Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa
South Africa: Suicide and other terrorist attacks was 15 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Suicide and other terrorist attacks in South Africa, 1970–2021
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
| 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% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 15 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1, 15.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Suicide and other terrorist attacks 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | +1400.0% | 1 | 15 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
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 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.
Download this data
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