Neonatal deaths in South Africa
South Africa: Neonatal deaths was 14,715 in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
14,715
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
35th
of 213 countries
All-time high
16,613
in 2008
All-time low
12,757
in 2002
Years of data
25
2000–2024
Neonatal deaths in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for neonatal deaths in South Africa is 14,715, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 1.6% on the previous year and up 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, neonatal deaths in South Africa peaked at 16,613 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 12,757, in 2002.
That places South Africa 35th out of 213 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Neonatal deaths in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13,716 | — |
| 2001 | 13,112 | -4.4% |
| 2002 | 12,757 | -2.7% |
| 2003 | 13,055 | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 13,694 | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 14,414 | +5.3% |
| 2006 | 15,095 | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 15,478 | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 16,613 | +7.3% |
| 2009 | 15,706 | -5.5% |
| 2010 | 15,066 | -4.1% |
| 2011 | 14,675 | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 14,441 | -1.6% |
| 2013 | 14,213 | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 14,218 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 13,907 | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 13,418 | -3.5% |
| 2017 | 13,258 | -1.2% |
| 2018 | 13,306 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 13,451 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 13,668 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 13,957 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 14,229 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 14,486 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | 14,715 | +1.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 14,715 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 788, 18.7× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 14,715 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13,130, 1.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14,364 | 12,757 | 16,613 | 10 |
| 2010s | 13,995 | 13,258 | 15,066 | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,211 | 13,668 | 14,715 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More development goals data for South Africa
- Red List Index 0.8693 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.8 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 651.49 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 105 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 101 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 40 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 56 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 61 (2025)
- Infant deaths 28,570 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is neonatal deaths in South Africa?
- Neonatal deaths in South Africa was 14,715 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest neonatal deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 16,613 in 2008.
- What is the lowest neonatal deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 12,757 in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for neonatal deaths?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is neonatal deaths rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Neonatal deaths (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).