Health in Free State, South Africa: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Free State is estimated at 57.3 years for men and 64.2 years for women over 2021-2026, the shortest of the nine provinces; in 2001-2006 it was 43.1 and 48.2 years.
How many people in Free State have medical aid?
11.8% of people in Free State belonged to a medical aid scheme in 2025, 4th lowest of the nine provinces (South Africa: 15.5%); about 2.71 million people rely on public health services.
Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copyWhere do people in Free State go when they are sick?
74.8% of households in Free State normally go first to a public clinic or hospital when someone falls ill (68.1% to a public clinic), and 20.7% to a private doctor (South Africa: 73.2% public).
Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copyHow much does Free State spend on health?
The Free State health department spent R14.4 billion in 2025/26 (98.1% of its adjusted budget), about R5,295 for each resident without medical aid; 4th highest of the nine provinces.
Source: National Treasury · saved copyMore figures
- 9.2% of people in Free State described their health as only fair or poor in 2025 (South Africa: 6.3%). Source: Statistics South Africa · saved copy
How Free State compares with other provinces
Life expectancy at birth, average of men and women (2021-2026)
Free State ranks 9 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, average of men and women |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Limpopo | 66.3 years |
| 4 | Mpumalanga | 65.2 years |
| 5 | Eastern Cape | 64.5 years |
| 6 | North West | 62.9 years |
| 7 | Northern Cape | 62.9 years |
| 8 | KwaZulu-Natal | 62.4 years |
| 9 | Free State | 60.8 years |
People covered by a medical aid scheme (2025)
Free State ranks 6 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People covered by a medical aid scheme |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Northern Cape | 16.7% |
| 4 | North West | 13.1% |
| 5 | Mpumalanga | 12.6% |
| 6 | Free State | 11.8% |
| 7 | Eastern Cape | 9.9% |
| 8 | KwaZulu-Natal | 9.5% |
| 9 | Limpopo | 8.2% |
More on Free State: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · South Africa
Sources
- Statistics South Africa: General Household Survey 2025 (Statistical release P0318): Tables 2.2 and 14.1 and addendum tables by province (release as archived by DataFirst, UCT), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 69b5db681d83…)
- Statistics South Africa: Mid-year population estimates 2025 (Statistical release P0302): Tables 8 and 10, Figures 9, 11 and 12 (copy published by the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e25293a1d345…)
- National Treasury: Provincial budgets and expenditure, 4th quarter 2025/26 (Section 32 of the PFMA): statement of receipts and payments per province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 87389aabde0c…)
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