IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The total number of registered births continues to drop. A total of 969 415 live births were registered at the Department of Home Affairs in 2016. This is a decline of 10,6% compared to 1 084 511 births that were registered in 2015. Of the 969 415 live births registered, 876 435 (90,4%) were current birth registrations and 92 980 (9,6%) were late registrations. Overall, there were slightly more male (491 109) than female (478 306) registered in 2016. For births which occurred in 2016, the sex ratio at birth was 102 males per 100 females. Birth occurrences were high in January followed by March and September respectively, and this has been the case from 2012 to 2016. The completeness of 2016 births registered was estimated at 89,2%.

The current registration of births were high among women aged 20-24 and 25-29 at 94,4% and 92.9% respectively. In addition, regarding the birth occurrence, women in ages of 25-29 years experienced higher birth occurrence (25,9%) than any other age groups followed by age 20-24 years (25,8%) then age 30-34 (21,1%) respectively.

Of the 969 415 total birth registrations in 2016, Gauteng (235 218) had the highest number of total birth registrations followed by KwaZulu-Natal (198 628) and Limpopo (122 890). Northern Cape had the lowest number accounting for 23 587 of all birth registrations. This is however reflective of the population distribution by province hence the most populated provinces were the ones with the highest number of birth registrations.

The births and deaths Amendment Act mandates that registration of births be within 30 days after birth occurrence. For the year 2016 in South Africa, a proportion of 84% births complied. Provincially, Free State and Northern Cape had the highest proportion of births registered within 30 days after occurrence at 93% and 91% respectively. The worst performing was KwaZulu-Natal with only 72% births registered within 30 days.

In general, the pattern of birth occurrences by month has been the same in recent years with the highest proportion of births occurring during the month of March. This suggests that birth occurrences were likely to be conceived during June or July. Detailed information on birth occurrences from 1994 to 2016 by month of birth and sex is provided on pages 35?42 of the full report.