South Africa Life Expectancy

66.31 years +0.17 years

Dec 2024 · Annual

South Africa's life expectancy at birth rose to 66.312 years in 2024, up from 66.139 years in 2023. The figure marks a record high for the series, which dates back to 1960. The all-time low was 52.575 years in 1960.

South Africa Life Expectancy, 1990–2024
ActualPreviousHighestLowestDatesFrequency
66.31 years66.14 years66.31 yearsDec 202452.58 yearsDec 19601960 – 2024Annual

Related indicators

IndicatorLastPreviousHighestLowestLast updatedFrequency
Fertility Rate2.21 births per woman2.22 births per woman6.11 births per woman2.21 births per womanDec 2024Annual
Health Expenditure8.9%8.7%9.0%6.7%Dec 2023Annual

About this series

Life Expectancy in South Africa averaged 60.84 years from 1960 until 2024, reaching an all-time high of 66.31 years in Dec 2024 and a record low of 52.58 years in Dec 1960. The series is reported yearly with history from 1960.

Life expectancy at birth indicates the average number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of birth were to stay the same throughout the child's life. The indicator is measured in years and reported annually. The series spans from 1960 to 2024.

Source & methodology

We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.

FAQ

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