The report said a survey conducted during October 2005 showed that HIV infection rates were at a "similar level" to those of 2004: 30.2 percent versus 29.5 percent.

"(The) HIV prevalence estimate shows that HIV prevalence rates for 2004 and 2005 are very similar. The prevalence profile continues to confirm the expectation and projections of numerous groups whose models suggest that South Africa will begin to see a decline in the prevalence profile," the health department said in a statement.

Age estimates showed that the 20 to early 30 year age group continued to have the highest infection rates.

The rate of HIV prevalence amongst teenagers was "at a similar level" in 2005 (15.9 percent) as it was in 2004 (16.1 percent).

With respect to population projections, it is estimated that 18.8 percent of persons in the 15-49 year age group were infected with HIV.

"This is an estimated 4.9 million people who are in the age group 15 to 49 years. There is an estimated 235,060 children who are 14 years and younger living with HIV. The total population living with HIV is estimated at 5.54 million," the department said.

The inferences were drawn from the survey of 16,510 pregnant women at 399 state clinics and applied to the general population using a United Nations AIDS agency/World Health Organisation model.

The full report, named The Report on the National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-prevalence Survey in South Africa for 2005 was available on the department's website.

The HIV and syphilis prevalence survey has been conducted annually since 1990.

"The studies... have begun to show that intervention programmes, which emphasise prevention, have a very important role in moderating HIV prevalence and the epidemiology of HIV infections in general," the department said.

South Africa is often described as a country with one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world.

The United Nations has previously also estimated that up to 5.5 million South Africans were infected.

Government and civil society organisations, notably the Treatment Action Campaign are frequently at loggerheads over what should be done to fight the pandemic.

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