Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa

South Africa: Suicide and other terrorist attacks was 15 in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
15
Change on year
down 11.8%
World rank
31st
of 188 countries
All-time high
271
in 1992
All-time low
0
in 1970
Years of data
51
1970–2021

Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa, 1970–2021

0100200300197019952021

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 15 for suicide and other terrorist attacks in 2021.

That represents a change of down 11.8% on the previous year and down 44.4% over five years.

Over the whole period, suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa peaked at 271 in 1992 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1970.

South Africa ranks 31st of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa, 1970 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1970 0
1971 0
1972 0
1973 0
1974 1
1975 0 -100.0%
1976 1
1977 15 +1400.0%
1978 9 -40.0%
1979 16 +77.8%
1980 23 +43.8%
1981 42 +82.6%
1982 26 -38.1%
1983 56 +115.4%
1984 60 +7.1%
1985 106 +76.7%
1986 159 +50.0%
1987 133 -16.4%
1988 245 +84.2%
1989 148 -39.6%
1990 154 +4.1%
1991 127 -17.5%
1992 271 +113.4%
1994 174 -35.8%
1995 32 -81.6%
1996 47 +46.9%
1997 17 -63.8%
1998 6 -64.7%
1999 17 +183.3%
2000 21 +23.5%
2001 0 -100.0%
2002 8
2003 0 -100.0%
2004 0
2005 0
2006 0
2007 2
2008 1 -50.0%
2009 0 -100.0%
2010 0
2011 0
2012 4
2013 13 +225.0%
2014 20 +53.8%
2015 5 -75.0%
2016 27 +440.0%
2017 29 +7.4%
2018 41 +41.4%
2019 23 -43.9%
2020 17 -26.1%
2021 15 -11.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 4.2 0 16 10
1980s 99.8 23 245 10
1990s 93.89 6 271 9
2000s 3.2 0 21 10
2010s 16.2 0 41 10
2020s 16 15 17 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 28 Mexico 21 compare
  2. 29 France 19 compare
  3. 30 Central African Republic 18 compare
  4. 32 South Sudan 14 compare
  5. 32 Türkiye 14 compare
  6. 34 Germany 13 compare
  7. 34 Sudan 13 compare

See the full ranking of 188 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa?
Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa was 15 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest suicide and other terrorist attacks recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 271 in 1992.
What is the lowest suicide and other terrorist attacks recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1970.
How does South Africa rank for suicide and other terrorist attacks?
South Africa ranks 31st out of 188 countries with data for 2021.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide and other terrorist attacks. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/suicide-and-other-terrorist-attacks/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Suicide and other terrorist attacks
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
188 places, 9,021 data points, 1970–2021
Last refreshed