Electronic waste generated in South Africa
South Africa: Electronic waste generated was 108,000 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
108,000 tonnes
Change on year
down 99.8%
World rank
18th
of 31 countries
All-time high
151.94 million tonnes
in 2019
All-time low
108,000 tonnes
in 2023
Years of data
6
2018–2023
Electronic waste generated in South Africa, 2018–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for electronic waste generated in South Africa is 108,000 tonnes, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 99.8% on the previous year and down 99.9% over ten years.
That places South Africa 18th out of 31 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Electronic waste generated in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 73.19 million tonnes | — |
| 2019 | 151.94 million tonnes | +107.6% |
| 2020 | 67.06 million tonnes | -55.9% |
| 2021 | 5.48 million tonnes | -91.8% |
| 2022 | 65.32 million tonnes | +1090.8% |
| 2023 | 108,000 tonnes | -99.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 108,000 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 85,641 tonnes, 1.3× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 112.57 million tonnes | 73.19 million tonnes | 151.94 million tonnes | 2 |
| 2020s | 34.49 million tonnes | 108,000 tonnes | 67.06 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More environment data for South Africa
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 8.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.275 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.05 °C (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.59 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.2953 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is electronic waste generated in South Africa?
- Electronic waste generated in South Africa was 108,000 tonnes in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest electronic waste generated recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 151.94 million tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest electronic waste generated recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 108,000 tonnes in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for electronic waste generated?
- South Africa ranks 18th out of 31 countries with data for 2023.
- Is electronic waste generated rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 99.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Electronic waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).