IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS
Key findings: Report-03-10-07 - South Africa`s young children: their parents and home environment, 2012
This report presents statistics on young children aged below five years in South Africa in 2012. It highlights the profile of biological parents and the home environment in which children are raised by addressing questions on: who are the young children in South Africa; what are the characteristics of mothers and fathers who raise their biological children; and under what material and physical conditions do young children live.
There were 5,3 million children aged below five years in South Africa in 2012, representing about 10% of the population in the country. Overall, there were slightly more male than female children aged below five years and 85% of South African young children were black African.
While the majority (93%) of these children had both their biological parents alive, only 36% lived with both parents. A total of 38% of fathers lived with their young biological children compared to a total of 79% of mothers. The findings also show that of the 19% of children who lived with neither parent, 85% lived in households headed by their grandparents.
Mothers who lived with their biological children were mostly never married while the fathers were mostly legally married. Fathers who lived with their biological children were better positioned to improve the lives of their young children and their children lived in better conditions.
Approximately 60% of young children received the child support grant. The highest percentages of child support grant recipients were children of never married mothers and those who lived with neither parent (73% and 69% respectively).
About 36% of young children attended an Early Childhood Development Centre. Lowest attendance was observed for those who lived with their mothers only and those who lived with neither biological parent (31% and 39% respectively).
The living conditions of children show that nearly 30% of young children lived in households that used a pit latrine without ventilation, bucket system or where there were no sanitation facilities. Additionally, usage of solid fuels was highest in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.
Generally, young black African children and those from the coloured population group were perpetually disadvantaged in their family and home environments.
There were 5,3 million children aged below five years in South Africa in 2012, representing about 10% of the population in the country. Overall, there were slightly more male than female children aged below five years and 85% of South African young children were black African.
While the majority (93%) of these children had both their biological parents alive, only 36% lived with both parents. A total of 38% of fathers lived with their young biological children compared to a total of 79% of mothers. The findings also show that of the 19% of children who lived with neither parent, 85% lived in households headed by their grandparents.
Mothers who lived with their biological children were mostly never married while the fathers were mostly legally married. Fathers who lived with their biological children were better positioned to improve the lives of their young children and their children lived in better conditions.
Approximately 60% of young children received the child support grant. The highest percentages of child support grant recipients were children of never married mothers and those who lived with neither parent (73% and 69% respectively).
About 36% of young children attended an Early Childhood Development Centre. Lowest attendance was observed for those who lived with their mothers only and those who lived with neither biological parent (31% and 39% respectively).
The living conditions of children show that nearly 30% of young children lived in households that used a pit latrine without ventilation, bucket system or where there were no sanitation facilities. Additionally, usage of solid fuels was highest in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.
Generally, young black African children and those from the coloured population group were perpetually disadvantaged in their family and home environments.