Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa
South Africa: Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on was 140,000 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Latest (2025)
140,000
Change on year
down 6.7%
World rank
2nd
of 92 countries
All-time high
380,000
in 2008
All-time low
140,000
in 2025
Years of data
26
2000–2025
Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa is 140,000, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is down 6.7% on the previous year and down 57.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa peaked at 380,000 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 140,000, in 2025.
South Africa ranks 2nd of 92 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 26 years of available data.
Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 220,000 | — |
| 2001 | 250,000 | +13.6% |
| 2002 | 280,000 | +12.0% |
| 2003 | 300,000 | +7.1% |
| 2004 | 330,000 | +10.0% |
| 2005 | 350,000 | +6.1% |
| 2006 | 360,000 | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 370,000 | +2.8% |
| 2008 | 380,000 | +2.7% |
| 2009 | 380,000 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 380,000 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 370,000 | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 370,000 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 360,000 | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 340,000 | -5.6% |
| 2015 | 330,000 | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 310,000 | -6.1% |
| 2017 | 300,000 | -3.2% |
| 2018 | 280,000 | -6.7% |
| 2019 | 250,000 | -10.7% |
| 2020 | 230,000 | -8.0% |
| 2021 | 210,000 | -8.7% |
| 2022 | 190,000 | -9.5% |
| 2023 | 170,000 | -10.5% |
| 2024 | 150,000 | -11.8% |
| 2025 | 140,000 | -6.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 140,000 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 695, 201.4× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 140,000 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 7,000, 20.0× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 322,000 | 220,000 | 380,000 | 10 |
| 2010s | 329,000 | 250,000 | 380,000 | 10 |
| 2020s | 181,667 | 140,000 | 230,000 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 1 Mozambique 160,000 compare
- 3 Nigeria 82,000 compare
- 4 Uganda 71,000 compare
- 4 Tanzania, United Republic of 71,000 compare
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa?
- Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on in South Africa was 140,000 in 2025, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 380,000 in 2008.
- What is the lowest estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 140,000 in 2025.
- How does South Africa rank for estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 92 countries with data for 2025.
- Is estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 57.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Estimated number of children needing antiretroviral therapy based on WHO methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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