A recent report by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has revealed that diabetes, hypertension and strokes were the top three underlying causes of death in the country in 2024. The findings are based on 474 366 deaths registered with the Department of Home Affairs and processed by Stats SA. The report highlights a continuing shift in the country's mortality profile towards non-communicable diseases.
The report, titled "Mortality and Causes of Death in South Africa, 2024: Findings from death notification", found that diabetes mellitus accounted for 6.1% of deaths, followed by hypertensive diseases at 5.5% and cerebrovascular diseases - which include strokes - at 5.4%. These three leading causes of death were all non-communicable diseases. The proportion of deaths attributed to communicable diseases fell from 45.6% to 26% between 2003 and 2024.
The mortality profile differed between men and women. Tuberculosis remained the leading underlying cause of death among men, accounting for 4.8% of male deaths. Cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus followed, each accounting for 4.5%. Among women, diabetes was the leading cause, accounting for 7.9% of female deaths. Hypertensive diseases followed at 7.1%, while cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 6.4%.
The report also highlights differences across age groups. Diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of death among people aged 45 to 64, accounting for 7.1% of deaths in this age group. Among those aged 65 and older, hypertensive diseases were the leading cause, accounting for 9.4%. KwaZulu-Natal was among the provinces where diabetes was the leading underlying cause of death, accounting for 7% of deaths in the province.
Stats SA said the report is based on information recorded on death notification forms and focuses on the underlying cause of death - defined as the disease or injury that initiated the sequence of events leading directly to death. The total number of deaths recorded in 2024 was also lower than in 2023, when 483 298 deaths were processed. The 474 366 deaths recorded in 2024 continued the downward trend following the spike in deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Behind diabetes, hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases, tuberculosis was the fourth-leading underlying cause of death in 2024, accounting for 3.9% of deaths. HIV disease ranked fifth at 3.8%, followed by influenza and pneumonia at 3.2%. Other forms of heart disease ranked seventh, accounting for 3% of deaths, while ischaemic heart diseases accounted for 2.8%.
The statistics are subject to further updates as additional death notification forms and late registrations are received and processed. The report shows that six of the 10 leading causes of death for both sexes were non-communicable diseases. Chronic lower respiratory diseases and other viral diseases rounded out the top 10, each accounting for 2.5% of deaths.
Key points
- Diabetes, hypertension and strokes were the leading causes of death in South Africa in 2024.
- The proportion of deaths attributed to communicable diseases fell from 45.6% to 26% between 2003 and 2024.
- Diabetes was the leading cause of death among women, accounting for 7.9% of female deaths.
