January 28, 2012 - But for HIV/AIDS, the population of South Africa would be over 4.4 million more than
it is today. So says the South African Institute of Race Relations in its latest South
Africa Survey, published this week in Johannesburg.
Currently, there are 50.6 million people in the country. In the absence of AIDS, this
would have been 55.0 million. By 2040 the population would have been 77.5 million
without AIDS - 24.1 million more people than is projected.
The data shows that 31% of all deaths in 2011 were AIDS-related. By 2015, this
proportion will have risen to 33%. In 2025, there will be 121% more AIDS deaths
than there were in 2000. Also, the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in
2015 (6 million) will be double the number recorded in 2000 (3 million).
The Institute's analysis is based on data sourced from the Actuarial Society of South
Africa and the Institute for Futures Research (IFR).
According to the IFR, the HIV prevalence rate is higher among young African adults,
resulting in fewer people in this group reaching old age compared to other races.
Mr Thuthukani Ndebele, a researcher at the Institute, said that HIV/AIDS has
resulted in a significantly slower population growth rate, among other things.
'Not only does HIV/AIDS reduce life expectancy and increase mortality, but it is
largely responsible for wider social ills such as orphanhood and child-headed
households', Ndebele said.
ends
Source: Population_would_be_4.4million.pdf
Media Contact:
Thuthukani Ndebele
Tel: 011 482 7221
E-mail: thuthukani@sairr.org.za
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