Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa
South Africa: Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate was 3.4 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa stood at 3.4.
That represents a change of down 8.2% on the previous year and up 38.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa peaked at 4.04 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 2.4, in 2010.
That places South Africa 88th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.89 | — |
| 2001 | 4.04 | +3.7% |
| 2002 | 3.75 | -7.3% |
| 2003 | 3.31 | -11.6% |
| 2004 | 3.6 | +8.7% |
| 2005 | 3.79 | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 3.66 | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 3.14 | -14.2% |
| 2008 | 2.5 | -20.4% |
| 2009 | 2.42 | -3.3% |
| 2010 | 2.4 | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 2.46 | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 3.01 | +22.1% |
| 2013 | 3.25 | +8.3% |
| 2014 | 3.49 | +7.2% |
| 2015 | 3.72 | +6.8% |
| 2016 | 3.76 | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 3.71 | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 3.81 | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 3.86 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 3.71 | -4.0% |
| 2021 | 3.4 | -8.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.41 | 2.42 | 4.04 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.35 | 2.4 | 3.86 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.56 | 3.4 | 3.71 | 2 |
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 40-44, male, annual growth rate 3.07 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, per capita 0.0371 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, annual growth rate 4.05 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, female, per capita 0.0295 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa?
- Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate in South Africa was 3.4 in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest male-to-female ratio of suicide rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.04 in 2001.
- What is the lowest male-to-female ratio of suicide rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4 in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for male-to-female ratio of suicide rate?
- South Africa ranks 88th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is male-to-female ratio of suicide rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 38.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Male-to-female ratio of suicide rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Age-standardized suicide rate of males divided by the age-standardized suicide rate of females.