Category Archives: Population characteristics

Census 2022 shows South Africa’s population grew to 62 million

The latest Census results show that the South African population grew to 62 million in 2022. Gauteng remained the province with the highest population (15 million), while Northern Cape has the smallest population at 1,3 million. The Western Cape has moved from being the 5th-largest province in terms of population size in 1996 to being   read more »


SA’S elderly population increasing steadily.

SA’S elderly population increasing steadily.

In 2022 the estimated population of South Africa included more than five million people aged 60 or older. This represents a 9,2 percent share of the overall South African population. According to a report by Statistics South Africa titled Marginalised Groups Series VI: The Social Profile of Older Persons, 2017–2021, more than half (60,9%) of   read more »


Almost 1 million births in 2021 and the most popular baby name is ….

Almost 1 million births in 2021 and the most popular baby name is ….

According to the Recorded Live Births, 2021 report released by Statistics South Africa, almost 1 million births occurred in 2021 and the most popular baby names were Lethabo and Melokuhle for boys and girls respectively. Melokuhle, Lethabo and Lethokuhle were the most popular names amongst both baby girls and boys in South Africa in 2021.   read more »


THE WORLD AT 8 BILLION

THE WORLD AT 8 BILLION

The total population of the world is projected to reach 8 billion on the 15th of November 2022. As the world’s population grew, we have marked the birth of the next billionth person as a milestone and reflected on the progress humanity has made over time, as well as how to improve moving forward. Similarly,   read more »


Stats SA Media Communications

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                                           11 November 2022       The global population is set to reach 8 billion on 15 November 2022. The Statistician-General of South Africa, Mr Risenga Maluleke, and the Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Bannet Ndyanabangi, will jointly commemorate the World at 8 Billion at a media briefing to   read more »


60,6 million people in South Africa

60,6 million people in South Africa

The population of South Africa is estimated to be 60,6 million by the end of June 2022. Between 2002 and 2022 South Africa experienced a positive population growth year-on-year. A positive growth rate indicates that the population is increasing, despite the devastating impact of COVID-19 globally and within South Africa’s borders. By 2022, measures of   read more »


South Africa’s youth continues to bear the burden of unemployment.

South Africa’s youth continues to bear the burden of unemployment.

Youth in South Africa continue to be disadvantaged in the labour market with an unemployment rate higher than the national average. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15-24 and 42,1% for those aged 25-34 years, while the current official   read more »


Municipal dependence on national government financing

Municipal dependence on national government financing

What makes Stats SA’s Financial census of municipalities report so interesting is that it provides an idea of how financially dependent municipalities are on national government. The latest data show that the share of income that municipalities generate on their own has increased slightly since 2017, but there is more to this finding than meets   read more »


COVID-19 epidemic reduces life expectancy in 2021

COVID-19 epidemic reduces life expectancy in 2021

The population of South Africa was estimated to be 60,14 million at mid-year 2021, an increase of about 604 281 (1,01%) since mid-year 2020. The latest Mid-year population estimates, 2021 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), shows that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mortality and migration in the country since the start of the pandemic   read more »


Significant movements into the labour force in the 3rd quarter of 2020

Significant movements into the labour force in the 3rd quarter of 2020

In the 3rd quarter of 2020 there were significant movements in the South African labour market. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), a large number of persons moved from the “other not economically active” category to “employed” and “unemployed” status between quarter two and quarter three of 2020. The movement was proportionately more   read more »