People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa

South Africa: People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) was 96.2% in 2017. ▬ Flat

Latest (2017)
96.2%
Change on year
up 0.1%
World rank
45th
of 97 countries
All-time high
96.2%
in 2017
All-time low
94.9%
in 2000
Years of data
18
2000–2017

People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa, 2000–2017

0204060801002000200820172000: 94.9 highest2001: 94.9 highest2002: 95 highest2003: 95.1 highest2004: 95.2 highest2005: 95.3 highest2006: 95.3 highest2007: 95.4 highest2008: 95.5 highest2009: 95.6 highest2010: 95.6 highest2011: 95.7 highest2012: 95.8 highest2013: 95.9 highest2014: 96 highest2015: 96 highest2016: 96.1 highest2017: 96.2 highest

Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org). Measured in highest.

Analysis

The most recent figure for people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa is 96.2%, measured in 2017. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.

The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 0.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa peaked at 96.2% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 94.9%, in 2000.

South Africa ranks 45th of 97 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban population): Q5 (highest) in South Africa, 2000 to 2017.
Year highest Change
2000 94.9%
2001 94.9% +0.0%
2002 95.0% +0.1%
2003 95.1% +0.1%
2004 95.2% +0.1%
2005 95.3% +0.1%
2006 95.3% +0.1%
2007 95.4% +0.1%
2008 95.5% +0.1%
2009 95.6% +0.1%
2010 95.6% +0.1%
2011 95.7% +0.1%
2012 95.8% +0.1%
2013 95.9% +0.1%
2014 96.0% +0.1%
2015 96.0% +0.1%
2016 96.1% +0.1%
2017 96.2% +0.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 95.2% 94.9% 95.6% 10
2010s 95.9% 95.6% 96.2% 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 42 Belarus 96.4% compare
  2. 43 Costa Rica 96.3% compare
  3. 44 Republic of Moldova 96.3% compare
  4. 46 Palestine, State of 96.2% compare
  5. 47 Philippines 96.0% compare
  6. 48 Guatemala 95.9% compare

See the full ranking of 97 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa?
People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa was 96.2% in 2017, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org).
What is the highest people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 96.2% in 2017.
What is the lowest people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 94.9% in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban)?
South Africa ranks 45th out of 97 countries with data for 2017.
Is people using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org), published as part of People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban population): Q5 (highest). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org). Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/people-using-at-least-basic-sanitation-services-urban-percent-of-urban-population-q5/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
People using at least basic sanitation services, urban  (% of urban population): Q5 (highest)
Unit
highest
Source
WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
97 places, 1,663 data points, 2000–2017
Last refreshed