Proportion of population using basic sanitation services (Sanitation) in South Africa
South Africa: Proportion of population using basic sanitation services was 3.6 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of population using basic sanitation services in South Africa is 3.6, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 76.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of population using basic sanitation services in South Africa peaked at 15.5 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 3.6, in 2024.
That places South Africa 118th out of 149 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13.11 | — |
| 2001 | 13.28 | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 13.46 | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 13.63 | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 13.8 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 13.98 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 14.15 | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 14.32 | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 14.49 | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 14.66 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 14.83 | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 15 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 15.17 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 15.33 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 15.5 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 14.3 | -7.7% |
| 2016 | 13.05 | -8.7% |
| 2017 | 11.75 | -10.0% |
| 2018 | 10.4 | -11.5% |
| 2019 | 9 | -13.5% |
| 2020 | 7.54 | -16.2% |
| 2021 | 6.03 | -20.0% |
| 2022 | 4.47 | -25.9% |
| 2023 | 3.61 | -19.2% |
| 2024 | 3.6 | -0.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3.6 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 40.34, 9% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3.6 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7.07, 51% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Proportion of population using basic sanitation services 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 | -25.9% | 6.03 | 4.47 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.89 | 13.11 | 14.66 | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.43 | 9 | 15.5 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.05 | 3.6 | 7.54 | 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 basic sanitation services in South Africa?
- Proportion of population using basic sanitation services in South Africa was 3.6 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest proportion of population using basic sanitation services recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15.5 in 2014.
- What is the lowest proportion of population using basic sanitation services recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.6 in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for proportion of population using basic sanitation services?
- South Africa ranks 118th out of 149 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of population using basic sanitation services rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 76.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Proportion of population using 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).