South Africa
Country profile
The people
Total population: 45 million
Major languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu
Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
Literacy rate: 82%
Life expectancy at birth: male - 48; female - 50
The country
Capital: Pretoria
Area: 1.22 million sq. km (470,693 sq. miles)
Main exports: Gold, diamonds, metals and minerals, cars, machinery
GNI per capita: US$3,630 compared to $33,630 in the UK (World Bank, 2005)
HIV/AIDS situation
>> Adults and children living with HIV: 5.5 million
>> Women living with HIV: 3.1 million
>> AIDS-related deaths: 320,000
>> Number of orphans (0-17 years) due to AIDS: 1.2 million
>> Estimated HIV prevalence rate: 19%
>> HIV-infected South Africans on antiretrovirals: 21%
In South Africa the epidemic has evolved at an astonishing speed. National adult prevalence of less than 1% in 1990 soared to almost 25% within 10 years. By the end of 2003, an estimated 5.3 million South Africans were infected with HIV, the largest number of individuals living with the virus in a single country.
South Africa marked ten years of democratic rule in 2004 and the Government recognises the fight against HIV and AIDS as one of the major challenges for the next decade. However, many people would argue that President Mbeki and his government have not taken the issue seriously enough.
HIV prevalence among pregnant women has reached its highest levels to date – 30% of women attending antenatal clinics tested HIV-positive in 2004. However, over the past four consecutive years, the rate of HIV infection among young people below the age of 20 has remained stable.
Source: UNAIDS