Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa

South Africa: Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends was 22.2% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
22.2%
Change on year
down 2.4%
World rank
157th
of 160 countries
All-time high
22.7%
in 2020
All-time low
17.8%
in 2017
Years of data
5
2017–2021

Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa, 2017–2021

05101520252017201920212017: 17.8 %2018: 18.4 %2019: 22.2 %2020: 22.7 %2021: 22.2 %

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa is 22.2%, measured in 2021.

The figure is down 2.4% on the previous year and up 24.4% over five years.

That places South Africa 157th out of 160 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in the beach (%) in South Africa, 2017 to 2021.
Year % Change
2017 17.8%
2018 18.4% +3.2%
2019 22.2% +20.7%
2020 22.7% +2.3%
2021 22.2% -2.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 19.5% 17.8% 22.2% 3
2020s 22.5% 22.2% 22.7% 2

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 154 Western Sahara 28.4% compare
  2. 155 Réunion 25.5% compare
  3. 155 Réunion 25.5% compare
  4. 158 New Zealand 17.5% compare
  5. 159 Japan 15.6% compare
  6. 160 Bahamas 11.2% compare

See the full ranking of 190 places →

More development goals data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa?
Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa was 22.2% in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 22.7% in 2020.
What is the lowest beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 17.8% in 2017.
How does South Africa rank for beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends?
South Africa ranks 157th out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in the beach (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://development-goals.statizoid.com/stat/beach-litter-originating-from-national-land-based-sources-that-ends-in-the-beach-percent/south-africa/

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<a href="https://development-goals.statizoid.com/stat/beach-litter-originating-from-national-land-based-sources-that-ends-in-the-beach-percent/south-africa/">Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in South Africa</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Beach litter originating from national land-based sources that ends in the beach (%)
Unit
%
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
190 places, 981 data points, 2017–2022
Last refreshed