Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa

South Africa: Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on was 44.4% in 2020. ▬ Flat

Latest (2020)
44.4%
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
73rd
of 109 countries
All-time high
44.4%
in 2020
All-time low
43.3%
in 2012
Years of data
9
2012–2020

Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa, 2012–2020

0102030402012201620202012: 43.32013: 43.52014: 43.62015: 43.72016: 43.92017: 442018: 44.12019: 44.22020: 44.4

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa is 44.4%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.

The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa peaked at 44.4% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 43.3%, in 2012.

South Africa ranks 73rd of 109 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises, by urban/rural (%) in South Africa, 2012 to 2020.
Year Value Change
2012 43.3%
2013 43.5% +0.3%
2014 43.6% +0.3%
2015 43.7% +0.3%
2016 43.9% +0.3%
2017 44.0% +0.3%
2018 44.1% +0.3%
2019 44.2% +0.3%
2020 44.4% +0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 43.8% 43.3% 44.2% 8
2020s 44.4% 44.4% 44.4% 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 70 Gabon 48.2%
  2. 71 Ghana 45.5% compare
  3. 72 Namibia 44.6% compare
  4. 74 Zimbabwe 42.5% compare
  5. 75 Mauritania 40.7% compare
  6. 76 Eswatini 39.3% compare

See the full ranking of 143 places →

More infrastructure data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa?
Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa was 44.4% in 2020, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 44.4% in 2020.
What is the lowest proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 43.3% in 2012.
How does South Africa rank for proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on?
South Africa ranks 73rd out of 109 countries with data for 2020.
Is proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises, by urban/rural (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-with-basic-handwashing-facilities-on-premises-by-urban-rural/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises, by urban/rural (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
143 places, 2,114 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed