Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected in South Africa

South Africa: Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected was 12.00 million in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
12.00 million
Change on year
up 1,500.0%
World rank
3rd
of 55 countries
All-time high
15.00 million
in 2004
All-time low
0
in 1980
Years of data
11
1980–2021

Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected in South Africa, 1980–2021

05.0M10.0M15.0M1980200020211980: 01982: 01986: 850.0k1988: 1.3M1991: 01995: 300.0k2004: 15.0M2015: 2.7M2017: 02019: 750.0k2021: 12.0M

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2021, climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected in South Africa stood at 12.00 million.

That represents a change of up 1,500.0% on the previous year and up 344.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected in South Africa peaked at 15.00 million in 2004 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.

South Africa ranks 3rd of 55 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected: Drought (Not Applicable) in South Africa, 1980 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1980 0
1982 0
1986 850,000
1988 1.32 million +55.3%
1991 0 -100.0%
1995 300,000
2004 15.00 million +4900.0%
2015 2.70 million -82.0%
2017 0 -100.0%
2019 750,000
2021 12.00 million +1500.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 542,500 0 1.32 million 4
1990s 150,000 0 300,000 2
2000s 15.00 million 15.00 million 15.00 million 1
2010s 1.15 million 0 2.70 million 3
2020s 12.00 million 12.00 million 12.00 million 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 1 Ethiopia 24.10 million compare
  2. 2 Indonesia 18.75 million compare
  3. 4 Sudan 11.84 million compare
  4. 5 Afghanistan 11.00 million compare
  5. 6 Zambia 9.80 million compare

See the full ranking of 55 places →

More climate change data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected in South Africa?
Climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected in South Africa was 12.00 million in 2021, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 15.00 million in 2004.
What is the lowest climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
How does South Africa rank for climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected?
South Africa ranks 3rd out of 55 countries with data for 2021.
Is climate related disasters frequency, number of people affected rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 344.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected: Drought (Not Applicable). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://climate.statizoid.com/stat/climate-related-disasters-frequency-number-of-people-affected-drought-not-applicable/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Climate related disasters frequency, Number of People Affected: Drought (Not Applicable)
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
55 places, 498 data points, 1980–2024
Last refreshed

This dataset provides information on global climate and weather patterns, providing insights into temperature variations, land cover accounts, and shifts in mean sea levels.