Life expectancy in South Africa increases to 66.5 years

This marks a significant increase from 53.6 years in 2005.

The data shows that female life expectancy has reached 69.2 years, while male life expectancy stands at 63.6 years.

Diego Iturralde, Chief Director for Demographic and Population Statistics, attributed the increase to the expanded rollout of antiretroviral therapy and the uptake of vaccinations and treatments for COVID-19.

"Firstly, the expanded rollout of antiretroviral therapy over time has had a major impact on those living with HIV.

“South Africa has the largest ART program in the world, leading to a reduction in AIDS-related deaths from 284,249 in 2005 (42% of all deaths) to 68,406 in 2024 (12.5% of all deaths).

The second reason is that the uptake of vaccinations and treatments for COVID-19 infections has led to a significant decline in deaths related to the virus since July 2021.

The decrease in the infant mortality rate from an estimated 57 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002 to 22,9 per 1,000 live births in 2024 has also directly impacted the improvement in life expectancy.

These indices reflect improvements in the overall health and living conditions of the population

“Life expectancy, the average number of years a person can expect to live based on current mortality rates, is a key indicator of a population’s health and well-being. In South Africa, life expectancy has increased significantly, reflecting advances in medicine, public health, and socioeconomic development.

“South Africa has faced two pandemics between 2002 and 2024. The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic caused a gradual loss of life over decades, whereas COVID-19 led to a sharp increase in mortality within months," said Iturralde.

ALSO READ