Number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in South Africa
South Africa: Number of deaths from HIV/AIDS was 45,007 deaths in 2021. ▼ Falling
Number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in South Africa, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of deaths from hiv/aids in South Africa is 45,007 deaths, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.9% on the previous year and down 61.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of deaths from hiv/aids in South Africa peaked at 221,741 deaths in 2004 and was at its lowest, 45,007 deaths, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 2nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 142,672 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 162,010 deaths | +13.6% |
| 2002 | 188,500 deaths | +16.4% |
| 2003 | 201,570 deaths | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 221,741 deaths | +10.0% |
| 2005 | 219,535 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 215,446 deaths | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 197,980 deaths | -8.1% |
| 2008 | 179,913 deaths | -9.1% |
| 2009 | 165,324 deaths | -8.1% |
| 2010 | 146,154 deaths | -11.6% |
| 2011 | 117,304 deaths | -19.7% |
| 2012 | 101,220 deaths | -13.7% |
| 2013 | 86,497 deaths | -14.5% |
| 2014 | 76,680 deaths | -11.3% |
| 2015 | 71,984 deaths | -6.1% |
| 2016 | 68,363 deaths | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 61,283 deaths | -10.4% |
| 2018 | 54,980 deaths | -10.3% |
| 2019 | 50,701 deaths | -7.8% |
| 2020 | 47,348 deaths | -6.6% |
| 2021 | 45,007 deaths | -4.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 189,469 deaths | 142,672 deaths | 221,741 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 83,516 deaths | 50,701 deaths | 146,154 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 46,177 deaths | 45,007 deaths | 47,348 deaths | 2 |
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)
- Population ages 15-19, male, annual growth rate 1.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-19, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-19, male, per capita 0.0422 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, annual growth rate 0.5965 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 20-24, female, per capita 0.0391 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of deaths from hiv/aids in South Africa?
- Number of deaths from hiv/aids in South Africa was 45,007 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of deaths from hiv/aids recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 221,741 deaths in 2004.
- What is the lowest number of deaths from hiv/aids recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 45,007 deaths in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for number of deaths from hiv/aids?
- South Africa ranks 2nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of deaths from hiv/aids rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 61.6%. 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 (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of deaths from HIV/AIDS. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in both sexes.