Estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa
South Africa: Estimated number of malaria cases was 735 Cases in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Cases.
Analysis
The most recent figure for estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa is 735 Cases, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 86.1% on the previous year and down 93.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa peaked at 26,506 Cases in 2001 and was at its lowest, 735 Cases, in 2024.
That places South Africa 69th out of 109 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 18,202 Cases | — |
| 2001 | 26,506 Cases | +45.6% |
| 2002 | 15,649 Cases | -41.0% |
| 2003 | 13,459 Cases | -14.0% |
| 2004 | 13,399 Cases | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 7,755 Cases | -42.1% |
| 2006 | 12,098 Cases | +56.0% |
| 2007 | 6,327 Cases | -47.7% |
| 2008 | 7,796 Cases | +23.2% |
| 2009 | 6,072 Cases | -22.1% |
| 2010 | 8,060 Cases | +32.7% |
| 2011 | 9,866 Cases | +22.4% |
| 2012 | 6,621 Cases | -32.9% |
| 2013 | 8,645 Cases | +30.6% |
| 2014 | 11,705 Cases | +35.4% |
| 2015 | 4,959 Cases | -57.6% |
| 2016 | 4,323 Cases | -12.8% |
| 2017 | 23,381 Cases | +440.9% |
| 2018 | 9,562 Cases | -59.1% |
| 2019 | 4,821 Cases | -49.6% |
| 2020 | 4,463 Cases | -7.4% |
| 2021 | 2,972 Cases | -33.4% |
| 2022 | 2,043 Cases | -31.3% |
| 2023 | 5,291 Cases | +159.0% |
| 2024 | 735 Cases | -86.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12,726 Cases | 6,072 Cases | 26,506 Cases | 10 |
| 2010s | 9,194 Cases | 4,323 Cases | 23,381 Cases | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,101 Cases | 735 Cases | 5,291 Cases | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 66 Honduras 2,292 Cases compare
- 67 Iran, Islamic Republic of 2,034 Cases compare
- 68 Dominican Republic 1,203 Cases compare
- 70 Republic of Korea 640 Cases compare
- 71 Lao People's Democratic Republic 538 Cases compare
- 72 Ecuador 380 Cases compare
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 60-64, female, annual growth rate 1.27 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per capita 0.0197 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, annual growth rate 0.6835 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per capita 0.015 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa?
- Estimated number of malaria cases in South Africa was 735 Cases in 2024, according to World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest estimated number of malaria cases recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 26,506 Cases in 2001.
- What is the lowest estimated number of malaria cases recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 735 Cases in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for estimated number of malaria cases?
- South Africa ranks 69th out of 109 countries with data for 2024.
- Is estimated number of malaria cases rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 93.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 Estimated number of malaria cases. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The World Health Organization publishes estimates of the total number of malaria cases, based on confirmed and suspected cases submitted by national programs, and taking underreporting into account.