The top killers in South Africa revealed

Stats SA has released data on the leading causes of death in South Africa. The 2022 figures, less skewed by COVID-19 than in the previous two years, still raise concern as the country’s biggest killers remain entirely preventable diseases.

BIGGEST KILLERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

In 2020–2021, COVID-19 accounted for 15% of all recorded deaths in South Africa. As a result, the 2022 data reflects a return to more typical death patterns. South Africa recorded 486 041 deaths in 2022, a notable drop from 620 394 in 2021 and 515 891 in 2020, with most deaths caused by tuberculosis, influenza, and pneumonia.

Interestingly, in a country often associated with high crime, natural deaths outnumber unnatural deaths by almost 10 to 1, with 421 466 natural deaths compared to 64 575 unnatural deaths.

Stats SA can only account for crimes reported to the SAPS, and several deaths are listed under ‘unspecified’ causes, which raises questions about the accuracy of the unnatural death figures.

Still, diabetes tops the list of South Africa’s leading killers, causing 32 863 deaths (6.8%), followed closely by hypertension with 31 230 deaths.

TOP 10 CAUSES OF DEATH

The list below outlines the ten biggest natural killers in South Africa:

• Diabetes mellitus – 32 863
• Hypertensive diseases – 31 230
• Cerebrovascular diseases  – 28 819
• HIV – 20 784
• Other heart diseases – 20 375
• Tuberculosis -20 372
• Influenza and pneumonia – 19 705
• Other viral diseases – 13 139
• Ischaemic heart diseases – 13 137
• Chronic respiratory diseases – 11 838
• Other natural causes – 209 204
• Total: 421 466

UNNATURAL KILLERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

• Accidental injury (unspecified) – 23 568
• Accidental injury (mechanical forces) – 12 018
• Assault – 5 816
• Threat to breathing – 5 769
• Transport accidents – 4 590
• Smoke, fire and flames – 2 786
• Poisoning – 2 547
• Undetermined intent – 1 986
• Drowning – 1 971
• Complications of surgery/medical care – 1 886
• Other unnatural causes – 1 638
• Total: 64 575