Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population was 8.5% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa, 2018–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa stood at 8.5%. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.2% on the previous year and up 23.2% over ten years.
That places South Africa 42nd out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6.9% | — |
| 2019 | 7.5% | +8.7% |
| 2020 | 8.0% | +6.7% |
| 2021 | 8.4% | +5.0% |
| 2022 | 8.4% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 8.5% | +1.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 8.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.0%, 1.7× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 8.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.4%, 46% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 7.2% | 6.9% | 7.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 8.3% | 8.0% | 8.5% | 4 |
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)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa?
- Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in South Africa was 8.5% in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.5% in 2023.
- What is the lowest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.9% in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.