Health worker density, by type of occupation (per 10,000 population) in South Africa
South Africa: Health worker density, by type of occupation (per 10,000 population) was 1.07 per 10,000 people in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
1.07 per 10,000 people
Change on year
up 0.9%
World rank
125th
of 184 countries
All-time high
1.14 per 10,000 people
in 2004
All-time low
1 per 10,000 people
in 2020
Years of data
16
2004–2024
Health worker density, by type of occupation in South Africa, 2004–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in per 10,000 people.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.07 per 10,000 people for health worker density, by type of occupation in 2024.
The figure is up 0.9% on the previous year and up 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, health worker density, by type of occupation in South Africa peaked at 1.14 per 10,000 people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 1 per 10,000 people, in 2020.
That places South Africa 125th out of 184 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Health worker density, by type of occupation (per 10,000 population) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | per 10,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1.14 per 10,000 people | — |
| 2010 | 1.01 per 10,000 people | -11.4% |
| 2011 | 1.02 per 10,000 people | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 1.03 per 10,000 people | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 1.06 per 10,000 people | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 1.05 per 10,000 people | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 1.06 per 10,000 people | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 1.08 per 10,000 people | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 1.1 per 10,000 people | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 1.1 per 10,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 1.07 per 10,000 people | -2.7% |
| 2020 | 1 per 10,000 people | -6.5% |
| 2021 | 1.07 per 10,000 people | +7.0% |
| 2022 | 1.06 per 10,000 people | -0.9% |
| 2023 | 1.06 per 10,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 1.07 per 10,000 people | +0.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1.07 per 10,000 people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.58 per 10,000 people, 41% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1.07 per 10,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.11 per 10,000 people, 9.7× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.14 per 10,000 people | 1.14 per 10,000 people | 1.14 per 10,000 people | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.06 per 10,000 people | 1.01 per 10,000 people | 1.1 per 10,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.05 per 10,000 people | 1 per 10,000 people | 1.07 per 10,000 people | 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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is health worker density, by type of occupation in South Africa?
- Health worker density, by type of occupation in South Africa was 1.07 per 10,000 people in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest health worker density, by type of occupation recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.14 per 10,000 people in 2004.
- What is the lowest health worker density, by type of occupation recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 per 10,000 people in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for health worker density, by type of occupation?
- South Africa ranks 125th out of 184 countries with data for 2024.
- Is health worker density, by type of occupation rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Health worker density, by type of occupation (per 10,000 population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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