Reported Social Unrest Index in South Africa
South Africa: Reported Social Unrest Index was 65.85 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Reported Social Unrest Index in South Africa, 1990–2026
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 65.85 for reported social unrest index in 2026.
That represents a change of up 68.2% on the previous year and up 122.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported social unrest index in South Africa peaked at 392.54 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1991.
That places South Africa 44th out of 133 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported Social Unrest Index in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 39.71 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1992 | 21.25 | — |
| 1993 | 76.93 | +262.0% |
| 1994 | 50.58 | -34.3% |
| 1995 | 64.94 | +28.4% |
| 1996 | 56.37 | -13.2% |
| 1997 | 89.83 | +59.3% |
| 1998 | 49.24 | -45.2% |
| 1999 | 18.92 | -61.6% |
| 2000 | 37.93 | +100.5% |
| 2001 | 46.37 | +22.3% |
| 2002 | 134.2 | +189.4% |
| 2003 | 19.57 | -85.4% |
| 2004 | 20.77 | +6.1% |
| 2005 | 52.36 | +152.1% |
| 2006 | 41.26 | -21.2% |
| 2007 | 156.99 | +280.5% |
| 2008 | 33.49 | -78.7% |
| 2009 | 69.2 | +106.6% |
| 2010 | 79.95 | +15.5% |
| 2011 | 144.91 | +81.3% |
| 2012 | 232.08 | +60.2% |
| 2013 | 392.54 | +69.1% |
| 2014 | 28.24 | -92.8% |
| 2015 | 167.72 | +493.8% |
| 2016 | 29.56 | -82.4% |
| 2017 | 267.73 | +805.6% |
| 2018 | 119.48 | -55.4% |
| 2019 | 29.42 | -75.4% |
| 2020 | 19.64 | -33.2% |
| 2021 | 89.48 | +355.6% |
| 2022 | 136.63 | +52.7% |
| 2023 | 54.15 | -60.4% |
| 2024 | 23.84 | -56.0% |
| 2025 | 39.16 | +64.3% |
| 2026 | 65.85 | +68.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 46.78 | 0 | 89.83 | 10 |
| 2000s | 61.21 | 19.57 | 156.99 | 10 |
| 2010s | 149.16 | 28.24 | 392.54 | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.25 | 19.64 | 136.63 | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), annual growth 3.79 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per unit of GDP 16.1 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per capita 106,203 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), annual 1.18 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 0.7819 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per 5,158 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), annual growth 1.17 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), per unit of 9.97 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported social unrest index in South Africa?
- Reported social unrest index in South Africa was 65.85 in 2026, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reported social unrest index recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 392.54 in 2013.
- What is the lowest reported social unrest index recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1991.
- How does South Africa rank for reported social unrest index?
- South Africa ranks 44th out of 133 countries with data for 2026.
- Is reported social unrest index rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 122.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reported Social Unrest Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
This dataset provides two measures of social unrest derived from media reports. One is the “A” index from the paper, and the “events” series. Suggested citation: "Barrett, P., Appendino, M., Nguyen, K., & de Leon Miranda, J. (2022). Measuring social unrest using media reports. Journal of Development Economics, 158, 102924." Note: some sources mis-label China and Hong Kong SAR. Series which explicitly adjust for this are available on request from the authors.