Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa
South Africa: Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy was 6.13 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa is 6.13 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 67.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa peaked at 6.13 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 6,228, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 1st of 143 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6,228 | — |
| 2001 | 13,329 | +114.0% |
| 2002 | 24,509 | +83.9% |
| 2003 | 38,429 | +56.8% |
| 2004 | 79,330 | +106.4% |
| 2005 | 167,261 | +110.8% |
| 2006 | 303,294 | +81.3% |
| 2007 | 493,512 | +62.7% |
| 2008 | 733,215 | +48.6% |
| 2009 | 1.04 million | +41.6% |
| 2010 | 1.42 million | +36.9% |
| 2011 | 1.92 million | +35.0% |
| 2012 | 2.42 million | +26.2% |
| 2013 | 2.83 million | +16.7% |
| 2014 | 3.23 million | +14.2% |
| 2015 | 3.66 million | +13.5% |
| 2016 | 4.14 million | +13.0% |
| 2017 | 4.61 million | +11.3% |
| 2018 | 5.00 million | +8.4% |
| 2019 | 5.32 million | +6.6% |
| 2020 | 5.57 million | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 5.76 million | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 5.93 million | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 6.07 million | +2.3% |
| 2024 | 6.08 million | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 6.13 million | +0.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6.13 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 16,542, 370.4× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6.13 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 85,682, 71.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 289,752 | 6,228 | 1.04 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.46 million | 1.42 million | 5.32 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.92 million | 5.57 million | 6.13 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 2 Mozambique 2.07 million compare
- 3 Tanzania, United Republic of 1.56 million compare
- 4 Nigeria 1.55 million 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 reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa?
- Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy in South Africa was 6.13 million in 2025, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.13 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,228 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 143 countries with data for 2025.
- Is reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Reported number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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