Cholera reported cases in South Africa
South Africa: Cholera reported cases was 13 reported cases in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Cholera reported cases in South Africa, 1973–2024
Source: World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in reported cases.
Analysis
The most recent figure for cholera reported cases in South Africa is 13 reported cases, 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, cholera reported cases in South Africa peaked at 106,159 reported cases in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0 reported cases, 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.
Cholera reported cases in South Africa, year by year
| Year | reported cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 1 reported cases | — |
| 1974 | 37 reported cases | +3600.0% |
| 1979 | 2 reported cases | -94.6% |
| 1980 | 859 reported cases | +42850.0% |
| 1981 | 4,180 reported cases | +386.6% |
| 1982 | 11,968 reported cases | +186.3% |
| 1983 | 4,715 reported cases | -60.6% |
| 1984 | 1,182 reported cases | -74.9% |
| 1985 | 2,742 reported cases | +132.0% |
| 1986 | 120 reported cases | -95.6% |
| 1987 | 37 reported cases | -69.2% |
| 1991 | 10 reported cases | -73.0% |
| 1992 | 11 reported cases | +10.0% |
| 1993 | 78 reported cases | +609.1% |
| 1994 | 4 reported cases | -94.9% |
| 1998 | 20 reported cases | +400.0% |
| 1999 | 68 reported cases | +240.0% |
| 2000 | 19,667 reported cases | +28822.1% |
| 2001 | 106,159 reported cases | +439.8% |
| 2002 | 10,004 reported cases | -90.6% |
| 2003 | 3,901 reported cases | -61.0% |
| 2004 | 2,767 reported cases | -29.1% |
| 2005 | 3,503 reported cases | +26.6% |
| 2006 | 0 reported cases | -100.0% |
| 2008 | 3,907 reported cases | — |
| 2009 | 10,520 reported cases | +169.3% |
| 2013 | 1 reported cases | -100.0% |
| 2022 | 1 reported cases | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 1,478 reported cases | +147700.0% |
| 2024 | 13 reported cases | -99.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 13.33 reported cases | 1 reported cases | 37 reported cases | 3 |
| 1980s | 3,225 reported cases | 37 reported cases | 11,968 reported cases | 8 |
| 1990s | 31.83 reported cases | 4 reported cases | 78 reported cases | 6 |
| 2000s | 17,825 reported cases | 0 reported cases | 106,159 reported cases | 9 |
| 2010s | 1 reported cases | 1 reported cases | 1 reported cases | 1 |
| 2020s | 497.33 reported cases | 1 reported cases | 1,478 reported cases | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 54 Cambodia 15 reported cases compare
- 54 Dominican Republic 15 reported cases compare
- 56 Iran, Islamic Republic of 14 reported cases compare
- 58 Argentina 12 reported cases compare
- 58 Belize 12 reported cases compare
- 58 Côte d'Ivoire 12 reported cases compare
- 58 Mali 12 reported cases compare
- 58 Nicaragua 12 reported cases 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)
- Total tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 22 (2025)
- Total tetanus - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, gaps filled 314 (2025)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Measles - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2,778 (2025)
- Measles - number of reported cases, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cholera reported cases in South Africa?
- Cholera reported cases in South Africa was 13 reported cases in 2024, according to World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cholera reported cases recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 106,159 reported cases in 2001.
- What is the lowest cholera reported cases recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 reported cases in 2006.
- How does South Africa rank for cholera reported cases?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 119 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cholera reported cases 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 World Health Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cholera reported cases. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Number of cholera cases which have been reported to the WHO by local authorities. As testing and reporting is limited in many countries, this is likely to be an underestimate of the true number of cholera cases.