Suicide mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population) in South Africa
South Africa: Suicide mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population) was 22.3 per 100,000 people in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
22.3 per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 5.7%
World rank
7th
of 197 countries
All-time high
22.3 per 100,000 people
in 2021
All-time low
13.1 per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
7
2000–2021
Suicide mortality rate, by sex in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in per 100,000 people.
Analysis
In 2021, suicide mortality rate, by sex in South Africa stood at 22.3 per 100,000 people. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is up 5.7% on the previous year and up 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide mortality rate, by sex in South Africa peaked at 22.3 per 100,000 people in 2021 and was at its lowest, 13.1 per 100,000 people, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 7th of 197 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Suicide mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13.1 per 100,000 people | — |
| 2005 | 15.6 per 100,000 people | +19.1% |
| 2010 | 18.8 per 100,000 people | +20.5% |
| 2015 | 20.7 per 100,000 people | +10.1% |
| 2019 | 20.1 per 100,000 people | -2.9% |
| 2020 | 21.1 per 100,000 people | +5.0% |
| 2021 | 22.3 per 100,000 people | +5.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 22.3 per 100,000 people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 6.9 per 100,000 people, 3.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 22.3 per 100,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7.1 per 100,000 people, 3.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14.35 per 100,000 people | 13.1 per 100,000 people | 15.6 per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 19.87 per 100,000 people | 18.8 per 100,000 people | 20.7 per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2020s | 21.7 per 100,000 people | 21.1 per 100,000 people | 22.3 per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 4 Eswatini 27.2 per 100,000 people compare
- 5 Guyana 24.8 per 100,000 people compare
- 5 Uruguay 24.8 per 100,000 people compare
- 7 Suriname 22.3 per 100,000 people compare
- 9 Lithuania 22.1 per 100,000 people compare
- 10 Russian Federation 21.4 per 100,000 people compare
- 10 Russia 21.4 per 100,000 people 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 mortality rate, by sex in South Africa?
- Suicide mortality rate, by sex in South Africa was 22.3 per 100,000 people in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest suicide mortality rate, by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 22.3 per 100,000 people in 2021.
- What is the lowest suicide mortality rate, by sex recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.1 per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for suicide mortality rate, by sex?
- South Africa ranks 7th out of 197 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide mortality rate, by sex rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Suicide mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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