This study estimated the magnitude & characteristics of the injury burden in South Africa within a global context. The Acturial Society of South Africa demographic & AIDS model – calibrated to survey, census, & adjusted vital registration data – was used to calculate the total number of deaths in 2000. Suicide rates were higher than the global average in males but lower in females. The rate (26.3 per 100,000) in males aged 15-29 was particularly high, 1.7 times greater than the global average. The injury burden profile for South Africa differs from most regions of the world as intentional injuries exceed unintentional. (49 refs.)