6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa
South Africa: 6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation was 0.1492 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa, 2000–2022
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2022, 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa stood at 0.1492. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
That represents a change of down 34.5% on the previous year and down 96.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa peaked at 12.18 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.1492, in 2022.
That places South Africa 102nd out of 200 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.18 | — |
| 2001 | 11.49 | -5.7% |
| 2002 | 10.79 | -6.0% |
| 2003 | 10.11 | -6.4% |
| 2004 | 9.43 | -6.7% |
| 2005 | 8.77 | -7.0% |
| 2006 | 8.13 | -7.4% |
| 2007 | 7.49 | -7.8% |
| 2008 | 6.87 | -8.3% |
| 2009 | 6.26 | -8.9% |
| 2010 | 5.66 | -9.6% |
| 2011 | 5.07 | -10.4% |
| 2012 | 4.49 | -11.3% |
| 2013 | 3.93 | -12.5% |
| 2014 | 3.38 | -14.0% |
| 2015 | 2.84 | -16.0% |
| 2016 | 2.31 | -18.6% |
| 2017 | 1.79 | -22.4% |
| 2018 | 1.29 | -28.2% |
| 2019 | 0.7952 | -38.3% |
| 2020 | 0.3122 | -60.7% |
| 2021 | 0.2278 | -27.0% |
| 2022 | 0.1492 | -34.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.1492 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.1596, 93% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 0.1492 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.42, 1% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where 6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -60.7% | 0.7952 | 0.3122 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9.15 | 6.26 | 12.18 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.16 | 0.7952 | 5.66 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.2297 | 0.1492 | 0.3122 | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa?
- 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa was 0.1492 in 2022, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 12.18 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1492 in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation?
- South Africa ranks 102nd out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
- Is 6.2.1.c proportion of population practising open defecation rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 96.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 6.2.1.c Proportion of population practising open defecation (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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