Number of intentional homicides — all countries

Number of intentional homicides — South Africa

Number of intentional homicides in South Africa in 2022 — 27,272 people. Ranked 102 in the world out of 105. Since 1994, the indicator has risen by 5%.

2022 27,272 people +8.3% vs 2021
World rank 102of 105
Period maximum 27,272 people2022
Period minimum 15,554 people2011

Trend over time

1994–2022 · people

Number of intentional homicides — South Africa, 1994–202215,00020,00025,00030,00019941997200020032006200920122015201820211994: 25,965 people1995: 26,877 people1996: 25,470 people1997: 24,486 people1998: 25,127 people1999: 22,604 people2000: 21,758 people2001: 21,405 people2002: 21,553 people2003: 19,824 people2004: 18,793 people2005: 18,528 people2006: 19,106 people2007: 18,400 people2008: 18,084 people2009: 16,767 people2010: 15,893 people2011: 15,554 people2012: 16,213 people2013: 17,023 people2014: 17,805 people2015: 18,673 people2016: 19,016 people2017: 20,336 people2018: 21,022 people2019: 21,325 people2020: 19,972 people2021: 25,181 people2022: 27,272 people
Change over the period: +1,307 (+5.03%) Average annual rate: 0.18 %

Comparison, 2022

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa

South Africa 27,272 people
World 424,747 people
Upper-middle-income countries computed 136,181 people
Number of intentional homicides — South Africa, by year South Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2022 27,272 +2,091 +8.3%
2021 25,181 +5,209 +26.08%
2020 19,972 −1,353 −6.34%
2019 21,325 +303 +1.44%
2018 21,022 +686 +3.37%
2017 20,336 +1,320 +6.94%
2016 19,016 +343 +1.84%
2015 18,673 +868 +4.88%
2014 17,805 +782 +4.59%
2013 17,023 +810 +5%
2012 16,213 +659 +4.24%
2011 15,554 −339 −2.13%
2010 15,893 −874 −5.21%
2009 16,767 −1,317 −7.28%
2008 18,084 −316 −1.72%
2007 18,400 −706 −3.7%
2006 19,106 +578 +3.12%
2005 18,528 −265 −1.41%
2004 18,793 −1,031 −5.2%
2003 19,824 −1,729 −8.02%
2002 21,553 +148 +0.69%
2001 21,405 −353 −1.62%
2000 21,758 −846 −3.74%
1999 22,604 −2,523 −10.04%
1998 25,127 +641 +2.62%
1997 24,486 −984 −3.86%
1996 25,470 −1,407 −5.23%
1995 26,877 +912 +3.51%
1994 25,965

About the indicator

The number of victims of intentional homicide during a calendar year. UNODC treats intentional homicide as unlawful death inflicted with the intent to cause it — the definition is standardized across all countries, so the figures are comparable regardless of how the act is classified in national law. The data are collected through the annual survey of countries on crime trends and supplemented with estimates from death registration systems and medical statistics.

Important: The absolute count and the rate per 100,000 answer different questions: large countries stand in the top rows by the number of homicides, and entirely different ones by the rate. Both are worth looking at.

Source: UNODC Crime Statistics, license UN data: free to use with attribution.