Male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa
South Africa: Male vs. female suicide rate was 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
31.7 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
14th
of 194 countries
All-time high
33.5 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2015
All-time low
25.43 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2009
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa is 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 14.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa peaked at 33.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015 and was at its lowest, 25.43 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2009.
That places South Africa 14th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 26.33 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 26.48 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 28.32 deaths per 100,000 people | +7.0% |
| 2003 | 28.87 deaths per 100,000 people | +1.9% |
| 2004 | 29.52 deaths per 100,000 people | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 28.88 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.2% |
| 2006 | 29.14 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.9% |
| 2007 | 27.58 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 26.73 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.1% |
| 2009 | 25.43 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 30.26 deaths per 100,000 people | +19.0% |
| 2011 | 27.75 deaths per 100,000 people | -8.3% |
| 2012 | 30.35 deaths per 100,000 people | +9.4% |
| 2013 | 30.77 deaths per 100,000 people | +1.4% |
| 2014 | 32.62 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.0% |
| 2015 | 33.5 deaths per 100,000 people | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 31.54 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.8% |
| 2017 | 28.95 deaths per 100,000 people | -8.2% |
| 2018 | 29.8 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 30.53 deaths per 100,000 people | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 31.58 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 27.73 deaths per 100,000 people | 25.43 deaths per 100,000 people | 29.52 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 30.61 deaths per 100,000 people | 27.75 deaths per 100,000 people | 33.5 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 31.64 deaths per 100,000 people | 31.58 deaths per 100,000 people | 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 11 Eritrea 33.97 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 12 Kiribati 33.34 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 13 Cape Verde 32.3 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 15 Russian Federation 31.42 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 16 Suriname 30.94 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 17 Solomon Islands 30.34 deaths per 100,000 people 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 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 male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa?
- Male vs. female suicide rate in South Africa was 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest male vs. female suicide rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 33.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015.
- What is the lowest male vs. female suicide rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.43 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for male vs. female suicide rate?
- South Africa ranks 14th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is male vs. female suicide rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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 vs. female suicide rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of age-standardized deaths from self-harm in males, per 100,000 people.