In 2024, South Africa marks 30 years of democracy—a milestone that coincides with the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994. This dual commemoration underscores the transformative power of inclusive data to shape equitable futures, the theme of this year’s World Population Day which was held on the 11th of July 2024.

For Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), it is a moment to reflect on three decades of data-driven insights into the nation’s demographic, social, and economic evolution. In light of this, Stats SA has released a report titled, “World Population Day in the Context of 30 Years of Democracy from a Statistical Perspective, 2024”. From tracking fertility and migration trends to the seismic impacts of HIV and COVID-19, the report showcases how robust statistical systems have become vital tools for policy-making in a rapidly changing society, while charting a course toward new opportunities in data innovation.
This report provides a thematic analysis of South Africa’s evolving demographics, offering a comprehensive view of the country’s health, population dynamics, and socio-economic trends over time. By examining these indicators, it sheds light on South Africa’s past, present, and potential future from a demographic perspective.

South Africa’s population reflects a country in the latter stages of demographic transition, a pattern common among developing nations. Growth is primarily driven by fertility, with the current total fertility rate at approximately 2,41 children per woman of reproductive age (15–49). While this rate has steadily declined over time, the number of annual births has remained consistent at around 1,1 million.

Mortality trends in South Africa have been shaped by two major pandemics in the past 25 years: HIV and COVID-19. Both significantly impacted life expectancy, which dropped during the peaks of these crises but has since shown notable recovery. Between 2011 and 2019, South Africa averaged about 500,000 deaths annually. This increased to 550,000 in 2020 and almost 700,000 in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The country has seen a recovery from both the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Immigration in South Africa has grown significantly over the past decades, rising from 2,1% of the population in 1996 to 3,9% in 2022. Most immigrants are young males between the ages of 20 and 40, with 83,7% coming from countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

However, internal migration within South Africa has a more pronounced impact on population dynamics. Provinces like Gauteng and  Western Cape continue to draw large numbers of people, driven by economic opportunities and access to better education.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa’s population grew at an annual rate of 1,4% to 1,5%. This dropped to around 1% during the pandemic but is gradually returning to previous levels, aligning with typical growth rates for developing nations.

Stats SA remains committed to tracking and monitoring population trends to ensure policies and interventions are informed, people-centered, and responsive to the nation’s evolving demographics. This report offers a statistical reflection on 30 years of democracy, aligning with the 2024 World Population Day theme and marking three decades since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which shaped national population policies.

The report highlights results from the first Post-Censal Mid-Year Population Estimates and reviews key demographic indicators. It also examines progress in South Africa’s statistical systems over the past 25–30 years, emphasising how these advancements have supported population insights and exploring future opportunities in data production.

Key demographic issues in South Africa are covered, focusing on population and health dynamics such as fertility, mortality, adolescent births, maternal health, and neonatal outcomes. It highlights the completeness of birth and death registrations, offering insights into reproductive health trends. Migration and mobility are also analysed, covering migrant stock, country of birth, labour migration, remittances, and internal movements that influence the country’s demographic landscape.

Socio-economic trends, including employment, education, marriage, language, and disability, are explored to reveal the broader societal implications of demographic patterns. Insights into the demographic dividend and the evolution of South Africa’s data infrastructure provide a comprehensive view of the nation’s demographic transformation.

For more information,  you can download the full report here.