Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa

South Africa: Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) was 15.3% in 2019. ▼ Falling

Latest (2019)
15.3%
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
105th
of 194 countries
All-time high
17.7%
in 2000
All-time low
15.0%
in 2013
Years of data
20
2000–2019

Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa, 2000–2019

051015202000200920192000: 17.72001: 17.62002: 17.42003: 17.22004: 172005: 16.72006: 16.42007: 16.22008: 15.92009: 15.62010: 15.42011: 15.22012: 15.12013: 152014: 152015: 152016: 152017: 152018: 15.12019: 15.3

Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 15.3% for prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in 2019.

That represents a change of up 1.3% on the previous year and down 1.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa peaked at 17.7% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 15.0%, in 2013.

That places South Africa 105th out of 194 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 20 years of available data.

Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) (%) in South Africa, 2000 to 2019.
Year Value Change
2000 17.7%
2001 17.6% -0.6%
2002 17.4% -1.1%
2003 17.2% -1.1%
2004 17.0% -1.2%
2005 16.7% -1.8%
2006 16.4% -1.8%
2007 16.2% -1.2%
2008 15.9% -1.9%
2009 15.6% -1.9%
2010 15.4% -1.3%
2011 15.2% -1.3%
2012 15.1% -0.7%
2013 15.0% -0.7%
2014 15.0% +0.0%
2015 15.0% +0.0%
2016 15.0% +0.0%
2017 15.0% +0.0%
2018 15.1% +0.7%
2019 15.3% +1.3%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 15.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 15.1%, 1.0× the median. (57 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 15.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 21.4%, 71% of the median. (48 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 16.8% 15.6% 17.7% 10
2010s 15.1% 15.0% 15.4% 10

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 103 Dominican Republic 15.7% compare
  2. 103 Bulgaria 15.7% compare
  3. 106 Slovenia 15.2% compare
  4. 107 Romania 15.1% compare
  5. 107 Serbia 15.1% compare
  6. 107 Iraq 15.1% compare

See the full ranking of 209 places →

More gender data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa?
Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa was 15.3% in 2019, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
What is the highest prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 17.7% in 2000.
What is the lowest prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 15.0% in 2013.
How does South Africa rank for prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49)?
South Africa ranks 105th out of 194 countries with data for 2019.
Is prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/stat/prevalence-of-anaemia-in-non-pregnant-women-aged-15-49-percent/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Prevalence of anaemia in non-pregnant women (aged 15-49) (%)
Source
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO)
Coverage
209 places, 4,180 data points, 2000–2019
Last refreshed