South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Number without access to improved sanitation
South Africa
4.99 million
in 2024
Zimbabwe
5.70 million
in 2024
South Africa rank
38th
Zimbabwe rank
35th
Number without access to improved sanitation over time
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
How they compare
Zimbabwe currently reports 5.70 million against 4.99 million in South Africa, a difference of 709,670.
That makes Zimbabwe's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 25 shared years of data; in 2000 it was South Africa ahead.
South Africa ranks 38th and Zimbabwe ranks 35th of 232 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | Zimbabwe | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.48 million | 4.40 million | 6.08 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 7.73 million | 5.01 million | 2.73 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 5.61 million | 5.53 million | 75,814 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher number without access to improved sanitation, South Africa or Zimbabwe?
- Zimbabwe, at 5.70 million against 4.99 million in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in number without access to improved sanitation between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
- 709,670, with Zimbabwe ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Zimbabwe?
- 25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do South Africa and Zimbabwe rank globally for number without access to improved sanitation?
- South Africa ranks 38th and Zimbabwe ranks 35th 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.