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South Africa · Health

Longevity, mortality, health system capacity and risk factors.

23 indicators · 23 with data

Life expectancy

years

183rd of 217 · 19th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Life expectancySouth Africa's life expectancy rose from 61.6 yrs in 1995 to 66.3 yrs in 2024.199520002005201020152020505560657066.3 yrs

South Africa's life expectancy rose from 61.6 yrs in 1995 to 66.3 yrs in 2024.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

years

174th of 185 · 38th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Healthy life expectancy at birthSouth Africa's healthy life expectancy at birth rose from 49.4 yrs in 2000 to 52.8 yrs in 2021.2000200520102015202045505552.8 yrs

South Africa's healthy life expectancy at birth rose from 49.4 yrs in 2000 to 52.8 yrs in 2021.

Infant mortality

per 1,000 live births

139th of 196 · 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Infant mortalitySouth Africa's infant mortality fell from 46.0 ‰ in 1995 to 24.2 ‰ in 2024.1995200020052010201520202030405024.2 ‰

South Africa's infant mortality fell from 46.0 ‰ in 1995 to 24.2 ‰ in 2024.

Under-5 mortality rate

per 1,000 live births

144th of 196 · 8th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Under-5 mortality rateSouth Africa's under-5 mortality rate fell from 59.2 ‰ in 1995 to 35.1 ‰ in 2024.19952000200520102015202040608035.1 ‰

South Africa's under-5 mortality rate fell from 59.2 ‰ in 1995 to 35.1 ‰ in 2024.

Maternal mortality ratio

per 100,000 live births

133rd of 194 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Maternal mortality ratioSouth Africa's maternal mortality ratio fell from 133.0 /100k in 1994 to 118.0 /100k in 2023.199520002005201020152020100150200250300118.0 /100k

South Africa's maternal mortality ratio fell from 133.0 /100k in 1994 to 118.0 /100k in 2023.

NCD mortality

%

133rd of 185 · 25th in Sub-Saharan Africa
NCD mortalitySouth Africa's ncd mortality rose from 21.6 % in 2000 to 22.7 % in 2021.2000200520102015202020%22%24%26%22.7 %

South Africa's ncd mortality rose from 21.6 % in 2000 to 22.7 % in 2021.

Suicide mortality rate

per 100,000 people

180th of 185 · 46th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Suicide mortality rateSouth Africa's suicide mortality rate rose from 13.1 /100k in 2000 to 22.3 /100k in 2021.200020052010201520201214161820222422.3 /100k

South Africa's suicide mortality rate rose from 13.1 /100k in 2000 to 22.3 /100k in 2021.

Mortality caused by road traffic injury

per 100,000 people

125th of 183 · 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa
Mortality caused by road traffic injurySouth Africa's mortality caused by road traffic injury fell from 44.0 /100k in 2000 to 22.2 /100k in 2019.20002005201020152030405022.2 /100k

South Africa's mortality caused by road traffic injury fell from 44.0 /100k in 2000 to 22.2 /100k in 2019.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

Latest values — expand for the charts.

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