Hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa
South Africa: Hospital beds per 1,000 people was 2.25 per 1,000 people in 2010. ▼ Falling
Hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa, 2002–2010
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) data, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per 1,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa is 2.25 per 1,000 people, measured in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.0% on the previous year and down 24.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa peaked at 2.99 per 1,000 people in 2002 and was at its lowest, 2.25 per 1,000 people, in 2010.
That places South Africa 91st out of 179 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the middle of the range.
Hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa, year by year
| Year | per 1,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2.99 per 1,000 people | — |
| 2004 | 2.78 per 1,000 people | -7.0% |
| 2007 | 2.34 per 1,000 people | -15.8% |
| 2008 | 2.32 per 1,000 people | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 2.25 per 1,000 people | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.61 per 1,000 people | 2.32 per 1,000 people | 2.99 per 1,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 2.25 per 1,000 people | 2.25 per 1,000 people | 2.25 per 1,000 people | 1 |
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 65-69, male, annual growth rate 2.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per capita 0.0116 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, annual growth rate 4.91 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per capita 0.0115 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa?
- Hospital beds per 1,000 people in South Africa was 2.25 per 1,000 people in 2010, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest hospital beds per 1,000 people recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.99 per 1,000 people in 2002.
- What is the lowest hospital beds per 1,000 people recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.25 per 1,000 people in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for hospital beds per 1,000 people?
- South Africa ranks 91st out of 179 countries with data for 2010.
- Is hospital beds per 1,000 people rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (WHO) data, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Hospital beds per 1,000 people. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Hospital beds include inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In most cases beds for both acute and chronic care are included.