Life Expectancy at Birth: South Africa
South Africa's life expectancy at birth is currently 66.312 years as of 2024. # South Africa Life Expectancy at Birth South Africa's life expectancy at birth reached 66.
Current (2024)
66.312 years
+0.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
66.312 years
Low (1960)
52.575 years
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Life Expectancy at Birth — South Africa
1960 — 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth — South Africa
Analysis# South Africa Life Expectancy at Birth
South Africa's life expectancy at birth reached 66.312 years in 2024, marking an all-time high and representing a 26.1% increase since 1960, when the metric stood at 52.575 years. This six-decade climb reflects substantial improvements in healthcare access and living standards, though regional disparities and historical inequities continue to shape health outcomes across the nation.
The recent trajectory shows resilience following a significant pandemic-driven dip. Life expectancy declined sharply to 62.01 years in 2021 but recovered quickly, climbing 4.3 years over the subsequent three years. The consistent upward movement from 2022 onward—from 65.454 to 66.312—suggests that mortality pressures are easing and public health interventions are gaining traction. Sustained focus on infectious disease management and healthcare infrastructure will determine whether this momentum continues.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 66.312 years | +0.26% |
| 2023 | 66.139 years | +1.05% |
| 2022 | 65.454 years | +5.55% |
| 2021 | 62.01 years | -4.82% |
| 2020 | 65.15 years | -1.39% |
| 2019 | 66.071 years | +0.52% |
| 2018 | 65.726 years | +0.46% |
| 2017 | 65.422 years | +1.04% |
| 2016 | 64.749 years | +1.09% |
| 2015 | 64.053 years | +1.38% |
| 2014 | 63.184 years | +1.28% |
| 2013 | 62.388 years | +1.05% |
| 2012 | 61.737 years | +1.87% |
| 2011 | 60.602 years | +2.91% |
| 2010 | 58.886 years | +2.57% |
| 2009 | 57.413 years | +2.56% |
| 2008 | 55.982 years | +1.88% |
| 2007 | 54.948 years | +1.34% |
| 2006 | 54.22 years | +0.57% |
| 2005 | 53.914 years | -0.09% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 53.963 years | -0.52% |
| 2003 | 54.245 years | -2.40% |
| 2002 | 55.58 years | -2.77% |
| 2001 | 57.161 years | -2.07% |
| 2000 | 58.368 years | -1.39% |
| 1999 | 59.19 years | -1.21% |
| 1998 | 59.912 years | -1.03% |
| 1997 | 60.538 years | -0.89% |
| 1996 | 61.079 years | -0.85% |
| 1995 | 61.603 years | -0.75% |
| 1994 | 62.069 years | -0.88% |
| 1993 | 62.618 years | -0.35% |
| 1992 | 62.839 years | -0.23% |
| 1991 | 62.983 years | +0.07% |
| 1990 | 62.942 years | -0.12% |
| 1989 | 63.017 years | +0.18% |
| 1988 | 62.902 years | +0.33% |
| 1987 | 62.694 years | +0.44% |
| 1986 | 62.421 years | +0.36% |
| 1985 | 62.195 years | +0.58% |
| 1984 | 61.837 years | +0.72% |
| 1983 | 61.393 years | +0.75% |
| 1982 | 60.936 years | +0.81% |
| 1981 | 60.445 years | +0.81% |
| 1980 | 59.961 years | +0.82% |
| 1979 | 59.472 years | +0.82% |
| 1978 | 58.991 years | +0.87% |
| 1977 | 58.48 years | +0.83% |
| 1976 | 58 years | +0.71% |
| 1975 | 57.591 years | +0.84% |
| 1974 | 57.11 years | +0.69% |
| 1973 | 56.72 years | +0.61% |
| 1972 | 56.377 years | +0.64% |
| 1971 | 56.02 years | +0.61% |
| 1970 | 55.681 years | +0.43% |
| 1969 | 55.44 years | +0.45% |
| 1968 | 55.191 years | +0.43% |
| 1967 | 54.955 years | +0.41% |
| 1966 | 54.731 years | +0.56% |
| 1965 | 54.427 years | +0.39% |
| 1964 | 54.215 years | +0.59% |
| 1963 | 53.895 years | +0.61% |
| 1962 | 53.566 years | +0.94% |
| 1961 | 53.067 years | +0.94% |
| 1960 | 52.575 years | — |
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