2.1.2 Number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa
South Africa: 2.1.2 Number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) was 5,376 1000 No in 2024. ▲ Rising
2.1.2 Number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa, 2018–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Measured in 1000 No.
Analysis
In 2024, 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa stood at 5,376 1000 No. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 32.1% over ten years.
South Africa ranks 13th of 90 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
2.1.2 Number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | 1000 No | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4,070 1000 No | — |
| 2019 | 4,441 1000 No | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 4,816 1000 No | +8.5% |
| 2021 | 5,157 1000 No | +7.1% |
| 2022 | 5,260 1000 No | +2.0% |
| 2023 | 5,310 1000 No | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 5,376 1000 No | +1.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 5,376 1000 No is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,239 1000 No, 4.3× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 5,376 1000 No is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2,384 1000 No, 2.3× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 4,255 1000 No | 4,070 1000 No | 4,441 1000 No | 2 |
| 2020s | 5,184 1000 No | 4,816 1000 No | 5,376 1000 No | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3618 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa?
- 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) in South Africa was 5,376 1000 No in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- What is the highest 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5,376 1000 No in 2024.
- What is the lowest 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,070 1000 No in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no)?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 90 countries with data for 2024.
- Is 2.1.2 number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, published as part of 2.1.2 Number of severely food insecure people (both sexes or no breakdown by sex) (all age ranges or no breakdown by age) — Value. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
As the custodian agency of 22 SDG indicators, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is responsible for curating and refining the methodologies of these indicators, collecting data from national sources, ensuring their quality and compatibility with applicable standards and classifications, and disseminating data at global level. This FAOSTAT domain complements the global SDG database administered by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD), as well as FAO’s SDG indicators portal, by providing access to the available data for all SDG Indicators under FAO custodianship. While this metadata page provides summary information on all SDG indicators data disseminated through FAOSTAT, indicator-specific metadata can be accessed from the link on the right hand navigation column. This additional metadata file provides details on the methodology used to compile each indicators, their data sources and the contact information of the relevant FAO focal point. It includes the links to the official SDG Indicator metadata documents accessible from the UNSD global SDG database.SDG Indicators under FAO custodianship, consisting of 22 indicators and 66 series that fall under six goals: • Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.• Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.• Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production.• Goal 14: Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.• Goal 15: Life on land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.