Inequality in life expectancy in South Africa
South Africa: Inequality in life expectancy was 0.1983 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Inequality in life expectancy in South Africa, 2010–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for inequality in life expectancy in South Africa is 0.1983, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.1% on the previous year and down 8.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inequality in life expectancy in South Africa peaked at 0.2526 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.1694, in 2020.
That places South Africa 45th out of 195 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 14 years of available data.
Inequality in life expectancy in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.2526 | — |
| 2011 | 0.2193 | -13.2% |
| 2012 | 0.2173 | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 0.2175 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 0.2134 | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 0.2066 | -3.2% |
| 2016 | 0.1965 | -4.9% |
| 2017 | 0.1853 | -5.7% |
| 2018 | 0.1928 | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 0.1988 | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 0.1694 | -14.8% |
| 2021 | 0.1928 | +13.8% |
| 2022 | 0.209 | +8.4% |
| 2023 | 0.1983 | -5.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 0.21 | 0.1853 | 0.2526 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.1924 | 0.1694 | 0.209 | 4 |
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)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates 1,152 (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, annual growth rate 3.98 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per capita 0.0422 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, annual growth rate 4.28 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per capita 0.0267 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is inequality in life expectancy in South Africa?
- Inequality in life expectancy in South Africa was 0.1983 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest inequality in life expectancy recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.2526 in 2010.
- What is the lowest inequality in life expectancy recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1694 in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for inequality in life expectancy?
- South Africa ranks 45th out of 195 countries with data for 2023.
- Is inequality in life expectancy rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Inequality in life expectancy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 14 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).