Suicide rates by age detailed who in South Africa
South Africa: Suicide rates by age detailed who was 19.53 in 2021. ▬ Flat
Latest (2021)
19.53
Change on year
up 14.0%
World rank
25th
of 194 countries
All-time high
22
in 2015
All-time low
14.84
in 2012
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide rates by age detailed who in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 19.53 for suicide rates by age detailed who 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 rates by age detailed who in South Africa peaked at 22 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 14.84, in 2012.
That places South Africa 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Suicide rates by age detailed who in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 17.12 | — |
| 2001 | 17.68 | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 19.03 | +7.6% |
| 2003 | 20.26 | +6.5% |
| 2004 | 20.39 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 19.34 | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 18.97 | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 18.37 | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 18.03 | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 17.48 | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 16.55 | -5.3% |
| 2011 | 15.62 | -5.7% |
| 2012 | 14.84 | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 16.81 | +13.3% |
| 2014 | 19.92 | +18.5% |
| 2015 | 22 | +10.5% |
| 2016 | 20.85 | -5.3% |
| 2017 | 17.89 | -14.2% |
| 2018 | 19.27 | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 17.79 | -7.7% |
| 2020 | 17.12 | -3.7% |
| 2021 | 19.53 | +14.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 19.53 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.6, 2.6× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 19.53 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6.02, 3.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.67 | 17.12 | 20.39 | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.15 | 14.84 | 22 | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.33 | 17.12 | 19.53 | 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 rates by age detailed who in South Africa?
- Suicide rates by age detailed who in South Africa was 19.53 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest suicide rates by age detailed who recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 22 in 2015.
- What is the lowest suicide rates by age detailed who recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.84 in 2012.
- How does South Africa rank for suicide rates by age detailed who?
- South Africa ranks 25th out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide rates by age detailed who 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide rates by age detailed who. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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