While South Africa continues to carry a heavy burden, with nearly 7.8 million people living with HIV, the nation's journey is one of both profound challenge and remarkable progress in the fight against the epidemic.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, approximately 7.8 million people were living with HIV in South Africa, representing 12.7% of the total population
- HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-49 years in South Africa stood at 19.3% in 2022
- The HIV incidence rate in South Africa was estimated at 1.2% among adults aged 15-49 in 2022
- Among South African women aged 15-24, HIV prevalence was 9.4% in 2022
- Men aged 25-49 had an HIV prevalence of 17.2% in 2021
- HIV prevalence among black Africans was 21.5% in adults 15-49, 2022
- In 2022, 5.6 million people were on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa
- ART coverage among adults 15+ was 78% in 2022
- 84% of diagnosed PLHIV on ART in 2021
- 65% of adults tested for HIV in last 12 months in 2022
- Antenatal HIV testing coverage 95% in public clinics 2021
- Home-based HIV testing reached 15% of population in 2022
- Condom distribution reached 1.2 billion units annually in 2022
- Male circumcision coverage 62% among men 15-49 in 2021
- PrEP users numbered 240,000 mostly young women in 2022
South Africa's HIV epidemic remains severe but shows signs of progress.
Demographic Statistics
- Among South African women aged 15-24, HIV prevalence was 9.4% in 2022
- Men aged 25-49 had an HIV prevalence of 17.2% in 2021
- HIV prevalence among black Africans was 21.5% in adults 15-49, 2022
- Coloured population HIV prevalence was 12.8% in 2021
- Indian/Asian group had 2.1% HIV prevalence in 2022
- White population HIV prevalence was 0.7% in adults 2021
- Females aged 30-34 had 36.5% HIV prevalence in 2022
- Males aged 30-34 HIV prevalence was 22.4% in 2021
- Adolescents girls 15-19 prevalence at 4.7% vs 1.2% boys in 2022
- HIV prevalence in rural women was 22.1% aged 15-49, 2021
- Urban men HIV prevalence 14.3% in 2022
- Sex workers HIV prevalence 64.2% in urban areas 2021
- MSM HIV prevalence estimated at 26.8% in 2022
- People who inject drugs HIV rate 3.8% in 2021
- Truck drivers HIV prevalence 29.1% in 2022
- Mine workers HIV prevalence 24.7% in Gauteng 2021
- Pregnant women HIV prevalence varied from 15-35% by province in 2022
- Children 0-14 HIV prevalence 1.2% nationally 2021
- Elderly 50+ HIV prevalence 10.5% in women 2022
- Youth 20-24 males HIV at 3.9%, females 12.6% in 2021
- Low-income household HIV prevalence 23.4% 2022
- High-income HIV prevalence 8.7% in adults 2021
- Unemployed adults HIV rate 22.1% vs 15.3% employed 2022
- Tertiary education holders HIV 9.2% prevalence 2021
- No education HIV prevalence 28.4% in adults 2022
- 72% of PLHIV adults on ART in South Africa in 2022
- Viral suppression among those on ART reached 91% in 2021
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
This sobering mosaic of South Africa's HIV crisis reveals a story where inequality and infection are tragically intertwined, with vulnerability mapping almost perfectly onto the fault lines of race, gender, poverty, and geography.
Prevalence and Incidence
- In 2022, approximately 7.8 million people were living with HIV in South Africa, representing 12.7% of the total population
- HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-49 years in South Africa stood at 19.3% in 2022
- The HIV incidence rate in South Africa was estimated at 1.2% among adults aged 15-49 in 2022
- In 2021, Gauteng province had the highest HIV prevalence at 22.4% among adults 15-49
- KwaZulu-Natal recorded an HIV prevalence of 25.7% in adults aged 15-49 in 2022
- Eastern Cape's adult HIV prevalence was 18.9% in 2021
- HIV new infections in South Africa totaled 150,000 in 2022
- The national HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics was 26.9% in 2022
- In 2020, Free State province had 20.8% HIV prevalence in adults 15-49
- Limpopo province showed 17.6% HIV prevalence among adults in 2021
- Northern Cape's HIV prevalence was 15.3% in 2022 for adults 15-49
- North West province HIV prevalence reached 21.1% in 2021
- Mpumalanga had 24.5% adult HIV prevalence in 2022
- Western Cape's HIV prevalence was 14.7% among adults in 2021
- Overall HIV burden in South Africa accounted for 13% of global PLHIV in 2022
- HIV prevalence in urban areas of South Africa was 20.1% in 2021
- Rural HIV prevalence stood at 18.4% in 2022
- Peri-urban areas had 19.7% HIV prevalence in adults 2021
- Annual HIV incidence declined by 42% from 2010 to 2022 in South Africa
- In 2022, 270,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in South Africa
- HIV prevalence among females aged 15-49 was 25.8% in 2022
- Male adult HIV prevalence was 13.5% in 2021
- Youth aged 15-24 HIV prevalence was 5.2% nationally in 2022
- Children under 15 living with HIV numbered 240,000 in 2022
- HIV incidence among adolescents 15-19 was 1.8% in 2021
- In 2022, 92% of PLHIV in South Africa knew their status
- Gauteng contributed 18% of national HIV cases in 2021
- KwaZulu-Natal had 30% of South Africa's PLHIV in 2022
- Eastern Cape accounted for 12% of HIV prevalence burden in 2021
- HIV prevalence in key populations like sex workers was 59% in 2022
Prevalence and Incidence Interpretation
South Africa's battle with HIV is a grim tapestry woven from heartbreaking contradictions, where historic progress in treatment and awareness is starkly overshadowed by a persistent and devastating epidemic that still preys most cruelly on women, the young, and entire provinces.
Prevention and Behavioral
- Condom distribution reached 1.2 billion units annually in 2022
- Male circumcision coverage 62% among men 15-49 in 2021
- PrEP users numbered 240,000 mostly young women in 2022
- Contraceptive use among HIV+ women 55% dual method 2021
- Comprehensive sex education reached 80% of schools in 2022
- Multiple partners prevalence 15% among youth 15-24 2021
- Consistent condom use 65% with casual partners 2022
- Age-disparate relationships 20% girls 15-19 with men 10+ years older 2021
- Transactional sex reported by 10% women 2022
- Needle syringe programs distributed 5 million in 2021
- HIV knowledge score 85% among adults in 2022 surveys
- Stigma index showed 25% discrimination experiences 2021
- DREAMS program reached 1.5 million AGYW in 2022
- VMMC adverse events rate 0.5% in 1 million procedures 2021
- Post-exposure prophylaxis provided to 50,000 annually 2022
- Behavior change communication campaigns reached 70% population 2021
- Alcohol use before sex 40% among high-risk groups 2022
- Family planning integration HIV services 90% clinics 2021
- Social protection grants reduced risky behavior by 15% 2022
- Key population programs covered 80% sex workers 2021
- Intergenerational sex declined 30% post-DREAMS 2022
- Condom awareness 98% but use gaps persist 2021
- PrEP adherence 75% among initiators in first year 2022
- Harm reduction for PWID reached 40% coverage 2021
- Community dialogues on HIV reduced stigma 20% 2022
Prevention and Behavioral Interpretation
South Africa’s battle against HIV is a masterclass in scaling up impressive tools while still wrestling with the stubborn human behaviors that keep the epidemic alive.
Testing and Diagnosis
- 65% of adults tested for HIV in last 12 months in 2022
- Antenatal HIV testing coverage 95% in public clinics 2021
- Home-based HIV testing reached 15% of population in 2022
- Self-testing kits distributed 5 million units by 2022
- Index testing identified 20% of new diagnoses in 2021
- Partner notification services led to 150,000 tests in 2022
- HIV testing services in schools covered 40% of learners 2021
- Mobile clinic testing tested 2 million people in 2022
- Key population testing coverage 75% for sex workers 2021
- MSM testing frequency every 3 months reached 60% in 2022
- 82% of pregnant women tested at first visit in 2021
- Youth-friendly testing services used by 55% of 15-24s 2022
- HIV testing yield in general population 2.1% positivity 2021
- Recency testing implemented for 10% of new positives 2022
- TB screening with HIV test co-coverage 85% in 2021
- Workplace HIV testing programs covered 30% employees 2022
- Community-led testing initiatives tested 1 million in 2021
- Digital HIV testing reminders increased uptake by 25% 2022
- First 95 target achievement 92% knew status in 2021
- KwaZulu-Natal testing coverage 70% adults in 2022
- Gauteng HIV test positivity 3.5% in 2021 surveys
- Rural testing access improved to 60% coverage 2022
Testing and Diagnosis Interpretation
South Africa’s HIV testing strategy, much like a determined host ensuring no guest is left off the party list, is employing clinics, homes, schools, and even phones to chase down the first 95 with impressive—and creatively diverse—reach, though some stubborn gaps in the provinces and key groups remind us the dance is far from over.
Treatment and Care
- In 2022, 5.6 million people were on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa
- ART coverage among adults 15+ was 78% in 2022
- 84% of diagnosed PLHIV on ART in 2021
- Children on ART coverage 67% under age 15 in 2022
- Pregnant women living with HIV on ART 97% in 2021
- TB/HIV co-infection treatment coverage 75% in 2022
- Dolutegravir-based regimens used by 85% of adults on ART 2021
- Viral load suppression rate 92% among women on ART 2022
- Men on ART coverage lagged at 70% vs 82% women in 2021
- 1.2 million PLHIV not on ART in 2022
- PMTCT ART coverage 96% first-line in 2021
- Differentiated service delivery models reached 40% of stable patients 2022
- Community ART groups served 500,000 patients in 2021
- Adherence clubs managed 300,000 PLHIV in 2022
- 95-95-95 targets met at 92-78-91% in 2022
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiations reached 250,000 by 2022
- Treatment initiation within 7 days of diagnosis 65% in 2021
- Retention on ART at 12 months 81% in 2022
- 88% of children diagnosed on ART in 2021
- KwaZulu-Natal ART coverage 82% of PLHIV in 2022
- Gauteng viral suppression 93% among treated 2021
- Western Cape ART coverage 85% in 2022
- Multi-month dispensing for stable patients 70% in 2021
- HIV viral load testing coverage 89% of those on ART 2022
Treatment and Care Interpretation
South Africa's HIV response is a tale of two epidemics: while impressive strides in treatment and prevention are being made, stubborn gaps—particularly among men and children—remind us that the final mile is often the hardest run.
Sources & References
- Reference 1UNAIDSunaids.orgVisit source
- Reference 2AIDSINFOaidsinfo.unaids.orgVisit source
- Reference 3THELANCETthelancet.comVisit source
- Reference 4HSRChsrc.ac.zaVisit source
- Reference 5NICDnicd.ac.zaVisit source
- Reference 6STATSSAstatssa.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 7WESTERNCAPEwesterncape.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 8WHOwho.intVisit source