Press release: Statistics South Africa
The population of South Africa is estimated to be 60,6 million by the end of June 2022. Between 2002 and 2022 South Africa experienced a positive population growth year-on-year. A positive growth rate indicates that the population is increasing, despite the devastating impact of COVID-19 globally and within South Africa’s borders.
By 2022, measures of mortality indicate an improvement in Life expectancy at birth moving from 61,7 years in 2021 to 62,8 years in 2022. As the nation grappled with the pandemic, it brought attention not only to the importance of health care and other social services required by people, but also to the age profile of the population and the vulnerability of key populations in the country.
The elderly population, who are more vulnerable to having comorbidities, are more likely to experience the devastating effects of COVID-19. The vast number of deaths within this age group occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drastic decline in the growth rate (1,47%) of the elderly population. By 20 June 2021, South Africa fast-tracked their COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure healthcare workers and people aged 60 years and above were vaccinated. The impact of such a health intervention not only saved the lives of those age 60 and older but also those transitioning into the elderly age group, resulting in an increased rate of growth among the elderly population (2,11%) by 2022.
This is not the first pandemic that South Africa has had to endure. South Africa has paid a large price demographically due to the AIDS pandemic. In conjunction with losing economically active adults due to HIV/ AIDS deaths, which impacted negatively on the demographic dividend, infant and child mortality reduced overall life expectancy in the country for a number of years. Whilst the age profile of the COVID-19 pandemic was vastly different, South Africa is yet to unpack the impact of the increased morbidity, mortality and change in migratory patterns over the last 2 years.
For more information, download the full report on at www.statssa.gov.za
