Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa

South Africa: Prevalence of anemia in children was 44.4 in 2019. ▬ Flat

Latest (2019)
44.4
Change on year
up 3.5%
World rank
53rd
of 190 countries
All-time high
44.4
in 2019
All-time low
34.5
in 2012
Years of data
20
2000–2019

Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa, 2000–2019

0102030402000200920192000: 41.32001: 412002: 40.72003: 40.62004: 40.82005: 40.82006: 40.92007: 40.12008: 38.92009: 37.22010: 35.62011: 34.62012: 34.52013: 35.32014: 36.62015: 382016: 39.62017: 41.22018: 42.92019: 44.4

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa is 44.4, measured in 2019. That is the highest value across all 20 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.5% on the previous year and up 19.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa peaked at 44.4 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 34.5, in 2012.

That places South Africa 53rd out of 190 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.

Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa, 2000 to 2019.
Year Value Change
2000 41.3
2001 41 -0.7%
2002 40.7 -0.7%
2003 40.6 -0.2%
2004 40.8 +0.5%
2005 40.8 +0.0%
2006 40.9 +0.2%
2007 40.1 -2.0%
2008 38.9 -3.0%
2009 37.2 -4.4%
2010 35.6 -4.3%
2011 34.6 -2.8%
2012 34.5 -0.3%
2013 35.3 +2.3%
2014 36.6 +3.7%
2015 38 +3.8%
2016 39.6 +4.2%
2017 41.2 +4.0%
2018 42.9 +4.1%
2019 44.4 +3.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 40.23 37.2 41.3 10
2010s 38.27 34.5 44.4 10

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 50 Afghanistan 44.9 compare
  2. 51 Bhutan 44.7 compare
  3. 52 Nepal 44.6 compare
  4. 54 Cape Verde 44.1 compare
  5. 55 Botswana 43.3 compare
  6. 56 Bangladesh 43.1 compare

See the full ranking of 190 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa?
Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa was 44.4 in 2019, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest prevalence of anemia in children recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 44.4 in 2019.
What is the lowest prevalence of anemia in children recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 34.5 in 2012.
How does South Africa rank for prevalence of anemia in children?
South Africa ranks 53rd out of 190 countries with data for 2019.
Is prevalence of anemia in children rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 19.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Prevalence of anemia in children. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Prevalence of anemia in children in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/prevalence-of-anemia-in-children/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of anemia in children
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
190 places, 3,800 data points, 2000–2019
Last refreshed