New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa
South Africa: New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk was 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk in 2024. ◆ Volatile
New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: World Health Organization (Global Health Observatory), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per 1,000 population at risk.
Analysis
In 2024, new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa stood at 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 86.9% on the previous year and down 94.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa peaked at 5.57 per 1,000 population at risk in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk, in 2024.
That places South Africa 75th out of 107 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.
New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa, year by year
| Year | per 1,000 population at risk | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.86 per 1,000 population at risk | — |
| 2001 | 5.57 per 1,000 population at risk | +44.3% |
| 2002 | 3.26 per 1,000 population at risk | -41.5% |
| 2003 | 2.78 per 1,000 population at risk | -14.7% |
| 2004 | 2.73 per 1,000 population at risk | -1.8% |
| 2005 | 1.57 per 1,000 population at risk | -42.5% |
| 2006 | 2.42 per 1,000 population at risk | +54.1% |
| 2007 | 1.25 per 1,000 population at risk | -48.3% |
| 2008 | 1.53 per 1,000 population at risk | +22.4% |
| 2009 | 1.17 per 1,000 population at risk | -23.5% |
| 2010 | 1.54 per 1,000 population at risk | +31.6% |
| 2011 | 1.86 per 1,000 population at risk | +20.8% |
| 2012 | 1.23 per 1,000 population at risk | -33.9% |
| 2013 | 1.58 per 1,000 population at risk | +28.5% |
| 2014 | 2.11 per 1,000 population at risk | +33.5% |
| 2015 | 0.87 per 1,000 population at risk | -58.8% |
| 2016 | 0.75 per 1,000 population at risk | -13.8% |
| 2017 | 4.06 per 1,000 population at risk | +441.3% |
| 2018 | 1.63 per 1,000 population at risk | -59.9% |
| 2019 | 0.81 per 1,000 population at risk | -50.3% |
| 2020 | 0.74 per 1,000 population at risk | -8.6% |
| 2021 | 0.48 per 1,000 population at risk | -35.1% |
| 2022 | 0.33 per 1,000 population at risk | -31.2% |
| 2023 | 0.84 per 1,000 population at risk | +154.5% |
| 2024 | 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk | -86.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.61 per 1,000 population at risk | 1.17 per 1,000 population at risk | 5.57 per 1,000 population at risk | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.64 per 1,000 population at risk | 0.75 per 1,000 population at risk | 4.06 per 1,000 population at risk | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.5 per 1,000 population at risk | 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk | 0.84 per 1,000 population at risk | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 72 Cape Verde 0.14 per 1,000 population at risk compare
- 73 Costa Rica 0.13 per 1,000 population at risk compare
- 73 Laos 0.13 per 1,000 population at risk compare
- 76 Mexico 0.1 per 1,000 population at risk compare
- 77 Ecuador 0.04 per 1,000 population at risk compare
- 78 Cambodia 0.03 per 1,000 population at risk 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 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0081 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0035 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 5,666 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa?
- New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk in South Africa was 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk in 2024, according to World Health Organization (Global Health Observatory), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.57 per 1,000 population at risk in 2001.
- What is the lowest new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.11 per 1,000 population at risk in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk?
- South Africa ranks 75th out of 107 countries with data for 2024.
- Is new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 94.8%. 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), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of New cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes.