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South Africa Life expectancy at birth 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Life expectancy at birth in South Africa stood at 66.31 years in 2024, according to World Bank. The latest value is up 0.3% from 66.14 years in 2023. Ten years earlier, in 2014, the value was 63.18 years (up 5% since). The latest value is the highest since 1960; the lowest was 52.58 years in 1960. South Africa ranked 183rd highest of the 217 countries in this dataset in 2024; Monaco ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Unit: years · Category: Demographics · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1960–2024

Key facts

What is the latest Life expectancy at birth in South Africa?

Life expectancy at birth in South Africa stood at 66.31 years in 2024, according to World Bank.

Is Life expectancy at birth in South Africa rising or falling?

The latest value is up 0.3% from 66.14 years in 2023. Ten years earlier, in 2014, the value was 63.18 years (up 5% since).

How does South Africa rank for Life expectancy at birth?

South Africa ranked 183rd highest of the 217 countries in this dataset in 2024; Monaco ranked first.

What is the highest Life expectancy at birth on record in South Africa?

The latest value is the highest since 1960; the lowest was 52.58 years in 1960.

Metadata for Life expectancy at birth in South Africa
IndicatorLife expectancy at birth
CountrySouth Africa
CategoryDemographics
Unityears
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Latest value: 66.31 years (2024)

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Source:World Bank — series SP.DYN.LE00.IN
License:CC BY 4.0
Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Life expectancy at birth — South Africa [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN

MLA

World Bank. "Life expectancy at birth — South Africa." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/ZAF. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Life expectancy at birth — South Africa." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/ZAF. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_life_expectancy_at_birth_zaf,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Life expectancy at birth --- South Africa}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/life-expectancy-at-birth/ZAF},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN}
}