South Africa: health and care

What is the leading cause of death in South Africa?

Diabetes was the leading underlying natural cause of death in South Africa in 2024, responsible for 28,767 deaths or 6.1% of the total, according to Stats SA's Mortality and causes of death 2024 report, released on 22 September 2026. Hypertensive diseases (5.5%) and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke (5.4%) were next, followed by tuberculosis (3.9%) and HIV (3.8%).

The ranking is based on death notification forms and covers natural causes only; non-natural causes such as injuries made up 13.3% of deaths. Diabetes has been the leading cause in each of the three years from 2022 to 2024.

Official sources: Stats SA: Mortality and causes of death, 2024 (PDF)

How many people die in South Africa each year?

474,366 deaths that occurred in 2024 were registered in South Africa, according to Stats SA's Mortality and causes of death 2024 report. The count was 483,298 for 2023 and 493,900 for 2022, after updates for late registrations.

The figures count deaths registered through the civil registration system and processed by Stats SA, so the latest year can rise as late registrations arrive. Earlier years were higher because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stats SA's 2026 mid-year population estimates put the population at 63.52 million.

Official sources: Stats SA: Mortality and causes of death, 2024 (PDF)

How many people have HIV in South Africa?

About 7.8 million people in South Africa were living with HIV in 2026, an overall prevalence of about 12.3%, according to Stats SA's Mid-year population estimates 2026, released on 30 July 2026. Among adults aged 15 to 49, an estimated 17.0% were HIV positive.

These are model-based estimates that combine surveys and programme data, and Stats SA revises the whole series each year. The 2026 Budget allocated R26 billion to provinces for the HIV/AIDS programme, including antiretroviral treatment, and asked provinces to repurpose some funds to cover the withdrawal of US PEPFAR funding.

Official sources: Stats SA: Mid-year population estimates 2026 (PDF) · National Treasury: 2026 Budget Speech (PDF)

What is the infant mortality rate in South Africa?

South Africa's infant mortality rate was estimated at 23.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2026, according to Stats SA's Mid-year population estimates 2026.

The infant mortality rate counts deaths of babies before their first birthday. It is a modelled estimate from Stats SA's population model rather than a count of registered deaths. Stats SA revises the full series back to 2002 with each release, so the 2026 figure should be compared with the revised earlier years in the same report, not with older releases.

Official sources: Stats SA: Mid-year population estimates 2026 (PDF)

How many South Africans have medical aid?

15.5% of South Africans, about 10.0 million people, were covered by a medical aid scheme in 2025, according to the Stats SA General Household Survey 2025. Coverage was highest in the Western Cape (25.9%) and Gauteng (22.1%) and lowest in Limpopo (8.2%) and KwaZulu-Natal (9.5%).

The share has changed little since 2002, when it was 15.9%, although the number of people covered has grown. People without medical aid mostly use public clinics and hospitals. The 2026 Budget allocated R21.3 billion over the medium term to employ doctors and cover shortfalls in the health sector.

Official sources: Stats SA: General Household Survey 2025 (PDF)

How long do people live in South Africa?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in South Africa was 66.3 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3 years; South Africa is 19th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 159th of 193.

How many babies die in South Africa?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in South Africa was 24.2 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 44th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 58th highest.

What is maternal mortality in South Africa?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in South Africa at 118 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 257 per 100,000, and South Africa placed 41st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 60th of 192.

What share of GDP does South Africa spend on health care?

In 2023, current health spending in South Africa was 8.9% of GDP, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 9.0% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 6.9% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and South Africa placed 7th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 45th highest.

How much do people in South Africa pay for health care themselves?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 6.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 11.3%; its low point was 2014, at 5.7%. It is 46th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 181st highest.

How many doctors does South Africa have?

In 2022, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in South Africa was 0.79 per 1,000, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2007. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and South Africa placed 3rd highest of 46. Worldwide: 75th of 125.

What is measles vaccine coverage in South Africa?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 76.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 87.0%; its low point was 2005, at 64.0%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and South Africa placed 27th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 153rd highest.