🗺️ Life Expectancy in Southern Africa

The current average life expectancy for Southern Africa in 2024 is 66.1098 years of age. A 0.24% increase from 2023, when the average life expectancy was 65.9506 years, from birth to death. In the future, Southern Africa's average life expectancy is projected to increase to 77.2472 years of age, by the year 2100. A total increase of the average life expectancy for people living in Southern Africa by 16.85% from today's standard. This positive trend can be attributed to technological advancements, a better standard of living, and an icrease in healthcare availability.

Historic Life Expectancy in Southern Africa (1950-2024)

Between 1950 to 2024 the average life expectancy of people living in Southern Africa has increased from 43.2075 to 66.1098 years. That is an 53.01% increase that allow people of the country to live an extra 22.9023 years of life, on average.

How is life expectancy calculated?

Life expectancy represent the average number of years of life remaining in a group of people. The numbers above represent life expectancy of the population in Southern Africa, calculated from birth.

Future Life Expectancy in Southern Africa (2024-2100)

Southern Africa's average life expectancy is projected to increase in the future. By the year 2100, the country will have reached an average life expectancy of 77.2472 years of age. An 16.85% increase from today's standard.

Factors that Affect Life Expectancy

Just like any other region or country, Southern Africa's life expectancy is influenced by a variety of factors, that include both individual and population-level factors. Broadly speaking, life expectancy is most affected by fertility rate, deaths, immigration and emigration. Some of the individual and population-level factors listed below can get you a better insight into its causes and affects of life expectancy.

Healthcare and Medical Advances

Access to quality healthcare, advancements in medical technology, and improvements in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment play a significant role in increasing life expectancy. This includes vaccinations, antibiotics, surgical procedures, and the management of chronic conditions can greatly increase life expectancy of a country or region.

Socioeconomic Status

Income, education, and occupation are strongly correlated with life expectancy. Higher socioeconomic status typically provides individuals with better access to healthcare, healthier living conditions, and improved overall well-being, contributing to longer life expectancy of a country or region.

Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions can impact life expectancy. Access to clean air, water, and sanitation, as well as exposure to environmental pollutants and hazardous substances, can affect health outcomes and life expectancy.

Social Support and Relationships

Strong social connections, supportive relationships, and community engagement has also been linked to improved health outcomes and increased life expectancy. Social isolation and loneliness, on the other hand, can have negative effects on health and decrease life expectancy.

Access to and Quiality of Education

Education is associated with better health outcomes and increased life expectancy. It promotes healthier behaviors, improves health literacy, and provides individuals with opportunities for better employment and income.

Public Health Measures

Effective public health measures, such as disease surveillance, prevention programs, and health education campaigns, can have a significant impact on life expectancy by reducing the incidence and impact of infectious diseases, promoting healthy behaviors, and improving overall population health.

Immigration and Emigration

Life expectancy of a region or country is also affected by immigration of emigration. If healthier people immigrate or emigrate from a country, the life expectancy numbers of those two regions will be influenced by the movement of said people.

Causes of Positive Life Expectancy in Southern Africa

Causes of Negative Life Expectancy in Southern Africa

Data Information

Data found on this page is based on the medium fertility variant of the United Nations Revision of World Population Prospects 2024.

Data Published: 2024-07-11

Data Sources

The United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Population Division)

UN Revision of World Population Prospects 2024

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