Despite the absence of explicit racial discrimination in health legislation during the apartheid era, the provision of medical care in South Africa was deeply influenced by the prevailing socio-economic disparities and the institutionalized segregation of the time. This resulted in a disproportionate allocation of government health resources. Although the segregation of hospitals has ceased, access to healthcare services remains significantly limited in areas with predominantly Black populations. The overall health of these communities is concerning, with malnutrition being a particularly acute issue, especially among children in rural regions. Stark disparities are evident in infant mortality rates, with the highest rates observed in rural Black communities and the lowest among the white population.

Since the democratic transition in 1994, the Department of National Health and the new provincial administrations have prioritized the enhancement of primary healthcare services, building upon initiatives established by visionary healthcare professionals during the apartheid era.

The HIV epidemic saw a dramatic increase in South Africa during the 1990s, disproportionately affecting Black South Africans. By the turn of the century, the country had one of the highest HIV infection rates according to United Nations data. In response, the nation launched a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy in 2010, focusing on prevention, widespread testing, and treatment.

Urban centers in South Africa boast an advanced public health infrastructure, with major public hospitals often affiliated with university medical schools. However, facilities in areas formerly designated for Black populations are typically overburdened. Access to high-quality private hospitals is largely restricted to those with substantial incomes, a demographic still predominantly white. While many employed individuals benefit from private medical insurance, the high rate of unemployment among Black adults results in racially imbalanced access to such insurance benefits.

The government administers several social welfare programs, including modest pensions for senior citizens with limited incomes. This support provides a basic means of subsistence for many elderly Black individuals and their families. Historically, welfare benefits were distributed unequally across racial lines, with whites receiving the highest pensions. However, these disparities began to diminish in the late 1980s and were formally abolished with the adoption of the 1996 constitution.

Two critical factors impacting social conditions in South Africa are the high unemployment rate among Black citizens and the significant income gap between Black and white populations. Early 21st-century estimates indicated that Black unemployment exceeded that of groups previously classified as Indian and Coloured under apartheid, and was markedly higher than the rate among whites. Black workers were often relegated to the lowest-paid and least prestigious jobs. This situation reflects both the demographic makeup of South Africa, with its substantial migrant workforce, and the size of the informal economy. Although there have been wage improvements for miners and industrial workers since the 1970s, these have not extended to the nonunionized or underemployed sectors. Conversely, since the 1990s, there has been a notable increase in employment opportunities for Black, Indian, and Coloured individuals in government, professional fields, and business, with a gradual rise in representation at midlevel positions.