Skip to main content

South Africa

Diet and nutrition profile based on FAO Food Balance Sheets (1961–2023).

2,694 kcal/day
79.2 g protein/day
95.6 g fat/day
144 of 200
South Africa provides an average of 2,694 kcal per person per day (2023), with 79.2g of protein and 95.6g of fat. Since 1961, calorie supply has remained broadly stable (from 2,671 to 2,694 kcal). Globally, South Africa ranks #144 out of 200 countries by calorie supply.

Food Supply Trend

Daily food supply per capita in South Africa compared to the world average.

Diet Composition (2023)

Where the calories come from — food group breakdown by kcal/capita/day.

Macronutrient Trends

Protein and fat supply over time in South Africa.

Food Supply Treemap

Area-proportional view of South Africa's food supply — larger blocks mean more calories from that food group.

What's Different?

How South Africa's food supply differs from the world average — bars show excess (right) or deficit (left) in calories.

vs. EAT-Lancet Reference Diet

How South Africa's food supply compares to the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet — the scientifically-derived dietary pattern for human and planetary health.

⚠️ Approximate comparison. FAO food supply data measures availability (not intake) and uses different food group definitions than the EAT-Lancet framework. Bars show directional patterns, not precise gaps.

Explore the full Planetary Health Diet →

Similar Countries

Countries with a similar calorie supply.

🔗 South Africa in the Mortality Explorer

Explore South Africa's mortality data — life expectancy, causes of death, and risk factors — in our companion tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories per day does South Africa produce?

South Africa's food supply provides approximately 2,694 kcal per person per day as of 2023, according to FAO Food Balance Sheets. This measures food availability, not actual individual consumption — household-level waste typically reduces actual intake by 20–30%.

How has South Africa's diet changed over time?

Between 1961 and 2023, South Africa's total calorie supply changed from 2,671 to 2,694 kcal/capita/day (an increase of 1%). Protein supply went from 70.7g to 79.2g per day. Fat supply changed from 60.5g to 95.6g per day.

Where does South Africa rank globally?

South Africa ranks #144 out of 200 countries by calorie supply per capita. The world average is approximately 3,016 kcal/capita/day.

How does South Africa's diet differ from the world average?

The butterfly chart above shows the difference in food supply composition between South Africa and the global average. Bars extending to the right indicate food groups where South Africa consumes more than the world average, while bars extending left show deficits. These differences reflect agricultural production, cultural food traditions, income levels, and trade patterns.

What are dietary risk factors?

Dietary risk factors are eating patterns linked to chronic disease and premature death, as modeled by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The five major dietary risks are: high sodium intake, low fruit intake, low vegetable intake, low whole grain intake, and low nut and seed intake. These are population-level statistical estimates — not direct counts of individual deaths.