Diabetes kills more South Africans than any other natural cause for third year running
South Africa's 2024 mortality data reveals diabetes as the leading natural cause of death for the third consecutive year, with 28,767 fatalities averaging nearly 79 per day. Women and working-age adults bear the highest burden. Experts urge urgent government action to implement a coordinated national diabetes strategy.
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In 2024, diabetes was once again South Africa’s leading natural cause of death, responsible for 28,767 fatalities, or 6.1% of all deaths nationwide, according to Statistics South Africa’s recent report.
This averages to nearly 79 deaths each day, continuing a troubling trend observed in 2022 and 2023. The data highlights a public health crisis where diabetes-related complications claim more lives than any other natural cause.
The burden is unevenly distributed: women suffered 17,429 deaths (7.9% of female deaths), while men accounted for 11,334 deaths (4.5% of male deaths). Working-age adults aged 45-64 were particularly affected, with diabetes ranking as the top cause of death in this group.
Experts, including the chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance, emphasize that diabetes is manageable with timely care and call for urgent political action. They urge the South African Department of Health to establish a national diabetes strategy with clear prevention and care targets, adequately funded by the finance ministry and led by coordinated government efforts.
Noncommunicable diseases overall accounted for 60.7% of deaths in 2024, with diabetes, hypertensive diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases often overlapping in patients, complicating treatment efforts in primary care.