +1.6% |
| 1982 | 6.4 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 6.5 | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 6.6 | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 6.6 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 6.7 | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 6.8 | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 6.9 | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 7 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 7.1 | +1.4% |
| 1991 | 7.2 | +1.4% |
| 1992 | 7.3 | +1.4% |
| 1993 | 7.5 | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 7.6 | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 7.8 | +2.6% |
| 1996 | 7.9 | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 8.1 | +2.5% |
| 1998 | 8.3 | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 8.5 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 8.6 | +1.2% |
| 2001 | 8.8 | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 9 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 9.2 | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 9.4 | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 9.6 | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 9.8 | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 10 | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 10.2 | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 10.4 | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 10.6 | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 10.8 | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 10.9 | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 11.1 | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 11.3 | +1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6.62 | 6.3 | 7 | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.73 | 7.1 | 8.5 | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.5 | 8.6 | 10.4 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.94 | 10.6 | 11.3 | 5 |
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 75-79, female, annual growth rate 7.34 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per capita 0.0067 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, annual growth rate 8.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per capita 0.0039 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa?
- Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults in South Africa was 11.3 in 2014, according to World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest prevalence rate of diabetes in adults recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.3 in 2014.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of diabetes in adults recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.3 in 1980.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence rate of diabetes in adults?
- South Africa ranks 51st out of 190 countries with data for 2014.
- Is prevalence rate of diabetes in adults rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.2%. 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 - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Prevalence rate of diabetes in adults. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of people with diabetes among those aged over 18, based on general population surveys and statistical modeling. Diabetes is a risk factor for chronic complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.