Number reported cases of cholera in South Africa
South Africa: Number reported cases of cholera was 13 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Number reported cases of cholera in South Africa, 1973–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number reported cases of cholera in South Africa is 13, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 99.1% on the previous year and up 1,200.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number reported cases of cholera in South Africa peaked at 106,159 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2006.
South Africa ranks 57th of 119 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 reported cases of cholera in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 37 | +3600.0% |
| 1979 | 2 | -94.6% |
| 1980 | 859 | +42850.0% |
| 1981 | 4,180 | +386.6% |
| 1982 | 11,968 | +186.3% |
| 1983 | 4,715 | -60.6% |
| 1984 | 1,182 | -74.9% |
| 1985 | 2,742 | +132.0% |
| 1986 | 120 | -95.6% |
| 1987 | 37 | -69.2% |
| 1991 | 10 | -73.0% |
| 1992 | 11 | +10.0% |
| 1993 | 78 | +609.1% |
| 1994 | 4 | -94.9% |
| 1998 | 20 | +400.0% |
| 1999 | 68 | +240.0% |
| 2000 | 19,667 | +28822.1% |
| 2001 | 106,159 | +439.8% |
| 2002 | 10,004 | -90.6% |
| 2003 | 3,901 | -61.0% |
| 2004 | 2,767 | -29.1% |
| 2005 | 3,503 | +26.6% |
| 2006 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2008 | 3,907 | — |
| 2009 | 10,520 | +169.3% |
| 2013 | 1 | -100.0% |
| 2022 | 1 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 1,478 | +147700.0% |
| 2024 | 13 | -99.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 13 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 9.5, 1.4× the median. (28 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 13 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 207, 6% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Number reported cases of cholera in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +147700.0% | 1 | 1,478 |
| 1980 | +42850.0% | 2 | 859 |
| 2000 | +28822.1% | 68 | 19,667 |
| 1974 | +3600.0% | 1 | 37 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 13.33 | 1 | 37 | 3 |
| 1980s | 3,225 | 37 | 11,968 | 8 |
| 1990s | 31.83 | 4 | 78 | 6 |
| 2000s | 17,825 | 0 | 106,159 | 9 |
| 2010s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020s | 497.33 | 1 | 1,478 | 3 |
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number reported cases of cholera in South Africa?
- Number reported cases of cholera in South Africa was 13 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number reported cases of cholera recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 106,159 in 2001.
- What is the lowest number reported cases of cholera recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2006.
- How does South Africa rank for number reported cases of cholera?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 119 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number reported cases of cholera rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,200.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Number reported cases of cholera. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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