Suicide rate, by age in South Africa
South Africa: Suicide rate, by age was 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ▬ Flat
Latest (2021)
19.53 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 14.0%
World rank
25th
of 194 countries
All-time high
22 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2015
All-time low
14.84 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2012
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide rate, by age in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people for suicide rate, by age in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 14.0% on the previous year and up 25.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide rate, by age in South Africa peaked at 22 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015 and was at its lowest, 14.84 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2012.
That places South Africa 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Suicide rate, by age in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17.12 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 17.68 deaths per 100,000 people | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 19.03 deaths per 100,000 people | +7.6% |
| 2003 | 20.26 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.5% |
| 2004 | 20.39 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 19.34 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 18.97 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 18.37 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 18.03 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 17.48 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 16.55 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.3% |
| 2011 | 15.62 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.7% |
| 2012 | 14.84 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 16.81 deaths per 100,000 people | +13.3% |
| 2014 | 19.92 deaths per 100,000 people | +18.5% |
| 2015 | 22 deaths per 100,000 people | +10.5% |
| 2016 | 20.85 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.3% |
| 2017 | 17.89 deaths per 100,000 people | -14.2% |
| 2018 | 19.27 deaths per 100,000 people | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 17.79 deaths per 100,000 people | -7.7% |
| 2020 | 17.12 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.7% |
| 2021 | 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people | +14.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.67 deaths per 100,000 people | 17.12 deaths per 100,000 people | 20.39 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.15 deaths per 100,000 people | 14.84 deaths per 100,000 people | 22 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.33 deaths per 100,000 people | 17.12 deaths per 100,000 people | 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 22 Republic of Korea 19.94 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 23 United States of America 19.86 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 24 Zimbabwe 19.82 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 26 Mauritius 19.47 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 27 Lithuania 18.96 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 28 Fiji 18.28 deaths 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)
- 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)
- Population ages 60-64, female, annual growth rate 1.27 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, female, per capita 0.0197 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, annual growth rate 0.6835 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 60-64, male, per capita 0.015 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is suicide rate, by age in South Africa?
- Suicide rate, by age in South Africa was 19.53 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest suicide rate, by age recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 22 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015.
- What is the lowest suicide rate, by age recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.84 deaths per 100,000 people in 2012.
- How does South Africa rank for suicide rate, by age?
- South Africa ranks 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide rate, by age rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide rate, by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from self-harm among both sexes aged 20-24 year olds, per 100,000 people.