Malawi vs South Africa: Number without access to improved sanitation
Malawi
5.22 million
in 2024
South Africa
4.99 million
in 2024
Malawi rank
37th
South Africa rank
38th
Number without access to improved sanitation over time
- Malawi
- South Africa
How they compare
Malawi currently reports 5.22 million against 4.99 million in South Africa, a difference of 224,370.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 25 shared years of data; in 2000 it was South Africa ahead.
Malawi ranks 37th and South Africa ranks 38th of 232 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, Malawi averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Malawi | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.17 million | 10.48 million | 307,495 | South Africa |
| 2010s | 8.25 million | 7.73 million | 513,703 | Malawi |
| 2020s | 5.37 million | 5.61 million | 236,392 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher number without access to improved sanitation, Malawi or South Africa?
- Malawi, at 5.22 million against 4.99 million in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in number without access to improved sanitation between Malawi and South Africa?
- 224,370, with Malawi ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Malawi and South Africa?
- 25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do Malawi and South Africa rank globally for number without access to improved sanitation?
- Malawi ranks 37th and South Africa ranks 38th of 232 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Number without access to improved sanitation. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.