China vs South Africa: Open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas
China
0.0%
in 2024
South Africa
0.0%
in 2024
China rank
105th
South Africa rank
105th
Open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas over time
- China
- South Africa
How they compare
China currently reports 0.0% against 0.0% in South Africa, a difference of 0.0%.
Across all 25 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
China ranks 105th and South Africa ranks 105th of 175 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.2% | 18.4% | 15.2% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 1.3% | 7.8% | 6.4% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 0.1% | 0.6% | 0.5% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas, China or South Africa?
- China, at 0.0% against 0.0% in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas between China and South Africa?
- 0.0%, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and South Africa?
- 25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do China and South Africa rank globally for open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas?
- China ranks 105th and South Africa ranks 105th of 175 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Open defecation in rural areas vs. urban areas. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Share of people who practice open defecation. This includes defecating in fields, forests, bushes, bodies of water or other open spaces, not using any sanitation facilities.