IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

1.  Overview

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

2.  Summary of the estimates
 
 Population
 
The results indicate that the population increased from 45,5 million in July 2002 to 47,9 million in July 2007.

 Education

The percentage of individuals attending an educational institution increased slightly from 32,6% to 33,7% between 2002 and 2007.

The percentage of children aged 0-4 years attending an educational institution increased from 7,6% in 2002 to 16,6% in 2007. The percentage of five year olds attending educational institutions increased from 40,1% in 2002 to 60,4% in 2007, whilst the percentage of learners in the 6 year age group increased from 70,0% to 87,7%.

The percentage of individuals with no education (aged 20 and above) decreased from 11,8% to 9,3% and those who completed Grade 12 (Matric/NSC) increased from 22,1% to 23,6%.

Among persons aged 7-24 years that were not attending an educational institution, lack 
of money for fees remains the most common reason for not attending.

 Health

During the month preceding the survey, 11,1% of individuals were ill or injured. In the general population, 79,7% of those who were ill or injured consulted a health worker.
 
More Individuals who used public sector health care facilities were satisfied with the service they received in 2007 (87,6%) than in 2006 (84,2%) and in 2002 (81,6%). In the private sector satisfaction levels increase slightly from 95,35% to 96,5% between 2002 and 2007. 

Medical Aid coverage is lowest amongst Black Africans, with only 7,4% of individuals covered, and best amongst the White population, with a 66,5% coverage.

 Labour Market Activities

The number of employed individuals increased from 11 145 000 in July 2002 to 12 720 000 in July 2007.
There has been a small increase during the same time period from 39,2% to 41,9% in the labour absorption rates.

In July 2007 the unemployment rate of 24,8% is 3,8% points lower than in July 2006 and 0,7% points lower than the unemployment rate measured with the LFS of March 2007.

Decline in the agricultural employment industry is accompanied by growth in the percentage of people within this sector that can be regarded as