Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in South Africa
South Africa: Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries was 15 attacks in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in South Africa, 1970–2021
Source: National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in attacks.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 15 attacks for terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in 2021.
That represents a change of down 11.8% on the previous year and down 44.4% over five years.
Over the whole period, terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in South Africa peaked at 271 attacks in 1992 and was at its lowest, 0 attacks, in 1970.
That places South Africa 30th out of 187 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.2 attacks | 0 attacks | 16 attacks | 10 |
| 1980s | 99.9 attacks | 23 attacks | 245 attacks | 10 |
| 1990s | 93.89 attacks | 6 attacks | 271 attacks | 9 |
| 2000s | 3.2 attacks | 0 attacks | 21 attacks | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.2 attacks | 0 attacks | 41 attacks | 10 |
| 2020s | 16 attacks | 15 attacks | 17 attacks | 2 |
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 terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in South Africa?
- Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries in South Africa was 15 attacks in 2021, according to National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 271 attacks in 1992.
- What is the lowest terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 attacks in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries?
- South Africa ranks 30th out of 187 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Terrorist attacks, deaths and injuries. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of terrorist attacks.