Nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa
South Africa: Nursing and midwifery personnel was 265,877 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
265,877
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
22nd
of 189 countries
All-time high
288,742
in 2016
All-time low
32,120
in 2001
Years of data
27
1998–2024
Nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa, 1998–2024
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
In 2024, nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa stood at 265,877.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 297.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa peaked at 288,742 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 32,120, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 22nd of 189 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 32,744 | — |
| 1999 | 32,925 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 32,399 | -1.6% |
| 2001 | 32,120 | -0.9% |
| 2002 | 32,495 | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 33,575 | +3.3% |
| 2004 | 35,266 | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 37,085 | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 39,305 | +6.0% |
| 2007 | 40,582 | +3.2% |
| 2008 | 43,686 | +7.6% |
| 2009 | 48,078 | +10.1% |
| 2010 | 52,370 | +8.9% |
| 2011 | 55,408 | +5.8% |
| 2012 | 58,722 | +6.0% |
| 2013 | 63,788 | +8.6% |
| 2014 | 66,891 | +4.9% |
| 2015 | 278,617 | +316.5% |
| 2016 | 288,742 | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 287,079 | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 285,704 | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 284,837 | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 280,231 | -1.6% |
| 2021 | 276,415 | -1.4% |
| 2022 | 272,590 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 268,915 | -1.3% |
| 2024 | 265,877 | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 32,834 | 32,744 | 32,925 | 2 |
| 2000s | 37,459 | 32,120 | 48,078 | 10 |
| 2010s | 172,216 | 52,370 | 288,742 | 10 |
| 2020s | 272,806 | 265,877 | 280,231 | 5 |
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 30-34, female, annual growth rate -0.1331 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per capita 0.0446 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, annual growth rate -0.6047 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0435 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa?
- Nursing and midwifery personnel in South Africa was 265,877 in 2024, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest nursing and midwifery personnel recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 288,742 in 2016.
- What is the lowest nursing and midwifery personnel recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 32,120 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for nursing and midwifery personnel?
- South Africa ranks 22nd out of 189 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nursing and midwifery personnel rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 297.5%. 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, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Nursing and midwifery personnel (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 27 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO).