Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa
South Africa: Decadal average surface temperature was 18.25 °C in 2010. ▲ Rising
Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa, 1940–2010
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.
Analysis
The most recent figure for decadal average surface temperature in South Africa is 18.25 °C, measured in 2010. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, decadal average surface temperature in South Africa peaked at 18.25 °C in 2010 and was at its lowest, 17.12 °C, in 1970.
That places South Africa 123rd out of 193 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the middle of the range.
Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa, year by year
| Year | °C | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 17.13 °C | — |
| 1950 | 17.19 °C | +0.3% |
| 1960 | 17.21 °C | +0.1% |
| 1970 | 17.12 °C | -0.5% |
| 1980 | 17.59 °C | +2.8% |
| 1990 | 17.64 °C | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 17.78 °C | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 18.25 °C | +2.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 18.25 °C is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 22.75 °C, 80% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 18.25 °C is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.23 °C, 72% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 17.13 °C | 17.13 °C | 17.13 °C | 1 |
| 1950s | 17.19 °C | 17.19 °C | 17.19 °C | 1 |
| 1960s | 17.21 °C | 17.21 °C | 17.21 °C | 1 |
| 1970s | 17.12 °C | 17.12 °C | 17.12 °C | 1 |
| 1980s | 17.59 °C | 17.59 °C | 17.59 °C | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.64 °C | 17.64 °C | 17.64 °C | 1 |
| 2000s | 17.78 °C | 17.78 °C | 17.78 °C | 1 |
| 2010s | 18.25 °C | 18.25 °C | 18.25 °C | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is decadal average surface temperature in South Africa?
- Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa was 18.25 °C in 2010, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest decadal average surface temperature recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.25 °C in 2010.
- What is the lowest decadal average surface temperature recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.12 °C in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for decadal average surface temperature?
- South Africa ranks 123rd out of 193 countries with data for 2010.
- Is decadal average surface temperature rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Decadal average surface temperature. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.