Suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa
South Africa: Suicide death rates by sex who was 20.34 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
20.34
Change on year
up 3.1%
World rank
12th
of 194 countries
All-time high
20.62
in 2015
All-time low
15.51
in 2001
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa is 20.34, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 8.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa peaked at 20.62 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 15.51, in 2001.
That places South Africa 12th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15.56 | — |
| 2001 | 15.51 | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 16.9 | +8.9% |
| 2003 | 17.81 | +5.4% |
| 2004 | 17.84 | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 17.27 | -3.2% |
| 2006 | 17.61 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 17.42 | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 18.07 | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 17.38 | -3.8% |
| 2010 | 20.55 | +18.2% |
| 2011 | 18.7 | -9.0% |
| 2012 | 19.37 | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 19.34 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 20.27 | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 20.62 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 19.4 | -5.9% |
| 2017 | 17.87 | -7.9% |
| 2018 | 18.37 | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 18.84 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 19.73 | +4.8% |
| 2021 | 20.34 | +3.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 20.34 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6.85, 3.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 20.34 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.73, 1.9× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.14 | 15.51 | 18.07 | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.33 | 17.87 | 20.62 | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.04 | 19.73 | 20.34 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 9 Micronesia (country) 21.93 compare
- 10 Eritrea 21.6 compare
- 11 South Korea 20.55 compare
- 13 Solomon Islands 20.3 compare
- 14 Mozambique 20.15 compare
- 15 Mongolia 19.86 compare
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 death rates by sex who in South Africa?
- Suicide death rates by sex who in South Africa was 20.34 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest suicide death rates by sex who recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 20.62 in 2015.
- What is the lowest suicide death rates by sex who recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.51 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for suicide death rates by sex who?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide death rates by sex who rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide death rates by sex who. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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