Reported cases of measles in South Africa
South Africa: Reported cases of measles was 931 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Reported cases of measles in South Africa, 1979–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for reported cases of measles in South Africa is 931, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.9% on the previous year and up 1,310.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of measles in South Africa peaked at 22,745 in 1992 and was at its lowest, 17, in 2015.
That places South Africa 42nd out of 210 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of measles in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 4,115 | — |
| 1980 | 19,193 | +366.4% |
| 1981 | 15,809 | -17.6% |
| 1982 | 12,906 | -18.4% |
| 1983 | 16,735 | +29.7% |
| 1984 | 16,160 | -3.4% |
| 1985 | 17,884 | +10.7% |
| 1986 | 13,459 | -24.7% |
| 1987 | 22,559 | +67.6% |
| 1988 | 15,258 | -32.4% |
| 1989 | 18,268 | +19.7% |
| 1990 | 10,624 | -41.8% |
| 1991 | 4,777 | -55.0% |
| 1992 | 22,745 | +376.1% |
| 1993 | 12,870 | -43.4% |
| 1994 | 6,845 | -46.8% |
| 1995 | 8,845 | +29.2% |
| 1996 | 6,501 | -26.5% |
| 1997 | 1,337 | -79.4% |
| 1998 | 977 | -26.9% |
| 1999 | 385 | -60.6% |
| 2000 | 1,459 | +279.0% |
| 2001 | 1,166 | -20.1% |
| 2002 | 1,043 | -10.5% |
| 2003 | 244 | -76.6% |
| 2004 | 830 | +240.2% |
| 2005 | 615 | -25.9% |
| 2006 | 81 | -86.8% |
| 2007 | 31 | -61.7% |
| 2008 | 39 | +25.8% |
| 2009 | 5,857 | +14917.9% |
| 2010 | 12,499 | +113.4% |
| 2011 | 92 | -99.3% |
| 2012 | 32 | -65.2% |
| 2013 | 25 | -21.9% |
| 2014 | 66 | +164.0% |
| 2015 | 17 | -74.2% |
| 2016 | 18 | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 210 | +1066.7% |
| 2018 | 71 | -66.2% |
| 2019 | 59 | -16.9% |
| 2020 | 40 | -32.2% |
| 2021 | 21 | -47.5% |
| 2022 | 400 | +1804.8% |
| 2023 | 1,033 | +158.2% |
| 2024 | 931 | -9.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 931 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 9.5, 98.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 931 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 551, 1.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported cases of measles in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +14917.9% | 39 | 5,857 |
| 2022 | +1804.8% | 21 | 400 |
| 2017 | +1066.7% | 18 | 210 |
| 1992 | +376.1% | 4,777 | 22,745 |
| 1980 | +366.4% | 4,115 | 19,193 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4,115 | 4,115 | 4,115 | 1 |
| 1980s | 16,823 | 12,906 | 22,559 | 10 |
| 1990s | 7,591 | 385 | 22,745 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,136 | 31 | 5,857 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,309 | 17 | 12,499 | 10 |
| 2020s | 485 | 21 | 1,033 | 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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported cases of measles in South Africa?
- Reported cases of measles in South Africa was 931 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of measles recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 22,745 in 1992.
- What is the lowest reported cases of measles recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for reported cases of measles?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 210 countries with data for 2024.
- Is reported cases of measles rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1,310.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of measles. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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