Life expectancy in South Africa is falling

Non-communicable diseases, also known as lifestyle diseases, are bringing South Africa’s life expectancy down.

Life expectancy rates dropped to 66.55 years in 2023, compared to 67.73 years in 1990, per The Lancet’s Global Burden of Diseases study.

Global life expectancy saw an increase to 73.84 years in 2023 from 64.64 years in 1990.

Dietician Cherie Fortuin says the drop in South Africa is due to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.

This is mainly due to increased consumption of highly processed, high-sugar, high-fat foods, and limited access to healthy options in lower-income areas and sedentary living.

Stress, poor sleep, and feeling burnt out are also major contributors.

Fortuin recommends making more conscious decisions when grocery shopping.

“Make simple changes like decreasing your sugar intake, those highly processed meals, watching your salt intake, and the salt that is hidden in most products on our shelves,” she says.

She also recommends opting for whole foods, increasing your fibre intake, and reducing how much fried food you consume.

To listen to Fortuin in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk’s Africa Melane, click below: