Annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa
South Africa: Annual number of people affected by all natural disasters was 12.00 million people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa, 1964–2021
Source: EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa is 12.00 million people, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of up 1,500.0% on the previous year and up 974.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa peaked at 15.00 million people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 0 people, in 1982.
That places South Africa 3rd out of 78 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5,000 people | 5,000 people | 5,000 people | 1 |
| 1980s | 542,500 people | 0 people | 1.32 million people | 4 |
| 1990s | 100,000 people | 0 people | 300,000 people | 3 |
| 2000s | 15.00 million people | 15.00 million people | 15.00 million people | 1 |
| 2010s | 690,002 people | 0 people | 1.12 million people | 5 |
| 2020s | 12.00 million people | 12.00 million people | 12.00 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa?
- Annual number of people affected by all natural disasters in South Africa was 12.00 million people in 2021, according to EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual number of people affected by all natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 15.00 million people in 2004.
- What is the lowest annual number of people affected by all natural disasters recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 people in 1982.
- How does South Africa rank for annual number of people affected by all natural disasters?
- South Africa ranks 3rd out of 78 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual number of people affected by all natural disasters rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 974.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual number of people affected by all natural disasters. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of people affected by a natural disaster.