Proportion of population practising open defecation (Sanitation) in South Africa
South Africa: Proportion of population practising open defecation was 0.2768 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa is 0.2768, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 18.0% on the previous year and down 92.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa peaked at 11.44 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.2768, in 2024.
That places South Africa 99th out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.44 | — |
| 2001 | 10.84 | -5.3% |
| 2002 | 10.23 | -5.6% |
| 2003 | 9.64 | -5.8% |
| 2004 | 9.05 | -6.1% |
| 2005 | 8.48 | -6.3% |
| 2006 | 7.92 | -6.6% |
| 2007 | 7.37 | -7.0% |
| 2008 | 6.83 | -7.3% |
| 2009 | 6.3 | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 5.78 | -8.3% |
| 2011 | 5.27 | -8.8% |
| 2012 | 4.77 | -9.5% |
| 2013 | 4.28 | -10.2% |
| 2014 | 3.8 | -11.2% |
| 2015 | 3.34 | -12.3% |
| 2016 | 2.88 | -13.7% |
| 2017 | 2.43 | -15.5% |
| 2018 | 1.99 | -18.0% |
| 2019 | 1.57 | -21.4% |
| 2020 | 1.15 | -26.7% |
| 2021 | 0.7401 | -35.5% |
| 2022 | 0.3972 | -46.3% |
| 2023 | 0.3375 | -15.0% |
| 2024 | 0.2768 | -18.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.2768 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.2644, 1.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 0.2768 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.15, 2% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -46.3% | 0.7401 | 0.3972 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.81 | 6.3 | 11.44 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.61 | 1.57 | 5.78 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.58 | 0.2768 | 1.15 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa?
- Proportion of population practising open defecation in South Africa was 0.2768 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.44 in 2000.
- What is the lowest proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2768 in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for proportion of population practising open defecation?
- South Africa ranks 99th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of population practising open defecation rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 92.7%. 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 Proportion of population practising open defecation (Sanitation). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).