![\"pop1\"](\"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/pop1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPopulation resilience post pandemics<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n According to the report, life expectancy at birth is now 66,5 years, a significant increase from the estimated 53,6 years in 2005.<\/p>\n In the South African context, the rise in life expectancy can be attributed to three key trends. Firstly, the expanded rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) over time has had a major impact on those living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). 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).<\/p>\n The second reason is that the uptake of vaccinations and treatments for COVID-19 infections has led to a significant decline in COVID-19 related deaths since July 2021.<\/p>\n Thirdly, the decrease in the infant mortality rate (IMR) from an estimated 57 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002 to 22,9 per 1,000 live births in 2024, has a direct impact on the improvement of Life expectancy at birth. These indices reflect improvements in the overall health and living conditions of the population<\/p>\n The Mid-Year Population Estimates (MYPE) provide critical demographic indicators of recovery, including death rates and growth rates.<\/p>\n The crude death rate (CDR), which measures the annual rate of deaths per 1,000 people, peaked at 11,1 in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2024, the CDR had significantly declined to 8,7, reflecting the positive impact of COVID-19 interventions. Similarly, the estimated annual population growth rate fell to 1,06% in 2020\u20132021 due to the surge in COVID-19 deaths and a drop in immigration. However, it rebounded to 1,33% by 2024.<\/p>\n The elderly growth rate dropped from 2,88% in 2019\u20132020 to 1,65% in 2020\u20132021 due to the pandemic but has since recovered to 2,11% in the 2021\u20132022 period.<\/p>\n According to the 2024 estimates, about 27,5% of the population is under 15 years old, while approximately 9,7% (6,1 million) are aged 60 years or older. Among those under 15, the majority reside in KwaZulu-Natal (21,4%) and Gauteng (21,3%). For the elderly, the highest percentage, 24,8% (1.52 million), live in Gauteng. Detailed population estimates by age, sex, and geography are essential for guiding economic and social investments to enhance the quality of life of all South Africans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more detailed information please download the full report here.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" South Africa’s population has now exceeded 63 million, according to the latest mid-year population estimates for 2024. The country’s population grew by approximately 835,513 individuals, marking a 1,33% increase from July 2023 to July 2024. The data reveals that over half of the population is female, totalling around 32 million people. Provincial population estimates indicate read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n