Proportion of population using at least basic … Proportion sanitation in South Africa
South Africa: Proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services was 77.38 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa stood at 77.38. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa peaked at 77.38 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 60.5, in 2000.
That places South Africa 170th out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
Proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 60.5 | — |
| 2001 | 61.28 | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 62.06 | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 62.85 | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 63.62 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 64.39 | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 65.15 | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 65.91 | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 66.65 | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 67.39 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 68.12 | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 68.84 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 69.55 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 70.25 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 70.94 | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 71.63 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 72.3 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 72.97 | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 73.63 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 74.28 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 74.92 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 75.55 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 76.17 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 76.78 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 77.38 | +0.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 77.38 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 92.69, 83% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 77.38 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 40.65, 1.9× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 63.98 | 60.5 | 67.39 | 10 |
| 2010s | 71.25 | 68.12 | 74.28 | 10 |
| 2020s | 76.16 | 74.92 | 77.38 | 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 using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa?
- Proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services in South Africa was 77.38 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 77.38 in 2024.
- What is the lowest proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.5 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services?
- South Africa ranks 170th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Proportion of population using at least basic sanitation services (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).