South Africa recorded a significant 22% decline in deaths in 2022. Mortality rates returned to near pre-pandemic levels, according to new data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). However, the report highlights a concerning shift in the leading causes of death. Diabetes mellitus now tops the list for both men and women.
The number of deaths dropped sharply to 486,041 in 2022, down from the 620,394 deaths registered during the COVID-19-dominated period of 2020-2021. The data, collected from the national civil registration system, signals an end to the pandemic's severe impact on the country's mortality patterns.
NCDs and Diabetes: The New Leading Causes of Death in South Africa
While the overall death toll has fallen, the report reveals a new public health challenge. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) caused nearly 60% of all deaths in 2022, while communicable diseases accounted for 28%.
Diabetes mellitus was identified as the single biggest killer. It was responsible for 5.2% of male deaths and a significantly higher 8.6% of female deaths. It was the primary cause of mortality for people aged 45-64. For women, hypertensive diseases were the second most common cause of death, at 8.2%.
A Demographic Breakdown of Mortality
Understanding the leading causes of death in South Africa requires a closer look at the demographic breakdown provided in the 2022 data.
- By Sex: More males (53.5%) died than females (46.5%) overall. This trend reverses after the age of 70, where female deaths become more numerous. The highest number of male deaths occurred in the 60-64 age group. Meanwhile, for females, it was the 70-74 age group.
- By Age: The highest number of deaths for both sexes combined was in the 65-69 age bracket. This age bracket saw 41,760 fatalities.
- By Population Group: Black Africans accounted for the highest percentage of deaths at 68.9% (335,049). This was followed by Whites at 9.5% (46,204), Coloureds at 7.6% (37,137), and the Indian/Asian population at 2.3% (10,938). Stats SA noted these figures are broadly in line with the country's population distribution.
HIV Returns to the Top 5 Leading Causes of Death in South Africa
After being displaced by COVID-19 in recent years, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has returned to the top five leading causes of death in South Africa. In 2022, HIV was ranked as the fourth leading killer, accounting for 4.3% of all deaths. Worryingly, it remains the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 44. This highlights its continued impact on the nation's younger and working-age population.