Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa
South Africa: Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex was 15.6% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa, 1996–2020
Source: WHO Mortality Database (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 15.6% for share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in 2020.
That represents a change of up 3.5% on the previous year and up 17.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa peaked at 17.5% in 1996 and was at its lowest, 11.9%, in 2005.
That places South Africa 111th out of 113 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 17.5% | — |
| 1997 | 15.9% | -9.1% |
| 1998 | 15.3% | -3.5% |
| 1999 | 15.0% | -2.1% |
| 2000 | 14.9% | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 14.1% | -5.3% |
| 2002 | 13.6% | -3.5% |
| 2003 | 13.3% | -2.3% |
| 2004 | 12.6% | -5.6% |
| 2005 | 11.9% | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 12.2% | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 12.2% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 12.3% | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 12.9% | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 13.3% | +2.6% |
| 2011 | 14.1% | +6.3% |
| 2012 | 14.3% | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 14.4% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 14.9% | +3.5% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 15.8% | +3.7% |
| 2017 | 15.8% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 16.2% | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 15.1% | -6.6% |
| 2020 | 15.6% | +3.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 15.6% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 31.0%, 50% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15.9% | 15.0% | 17.5% | 4 |
| 2000s | 13.0% | 11.9% | 14.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.9% | 13.3% | 16.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.6% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 1 |
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 share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa?
- Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex in South Africa was 15.6% in 2020, according to WHO Mortality Database (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.5% in 1996.
- What is the lowest share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.9% in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex?
- South Africa ranks 111th out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from WHO Mortality Database (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of deaths from cardiovascular diseases by sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of total reported deaths in males in those aged all ages that are from cardiovascular diseases.