Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa
South Africa: Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population was 33.81 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa is 33.81, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
The figure is down 4.2% on the previous year and down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa peaked at 46.13 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 33.81, in 2021.
That places South Africa 11th out of 184 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 43.77 | — |
| 2001 | 43.84 | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 46.13 | +5.2% |
| 2003 | 43.58 | -5.5% |
| 2004 | 43.34 | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 42.07 | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 41.23 | -2.0% |
| 2007 | 39.6 | -4.0% |
| 2008 | 39.74 | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 37.77 | -5.0% |
| 2010 | 37.42 | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 35.84 | -4.2% |
| 2012 | 36 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 36.57 | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 37.22 | +1.8% |
| 2015 | 37.71 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 38.42 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 39.69 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 37 | -6.8% |
| 2019 | 36.78 | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 35.28 | -4.1% |
| 2021 | 33.81 | -4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 42.11 | 37.77 | 46.13 | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.26 | 35.84 | 39.69 | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.54 | 33.81 | 35.28 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More social development data for South Africa
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 55,177 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0009 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa?
- Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population in South Africa was 33.81 in 2021, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 46.13 in 2002.
- What is the lowest estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.81 in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population?
- South Africa ranks 11th out of 184 countries with data for 2021.
- Is estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Estimates of rates of homicides per 100 000 population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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