Number of undernourished people (millions) in South Africa
South Africa: Number of undernourished people (millions) was 7.2 num m in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Number of undernourished people in South Africa, 2001–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in num m.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of undernourished people in South Africa is 7.2 num m, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is up 7.5% on the previous year and up 132.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of undernourished people in South Africa peaked at 7.2 num m in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.6 num m, in 2004.
That places South Africa 22nd out of 120 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of undernourished people (millions) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | num m | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1.7 num m | — |
| 2002 | 1.7 num m | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 1.7 num m | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 1.6 num m | -5.9% |
| 2005 | 1.6 num m | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 1.7 num m | +6.2% |
| 2007 | 1.7 num m | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 1.7 num m | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 1.9 num m | +11.8% |
| 2010 | 2.2 num m | +15.8% |
| 2011 | 2.4 num m | +9.1% |
| 2012 | 2.5 num m | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 2.7 num m | +8.0% |
| 2014 | 3.1 num m | +14.8% |
| 2015 | 3.4 num m | +9.7% |
| 2016 | 3.4 num m | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 3.4 num m | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3.6 num m | +5.9% |
| 2019 | 4.2 num m | +16.7% |
| 2020 | 5.2 num m | +23.8% |
| 2021 | 5.9 num m | +13.5% |
| 2022 | 6.3 num m | +6.8% |
| 2023 | 6.7 num m | +6.3% |
| 2024 | 7.2 num m | +7.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 7.2 num m is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.1 num m, 6.5× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 7.2 num m is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.55 num m, 2.8× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.7 num m | 1.6 num m | 1.9 num m | 9 |
| 2010s | 3.09 num m | 2.2 num m | 4.2 num m | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.26 num m | 5.2 num m | 7.2 num m | 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 number of undernourished people in South Africa?
- Number of undernourished people in South Africa was 7.2 num m in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest number of undernourished people recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.2 num m in 2024.
- What is the lowest number of undernourished people recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6 num m in 2004.
- How does South Africa rank for number of undernourished people?
- South Africa ranks 22nd out of 120 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of undernourished people rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 132.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Number of undernourished people (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).