Life expectancy in South Africa

Life expectancy has increased dramatically with the introduction of effective HIV treatment, but the impact has varied in different parts of the world.

Life expectancy in rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, has increased dramatically with the roll out of antiretroviral (HIV) therapy.

The province has a high HIV prevalence (28%).

Investigators measured life expectancy at a population level between 2000 and 2011. Between 2000 and 2003, life expectancy fell from 59 to 52 years.

A programme rolling out antiretroviral therapy started in 2003. By 2011, average life expectancy had increased to 60 years.