Number of deaths from malaria in South Africa
South Africa: Number of deaths from malaria was 56 deaths in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of deaths from malaria in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
In 2021, number of deaths from malaria in South Africa stood at 56 deaths.
That represents a change of up 47.4% on the previous year and up 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of deaths from malaria in South Africa peaked at 316.93 deaths in 2000 and was at its lowest, 34 deaths, in 2016.
South Africa ranks 51st of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of deaths from malaria in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 316.93 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 167.22 deaths | -47.2% |
| 2002 | 131.78 deaths | -21.2% |
| 2003 | 140.36 deaths | +6.5% |
| 2004 | 101.89 deaths | -27.4% |
| 2005 | 64.98 deaths | -36.2% |
| 2006 | 89.92 deaths | +38.4% |
| 2007 | 37.98 deaths | -57.8% |
| 2008 | 45.13 deaths | +18.8% |
| 2009 | 43.77 deaths | -3.0% |
| 2010 | 83 deaths | +89.6% |
| 2011 | 54.12 deaths | -34.8% |
| 2012 | 72 deaths | +33.0% |
| 2013 | 105 deaths | +45.8% |
| 2014 | 174 deaths | +65.7% |
| 2015 | 110 deaths | -36.8% |
| 2016 | 34 deaths | -69.1% |
| 2017 | 301 deaths | +785.3% |
| 2018 | 69 deaths | -77.1% |
| 2019 | 79 deaths | +14.5% |
| 2020 | 38 deaths | -51.9% |
| 2021 | 56 deaths | +47.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 114 deaths | 37.98 deaths | 316.93 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 108.11 deaths | 34 deaths | 301 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 47 deaths | 38 deaths | 56 deaths | 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 05-09, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, female, per capita 0.0424 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, annual growth rate 2.82 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per capita 0.0426 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, female, annual growth rate -0.9299 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of deaths from malaria in South Africa?
- Number of deaths from malaria in South Africa was 56 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of deaths from malaria recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 316.93 deaths in 2000.
- What is the lowest number of deaths from malaria recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 34 deaths in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for number of deaths from malaria?
- South Africa ranks 51st out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of deaths from malaria rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.5%. 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 (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of deaths from malaria. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from malaria in both sexes.