Key facts

Population: 48.6 million (World Bank 2008).
Average life expectancy: 50 years (World Bank 2007). UK: 79 years.
Average per capita income: US$9780 (purchasing power parity (PPP) rate) (World Bank 2007). UK: US$33,800 (PPP rate) (WDI, 2007).
Gross national income (GNI): US$283 billion (World Bank 2008).
Average annual growth rate: 3% (World Bank 2008).
Percentage of people not meeting daily food needs: Not avaliable.
Women dying in childbirth: 400 per 100,000 (UN MDG Indicators 2005). UK: 11 per 100,000 (WHO 2005).
Children dying before age 5: 59 per 1,000 (World Bank 2008). UK: 6 per 1,000 (WHO).
Percentage of children receiving primary school education: 91% (UNESCO 2005). UK: 100% (UNESCO 1999-2004).
Percentage of people aged 15-49 living with HIV/AIDS: 18.1% (UNAIDS 2008). UK: 0.11% (UNAIDS/WHO 2004).
Percentage of people with access to safe, clean water: 93% (UNDP, 2006). UK: 100% (WHO/Unicef).
Total UK aid received in 2008/09: £78.m (Source: Statistics for International Development 2009)

Progress towards Millennium Development Goals

South Africa has made good progress on a number of Millennium Development Goals indicators (MDGs) including measles immunisation, skilled birth attendance and access to improved water sources. However for other indicators, such as primary school enrolment and child mortality, although performing better than the Sub-Saharan Africa average there has been slippage in recent years.
South Africa recognises the challenge to ensure MDGs are achieved at home and in other African countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where progress is falling behind. Because of its relative wealth and expertise, South Africa plays a critical role in Africa’s development.

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
In 2000, 26% of South African’s were living below the international poverty line. This is amongst the lowest rates for those Sub-Saharan African countries in which data is available.

MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education
In 2004, 93% of primary school aged children were enrolled in primary education, down slightly from 96% in 2000 but above the SSA average of 71% (2006). Over the same period, the primary completion rate increased from 90% to around 100%.

MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Between 2000 and 2004, gender equality in primary education was broadly equal, with slightly more boys than girls attending primary school, but above the national average.

In secondary education, there are slightly more girls than boys in school, but it has moved closer to parity in the same time period.

The percentage of seats held by women in the national parliament increased from 30% in 2000 to 33% in 2007.

MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
Between 2000 and 2006, deaths of children under five increased from 63 per 1,000 live births to 69, compared to a SSA average of 157 per 1,000 live births in 2006. Over the same period, measles immunisation of 1 year olds increased from 77% to 85%.

MDG 5: Improve maternal health
Maternal mortality was estimated to be 400 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005. Although this ratio is amongst the lowest in SSA it is still viewed as high when considered globally (UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA define low maternal mortality as a ration of less than 100 deaths per 100,000 live births). In SSA, there were estimated to be 900 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005.

The attendance of skilled health personnel can help to prevent maternal deaths and, in South Africa between 1995 and 2003, the percentage of births attended by skilled health staff increased from 83% to 92%.

MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
The prevalence rate of HIV among 15-49 year olds showed a small increase from 17% to 18% between 2001 and 2007. This is above the SSA average of 5% in 2007.

MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
The proportion of the population with access to safe drinking water increased from 83% to 93% between 1995 and 2006. Progress has been slower on access to improved sanitation which increased from 56% of the population in 1995 to 59% in 2006. Both percentages are above the SSA averages of 58% (water) and 31% (sanitation) in 2006.

Bookmark with:

What are Bookmarks?