HIV prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa
South Africa: HIV prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years was 17.2% in 2009. ◆ Volatile
HIV prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa, 1990–2009
Source: UNAIDS and the WHO's Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Measured in %; low estimate.
Analysis
In 2009, hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa stood at 17.2%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.6% on the previous year and up 20.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa peaked at 17.7% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 1990.
That places South Africa 4th out of 48 countries with data for 2009, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
HIV prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa, year by year
| Year | %; low estimate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.6% | — |
| 1991 | 1.0% | +66.7% |
| 1992 | 1.6% | +60.0% |
| 1993 | 2.6% | +62.5% |
| 1994 | 4.0% | +53.8% |
| 1995 | 5.8% | +45.0% |
| 1996 | 7.9% | +36.2% |
| 1997 | 10.2% | +29.1% |
| 1998 | 12.4% | +21.6% |
| 1999 | 14.3% | +15.3% |
| 2000 | 15.7% | +9.8% |
| 2001 | 16.7% | +6.4% |
| 2002 | 17.3% | +3.6% |
| 2003 | 17.6% | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 17.7% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 17.6% | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 17.5% | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 17.4% | -0.6% |
| 2008 | 17.3% | -0.6% |
| 2009 | 17.2% | -0.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 17.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3.9%, 4.5× the median. (6 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 17.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.5%, 6.9× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.0% | 0.6% | 14.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 17.2% | 15.7% | 17.7% | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa?
- Hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years in South Africa was 17.2% in 2009, according to UNAIDS and the WHO's Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic.
- What is the highest hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.7% in 2004.
- What is the lowest hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years?
- South Africa ranks 4th out of 48 countries with data for 2009.
- Is hiv prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNAIDS and the WHO's Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, published as part of HIV prevalence rate, adult 15-49 years (%; low estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of HIV refers to the percentage of people ages 15-49 who are infected with HIV based on a low estimate.