Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa
South Africa: Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities was 79.3% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa stood at 79.3%. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 23.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa peaked at 79.3% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 45.3%, in 2000.
That places South Africa 106th out of 175 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.
Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 45.3% | — |
| 2001 | 46.6% | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 47.9% | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 49.2% | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 50.5% | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 51.8% | +2.6% |
| 2006 | 53.2% | +2.6% |
| 2007 | 54.5% | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 55.9% | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 57.2% | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 58.6% | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 60.0% | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 61.4% | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 62.8% | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 64.3% | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 65.7% | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 67.2% | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 68.6% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 70.1% | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 71.6% | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 73.1% | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 74.6% | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 76.2% | +2.1% |
| 2023 | 77.7% | +2.0% |
| 2024 | 79.3% | +2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 51.2% | 45.3% | 57.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 65.0% | 58.6% | 71.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 76.2% | 73.1% | 79.3% | 5 |
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 share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa?
- Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities in South Africa was 79.3% in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 79.3% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.3% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities?
- South Africa ranks 106th out of 175 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the rural population using at least basic sanitation facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people using improved sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines, that are not shared with other households.