Number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa
South Africa: Number of daily smokers, men and women was 3.82 million in 2012. ▲ Rising
Number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa, 1980–2012
Source: IHME (2012) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 3.82 million for number of daily smokers, men and women in 2012.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.5% on the previous year and down 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa peaked at 4.89 million in 1996 and was at its lowest, 3.23 million, in 1980.
South Africa ranks 28th of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 33 years of available data.
Number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3.23 million | — |
| 1981 | 3.29 million | +2.0% |
| 1982 | 3.37 million | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 3.47 million | +2.8% |
| 1984 | 3.55 million | +2.5% |
| 1985 | 3.64 million | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 3.74 million | +2.5% |
| 1987 | 3.82 million | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 3.90 million | +2.0% |
| 1989 | 3.98 million | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 4.09 million | +2.6% |
| 1991 | 4.22 million | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 4.36 million | +3.5% |
| 1993 | 4.52 million | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 4.66 million | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 4.79 million | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 4.89 million | +2.1% |
| 1997 | 4.87 million | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 4.85 million | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 4.72 million | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 4.59 million | -2.9% |
| 2001 | 4.45 million | -3.0% |
| 2002 | 4.31 million | -3.2% |
| 2003 | 4.17 million | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 3.99 million | -4.4% |
| 2005 | 3.81 million | -4.5% |
| 2006 | 3.65 million | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 3.53 million | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 3.53 million | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 3.57 million | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 3.64 million | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 3.73 million | +2.3% |
| 2012 | 3.82 million | +2.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.60 million | 3.23 million | 3.98 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.60 million | 4.09 million | 4.89 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.96 million | 3.53 million | 4.59 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.73 million | 3.64 million | 3.82 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 51,011 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 51,011 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa?
- Number of daily smokers, men and women in South Africa was 3.82 million in 2012, according to IHME (2012) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of daily smokers, men and women recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.89 million in 1996.
- What is the lowest number of daily smokers, men and women recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.23 million in 1980.
- How does South Africa rank for number of daily smokers, men and women?
- South Africa ranks 28th out of 186 countries with data for 2012.
- Is number of daily smokers, men and women rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from IHME (2012) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of daily smokers, men and women. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimates of the number of men and women who smoke cigarettes at least daily (all ages).