Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa
South Africa: Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 was 44.1 in 2019. ▲ Rising
Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa, 1990–2019
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 44.1 for prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in 2019.
That represents a change of down 0.7% on the previous year and down 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa peaked at 45.5 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 34.8, in 1990.
That places South Africa 35th out of 194 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 30 years of available data.
Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 34.8 | — |
| 1991 | 35.1 | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 35.5 | +1.1% |
| 1993 | 35.8 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 36.2 | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 36.6 | +1.1% |
| 1996 | 37 | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 37.5 | +1.4% |
| 1998 | 38 | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 38.6 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 39.2 | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 39.9 | +1.8% |
| 2002 | 40.7 | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 41.5 | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 42.3 | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 43 | +1.7% |
| 2006 | 43.8 | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 44.4 | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 44.9 | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 45.2 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 45.4 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 45.5 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 45.4 | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 45.3 | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 45.2 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 45 | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 44.8 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 44.6 | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 44.4 | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 44.1 | -0.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 44.1 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 40.55, 1.1× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 44.1 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 37.5, 1.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 36.51 | 34.8 | 38.6 | 10 |
| 2000s | 42.49 | 39.2 | 45.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 44.97 | 44.1 | 45.5 | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 33 Bosnia and Herzegovina 44.2 compare
- 33 Palau 44.2 compare
- 35 Botswana 44.1 compare
- 35 Cape Verde 44.1 compare
- 38 Latvia 43.9 compare
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 prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa?
- Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 in South Africa was 44.1 in 2019, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 45.5 in 2011.
- What is the lowest prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.8 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 194 countries with data for 2019.
- Is prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79 rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Prevalence rate of hypertension in adults aged 30-79. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population with hypertension, based on population representative surveys and statistical modeling. Hypertension is a risk factor for chronic complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.