Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa

South Africa: Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed was 753,500 in 2019. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2019)
753,500
Change on year
up 10,485.8%
World rank
10th
of 70 countries
All-time high
2.70 million
in 2015
All-time low
0
in 2005
Years of data
14
2005–2019

Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa, 2005–2019

01.0M2.0M3.0M2005201220192005: 02006: 02007: 3.8k2008: 16.8k2009: 20.3k2010: 6.0k2011: 225.0k2012: 133.2k2013: 117.3k2014: 9.2k2015: 2.7M2016: 27.0k2017: 7.1k2019: 753.5k

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2019, number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa stood at 753,500.

That represents a change of up 10,485.8% on the previous year and up 3,611.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa peaked at 2.70 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2005.

South Africa ranks 10th of 70 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

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

Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed, attributed to disasters (number) in South Africa, 2005 to 2019.
Year Value Change
2005 0
2006 0
2007 3,800
2008 16,752 +340.8%
2009 20,300 +21.2%
2010 6,000 -70.4%
2011 225,036 +3650.6%
2012 133,200 -40.8%
2013 117,292 -11.9%
2014 9,185 -92.2%
2015 2.70 million +29295.8%
2016 27,032 -99.0%
2017 7,118 -73.7%
2019 753,500 +10485.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 8,170 0 20,300 5
2010s 442,040 6,000 2.70 million 9

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 7 China 2.43 million compare
  2. 8 Namibia 1.20 million compare
  3. 9 Ukraine 901,413 compare
  4. 11 Russian Federation 599,107 compare
  5. 12 Sudan 300,158 compare
  6. 13 Lebanon 300,000

See the full ranking of 76 places →

More climate change data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa?
Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa was 753,500 in 2019, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 2.70 million in 2015.
What is the lowest number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2005.
How does South Africa rank for number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed?
South Africa ranks 10th out of 70 countries with data for 2019.
Is number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 3,611.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed, attributed to disasters (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://climate.statizoid.com/stat/number-of-people-whose-livelihoods-were-disrupted-or-destroyed-attributed-to-disasters/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Number of people whose livelihoods were disrupted or destroyed, attributed to disasters (number)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
76 places, 949 data points, 2005–2025
Last refreshed