Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa

South Africa: Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence was 17.6% in 2030. ▲ Rising

Latest (2030)
17.6%
World rank
52nd
of 167 countries
All-time high
17.6%
in 2030
All-time low
15.2%
in 2000
Years of data
11
2000–2030

Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa, 2000–2030

051015202000201520302000: 15.22005: 15.42007: 15.52010: 15.72015: 16.32020: 16.82022: 172023: 17.12024: 17.22025: 17.22030: 17.6

Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.

Analysis

The most recent figure for estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa is 17.6%, measured in 2030. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is up 4.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa peaked at 17.6% in 2030 and was at its lowest, 15.2%, in 2000.

That places South Africa 52nd out of 167 countries with data for 2030, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.

Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence (%) in South Africa, 2000 to 2030.
Year Value Change
2000 15.2%
2005 15.4% +1.3%
2007 15.5% +0.6%
2010 15.7% +1.3%
2015 16.3% +3.8%
2020 16.8% +3.1%
2022 17.0% +1.2%
2023 17.1% +0.6%
2024 17.2% +0.6%
2025 17.2% +0.0%
2030 17.6% +2.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 15.4% 15.2% 15.5% 3
2010s 16.0% 15.7% 16.3% 2
2020s 17.1% 16.8% 17.2% 5
2030s 17.6% 17.6% 17.6% 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 50 Argentina 18.5% compare
  2. 51 Tunisia 17.9% compare
  3. 53 Belgium 17.5% compare
  4. 54 Slovenia 16.9% compare
  5. 54 Israel 16.9% compare
  6. 54 Estonia 16.9% compare

See the full ranking of 168 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa?
Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa was 17.6% in 2030, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
What is the highest estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 17.6% in 2030.
What is the lowest estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 15.2% in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence?
South Africa ranks 52nd out of 167 countries with data for 2030.
Is estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.8%. 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, published as part of Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/estimate-of-current-cigarette-smoking-prevalence-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Estimate of current cigarette smoking prevalence (%)
Source
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO)
Coverage
168 places, 1,848 data points, 2000–2030
Last refreshed