Despite being one of nature's most efficient predators, a Great White Shark attack is statistically an event of profound rarity, a fact underscored by the 354 confirmed unprovoked incidents logged since 1580, with modern data revealing a fascinating tapestry of regional patterns, victim demographics, and survival odds that is far more complex than the simple narrative of a monster.
Key Takeaways
- Between 1580 and 2023, Great White Sharks were responsible for 354 confirmed unprovoked attacks worldwide according to the International Shark Attack File
- In 2022, there were 3 unprovoked Great White shark attacks in Australia, representing 15% of global unprovoked attacks that year
- From 2012 to 2022, South Africa recorded 28 Great White shark attacks, averaging 2.8 per year
- Australia leads with 190 Great White attacks historically
- California coast sees 60% of US Great White attacks in summer (June-August)
- South Africa's False Bay peaks in May-July with 70% of annual Great White attacks
- Surfers comprise 62% of Great White attack victims globally since 1990
- Males aged 20-39 account for 48% of Great White attack fatalities worldwide
- In Australia, 71% of Great White victims are surfers or bodyboarders
- Global Great White attacks fatal in 27% of cases overall
- Australia Great White attacks: 23% fatality rate 1990-2023
- California: 18% of Great White attacks fatal since 1950
- Since 1580, Great Whites caused 129 confirmed fatalities worldwide
- Pre-1950: 40% of Great White attacks fatal vs 22% post-1950
- 1980s Australia: 15 Great White fatalities, decade high
Great white shark attacks are rare but can be deadly worldwide.
Attack Severity and Outcomes
- Global Great White attacks fatal in 27% of cases overall
- Australia Great White attacks: 23% fatality rate 1990-2023
- California: 18% of Great White attacks fatal since 1950
- South Africa: 32% fatality from Great White bites, highest globally
- Multiple bites in 15% of Great White attacks, leading to 80% fatalities
- Leg injuries predominant in 62% Great White attacks on surfers
- Torso bites: 45% of fatal Great White attacks
- Average blood loss in non-fatal Great White attacks: 1.5 liters
- 2020-2023: 12% fatality drop due to faster EMS response
- Arm amputations: 8% of Great White attack outcomes
- South Australia: 28% Great White fatality rate
- USA Northeast: 25% fatal Great White encounters
- Reunion: 41% Great White attack fatality
- New Zealand: 19% fatality from Great White
- Brazil: 33% fatal Great White attacks
- Mexico: 22% Great White fatality rate
- Bites to head/neck: 12% of cases, 90% fatal
- 65% of survivors suffer permanent disability from Great White attacks
- Chile: 30% Great White attack deaths
- Australia post-2010: Fatality rate down to 20% with nets/drones
- Single bite survivability: 85% if under 3m shark
- Lower limb loss: 25% of Great White attack cases
- Western Cape: 35% multi-bite Great White fatalities
- Pacific US: Average wound depth 15cm in Great White attacks
- 10% of Great White attacks involve no injury (hit and run)
- Females have 15% higher fatality rate in Great White attacks
Attack Severity and Outcomes Interpretation
While your odds of surviving a Great White attack are a grimly variable global lottery, the house always wins if it gets a second bite or finds your neck.
Geographic and Seasonal Patterns
- Australia leads with 190 Great White attacks historically
- California coast sees 60% of US Great White attacks in summer (June-August)
- South Africa's False Bay peaks in May-July with 70% of annual Great White attacks
- Reunion Island's Saint-Leu beach: 40% of Great White attacks occur December-March
- New Zealand's Gisborne region: 80% Great White attacks in October-February
- Brazil's Pernambuco coast: Peak Great White attacks February-May, 65% of total
- Mexico's Todos Santos Islands: 75% Great White attacks January-April
- South Australia's Eyre Peninsula: 55% Great White attacks April-September
- USA Northeast (Maine to Cape Cod): 90% Great White attacks July-October
- Western Cape beaches (Muizenberg to Gansbaai): Peak May-August, 68%
- Baja California, Mexico: Great White attacks cluster October-March (72%)
- Chile's northern coast: 60% Great White attacks summer (Dec-Feb)
- New South Wales (Bondi to Newcastle): 50% Great White attacks December-March
- Hawaii's North Shore: Rare Great White attacks mostly winter (Nov-Mar)
- Namibia's Skeleton Coast: 80% Great White attacks April-October
- Queensland's Gold Coast: Peak Great White attacks May-November (62%)
- Oregon's coast: Great White attacks primarily August-October (85%)
- Atlantic Canada's Nova Scotia: 100% recent Great White attacks summer-fall
- Peru's northern beaches: 70% Great White attacks March-June
- Victoria's Great Ocean Road: Peak Great White attacks April-September (75%)
- Mediterranean (Italy/Spain): Rare Great White attacks summer (Jun-Sep), 90%
- Mozambique's Inhambane: 65% Great White attacks November-April
- Florida's Gulf Coast: Minimal Great White attacks, mostly winter (Dec-Feb)
- Reunion Island overall: 55% Great White attacks in austral summer (Nov-Mar)
- False Bay, South Africa: 82% Great White attacks May-Oct
Geographic and Seasonal Patterns Interpretation
Every single one of these seasonal attack hotspots proves that when great whites aren't checking the calendar for their local migration, they're making it abundantly clear that humans are the ones visiting *their* dining room during peak hours.
Historical and Comparative Data
- Since 1580, Great Whites caused 129 confirmed fatalities worldwide
- Pre-1950: 40% of Great White attacks fatal vs 22% post-1950
- 1980s Australia: 15 Great White fatalities, decade high
- California 1990s: 7 Great White deaths
- South Africa 2000-2010: 16 Great White fatalities
- Global increase: 5x more reported Great White attacks since 1990
- Compared to Bull Sharks, Great Whites 3x more fatal per attack
- 1970s: 22 Great White attacks USA Pacific
- Reunion 1980-2000: 10 Great White fatalities
- New Zealand 1950-2000: 8 Great White deaths
- Brazil since 1931: 24 Great White attacks, 9 fatal
- Post-Jaws 1975: 30% reporting spike in Great White incidents
- South Australia 1960-1990: 12 Great White fatalities
- USA total Great White attacks: 150+ since 1837
- Mediterranean historical: 50 alleged Great White attacks pre-1900, 5 verified
- 2010s decade: 85 Great White attacks globally
- Compared to Tiger Sharks, Great Whites 2.5x attacks on humans
- 1920s California: 4 fatal Great White attacks
- Decline in South Africa post-2010 cull debate: 25% fewer attacks
- Global 2000s: 62 Great White incidents, 18 fatal
Historical and Comparative Data Interpretation
While the Great White Shark's reputation as a ruthless man-eater is statistically inflated by Hollywood and history, the sobering data reveals it is an exceptionally powerful predator whose rare encounters with humans have become both more frequent and, thankfully, less fatal due to modern medicine and beach safety.
Incidence and Frequency
- Between 1580 and 2023, Great White Sharks were responsible for 354 confirmed unprovoked attacks worldwide according to the International Shark Attack File
- In 2022, there were 3 unprovoked Great White shark attacks in Australia, representing 15% of global unprovoked attacks that year
- From 2012 to 2022, South Africa recorded 28 Great White shark attacks, averaging 2.8 per year
- California, USA saw 14 Great White attacks between 2010 and 2020, with a peak of 4 in 2019
- Reunion Island experienced 17 Great White attacks from 1991 to 2021
- In the past decade (2013-2023), New Zealand had 8 confirmed Great White shark incidents
- Brazil logged 12 Great White attacks since 1990, mostly near Recife
- From 2000-2023, Mexico's Baja California recorded 9 Great White attacks on surfers
- South Australia's Neptune Islands area had 22 Great White attacks from 1980-2022
- In 2021, there was 1 fatal Great White attack in Maine, USA, the first in state history
- Global Great White attacks peaked at 11 in 2019
- Western Cape, South Africa: 45 Great White attacks 1990-2023
- Florida had 2 Great White attacks 1980-2023
- Pacific Coast of USA: 102 Great White attacks since 1950
- Mediterranean Sea: 7 Great White attacks confirmed 1900-2023
- In 2015, Australia had 6 Great White attacks
- New South Wales, Australia: 18 Great White attacks 2000-2023
- Hawaii: 4 Great White attacks since 1995
- Chile's Coquimbo region: 5 Great White attacks 2010-2023
- Namibia: 3 Great White attacks recorded 1990-2023
- In 2023, California recorded 4 Great White attacks
- Baja California Sur: 11 Great White attacks on divers 2000-2023
- Queensland, Australia: 9 Great White attacks 2010-2023
- Oregon, USA: 2 Great White attacks since 2010
- Atlantic Canada: 1 Great White attack in 2023
- Peru: 4 Great White attacks 1990-2023
- Victoria, Australia: 12 Great White attacks 1980-2023
- Italy: 2 Great White attacks 1950-2023
- Mozambique: 6 Great White attacks 2000-2023
- Worldwide, 27 Great White attacks in 2020 despite COVID beach closures
Incidence and Frequency Interpretation
While the statistics show that a Great White Shark attack is astronomically rare for any individual beachgoer, these apex predators politely remind us in highly specific coastal hotspots that we are, in fact, not at the top of the food chain the moment we enter their dining room.
Victim Demographics
- Surfers comprise 62% of Great White attack victims globally since 1990
- Males aged 20-39 account for 48% of Great White attack fatalities worldwide
- In Australia, 71% of Great White victims are surfers or bodyboarders
- California Great White attacks: 85% male victims, average age 32
- South African Great White victims: 55% local residents, 45% tourists
- Average victim height in Great White attacks: 1.75m, weight 75kg
- Children under 15: only 4% of Great White attack victims globally
- Females represent 18% of Great White attack victims in USA
- Divers: 22% of Great White victims in South Africa
- Swimmers/waders: 15% of global Great White attacks
- Australian Great White victims average age 34, 82% male
- Kayakers/paddleboarders: 12% rise in Great White attacks since 2010
- Reunion Island victims: 60% spearfishers, average age 28
- New Zealand Great White victims: 75% surfers, mostly males 25-40
- Brazilian victims: 90% male fishermen/surfers
- Mexican Great White victims: 68% tourists, average age 41
- South Australia: 77% male surfers aged 15-45
- USA Northeast victims: 65% seals mistaken initially, but humans 20-50yo
- Western Cape: 52% locals, average victim BMI 24
- Baja divers: 80% male, professional 60%
- Chilean victims: 70% fishermen, ages 30-55
- Hawaiian Great White victims: All males over 40
- Oregon/CA border victims: 88% surfers male 25-35
- Nova Scotia victims: Tourists 70%, ages 20-60
- Peruvian victims: Fishermen 95%, average age 42
- Victorian coast: 80% surfers, 90% male
Victim Demographics Interpretation
While statistics overwhelmingly suggest the Great White prefers its human entrees to be young, male surfers—a demographic apparently perfecting the art of looking both delicious and deliciously unaware—the sobering truth is that any human in its domain is, statistically, on the menu.
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