Preterm birth rate in South Africa

South Africa: Preterm birth rate was 12.96 in 2020. ▬ Flat

Latest (2020)
12.96
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
6th
of 102 countries
All-time high
12.96
in 2020
All-time low
12.92
in 2010
Years of data
11
2010–2020

Preterm birth rate in South Africa, 2010–2020

0510152010201520202010: 12.92011: 12.92012: 12.92013: 12.92014: 12.92015: 12.92016: 12.92017: 132018: 132019: 132020: 13

Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.

Analysis

In 2020, preterm birth rate in South Africa stood at 12.96. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is up 0.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, preterm birth rate in South Africa peaked at 12.96 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 12.92, in 2010.

South Africa ranks 6th of 102 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Preterm birth rate in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Preterm birth rate (per 100 live births) in South Africa, 2010 to 2020.
Year Value Change
2010 12.92
2011 12.92 +0.0%
2012 12.93 +0.0%
2013 12.93 +0.0%
2014 12.94 +0.1%
2015 12.95 +0.0%
2016 12.95 +0.0%
2017 12.95 +0.1%
2018 12.96 +0.0%
2019 12.96 +0.0%
2020 12.96 +0.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 12.94 12.92 12.96 10
2020s 12.96 12.96 12.96 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 3 Pakistan 14.36 compare
  2. 4 Palestine, State of 13.15 compare
  3. 5 India 13.04 compare
  4. 7 Ethiopia 12.91 compare
  5. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 12.4 compare
  6. 9 Côte d'Ivoire 11.73 compare

See the full ranking of 120 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is preterm birth rate in South Africa?
Preterm birth rate in South Africa was 12.96 in 2020, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
What is the highest preterm birth rate recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 12.96 in 2020.
What is the lowest preterm birth rate recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 12.92 in 2010.
How does South Africa rank for preterm birth rate?
South Africa ranks 6th out of 102 countries with data for 2020.
Is preterm birth rate rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Preterm birth rate (per 100 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Preterm birth rate in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/preterm-birth-rate-per-100-live-births-2/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Preterm birth rate (per 100 live births)
Source
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO)
Coverage
120 places, 1,320 data points, 2010–2020
Last refreshed