Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa
South Africa: Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or was 2.41 million in 2024. ▼ Falling
Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa, 2010–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa stood at 2.41 million. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 4.0% on the previous year and down 21.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa peaked at 3.30 million in 2010 and was at its lowest, 2.41 million, in 2024.
That places South Africa 8th out of 139 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.30 million | — |
| 2011 | 3.29 million | -0.3% |
| 2012 | 3.22 million | -2.1% |
| 2013 | 3.13 million | -2.8% |
| 2014 | 3.05 million | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 2.97 million | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 2.90 million | -2.4% |
| 2017 | 2.80 million | -3.4% |
| 2018 | 2.71 million | -3.2% |
| 2019 | 2.66 million | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 2.60 million | -2.3% |
| 2021 | 2.57 million | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 2.55 million | -0.8% |
| 2023 | 2.51 million | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 2.41 million | -4.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.41 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 115,000, 21.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.41 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 885,000, 2.7× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 3.00 million | 2.66 million | 3.30 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.53 million | 2.41 million | 2.60 million | 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)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa?
- Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or in South Africa was 2.41 million in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.30 million in 2010.
- What is the lowest estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.41 million in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or?
- South Africa ranks 8th out of 139 countries with data for 2024.
- Is estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Estimated number of children (aged 0-17 years) who have lost one or both parents due to all causes. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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