This map shows the average household size in South Africa in 2023, in a multiscale map (Country, Province, District, Municipality, Main Place, Sub Place, and Small Area). Nationally, the average household size is 3.4 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.The pop-up is configured to show the following information at each geography level:Average household size (people per household)Total populationTotal householdsCount of population by 15-year age incrementsCount of population by marital statusThe source of this data is Michael Bauer Research. The vintage of the data is 2023. This item was last updated in October, 2023 and is updated every 12-18 months as new annual figures are offered.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsThis item is for visualization purposes only and cannot be exported or used in analysis.We would love to hear from you. If you have any feedback regarding this item or Esri Demographics, please let us know.Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

In 2022, South African households had an average disposable income of over ****** South African rand (approximately ***** U.S. dollars). This was slightly higher than the previous year where the average disposable income was ****** South African rand (around ***** U.S. dollars). Within the observed period, the disposable income of households in the country was highest in 2018 at ****** South African rand (about ***** U.S. dollars), while it was lowest in 2004.

This layer shows the average household size in South Africa in 2023, in a multiscale map (Country, Province, District, Municipality, Main Place, Sub Place, and Small Area). Nationally, the average household size is 3.4 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.The pop-up is configured to show the following information at each geography level:Average household size (people per household)Total populationTotal householdsCount of population by 15-year age incrementsCount of population by marital statusThe source of this data is Michael Bauer Research. The vintage of the data is 2023. This item was last updated in October, 2023 and is updated every 12-18 months as new annual figures are offered.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsThis item is for visualization purposes only and cannot be exported or used in analysis.We would love to hear from you. If you have any feedback regarding this item or Esri Demographics, please let us know.Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

This map shows the average household size in South Africa in 2018, in a multiscale map (Country, Province, District, Municipality, Main Place, Sub Place, and Small Area). Nationally, the average household size is 3.3 people per household. It is calculated by dividing the household population by total households.The pop-up is configured to show the following information at each geography level:Average household size (people per household)Total populationTotal householdsCount of population by 15-year age incrementsCount of population by marital statusThe source of this data is Michael Bauer Research. The vintage of the data is 2018.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsPermitted use of this data is covered in Section 4.0 DATA of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

As of 2022, 25.1 percent of South African households were classified as single person households. Households inhabiting six or more people amounted to 12.8 percent of South Africa's total population, being more common among rural areas (at 19.3 percent) compared to urban areas (at almost 10 percent).

As of 2022, households comprising two to three members were more common in urban areas, with just over 39 percent, than in rural areas, where 30.6 percent amounted to households of that size. Families inhabiting six or more people, however, amounted to 19.3 percent in rural areas, being roughly twice the amount of those in urban areas.

Abstract

The Income and Expenditure Survey is conducted every five years in South Africa.The main purpose of the survey is to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in different areas of the country. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage.

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The survey covered private dwellings, workers' hostels, residential hotels, and nurses' and doctors' quarters, but excluded hospitals and clinics, hotels and guest houses, prisons, schools and student hostels and old-age homes.

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame for the IES 2010/2011 was obtained from Statistics South Africa’s Master Sample (MS) based on the 2001 Population Census enumeration areas (EAs). The scope of the Master Sample (MS) is national coverage of all households in South Africa and the target population consists of all qualifying persons and households in the country. In summary, it has been designed to cover all households living in private dwelling units and workers living in workers’ quarters in the country. The IES 2010/2011 sample is based on an extended sample of 3 254 PSUs, which consists of the 3 080 PSUs in the Master Sample and a supplement of 174 urban PSUs selected from the PSU frame. The IES sample file contained 31 419 sampled dwelling units (DUs). The 31 419 sampled DUs consist of 31 007 DUs sampled from the 3 080 design PSUs in the Master Sample and 412 DUs from the supplemented 174 urban PSUs. In the case of multiple households at a sampled DU, all households in the DU were included.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

There were four modules in the household questionnaire with eighteen subsections. The first module collected general household data and data on household members. Modules 2 to 4 collected data on consumption expenditure, household finances and income. The diary was a booklet in which the respondent recorded weekly expenditure data. A household completed a different diary for each week of the survey period.

Response rate

From the 31 419 dwelling units sampled across South Africa, 33 420 households were identified. Out of these, there was a sample realisation of 27 665 (82,8%) households, with the remaining 5 755 (17,2%) households being classified as out of scope.

Data appraisal

All continous household income and expenditure data collected during the Income and Expenditure Survey 2010-2011 are contained in the Total IES data file. The household data file contains only categorical variables. For example, expenditure data on electricity collected with the questions in sub-section 5.7 of the questionnaire will be found in the "Total_IES" data file under the COICOP codes 04511010, 04511110, 04404500. This is explained under "Data Organisation" on page 6 of the metadata record for the IES 2010 2011, which documents how the data files are organised and the variables in each data file.

Key information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• South Africa Monthly Earnings stood at 1,547 USD in Aug 2024, compared with the previous figure of 1,470 USD in May 2024
• South Africa Monthly Earnings data is updated quarterly, available from Nov 2004 to Aug 2024, with an average number of 1,473 USD
• The data reached the an all-time high of 1,877 USD in Aug 2011 and a record low of 968 USD in Feb 2009

CEIC converts Monthly Earnings into USD. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal Average Monthly Earnings in local currency based on 2016 Business Sampling Frame. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Monthly Earnings exclude Agriculture sector. Monthly Earnings prior to Q2 2015 are based on 2013 Business Sampling Frame and prior to Q2 2013 are based on 2009 Business Sampling Frame. Monthly Earnings are in quarterly frequency, ending in February, May, August, November of each year.


Further information about South Africa Monthly Earnings

• In the latest reports, South Africa Population reached 61 million people in Jun 2022
• Unemployment Rate of South Africa dropped to 32 % in Sep 2024
• The country's Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 60 % in Sep 2024

As of 2022, the number of households in South Africa increased and amounted to approximately 18.48 million, roughly 530,000 more than in the previous year. Between 2002 and 2022, the number of families in South Africa grew by around 65 percent. Looking at the number of households from a regional perspective , the Gauteng province (includes the city of Johannesburg) has the bulk of households, with almost 5.6 million residences. Although Gauteng is the smallest region in the country, it is highly urbanized and houses most of the population.

Households headed by women

The number of households headed by women averaged around 42 percent. Rural areas such as the Eastern Cape and Limpopo had a higher proportion of women in charge of their family unit. Urbanized regions, namely Gauteng and the Western Cape, were more likely to be headed by men.

Languages spoken in households

The most spoken language within and outside of South African households was isiZulu, with around 25 percent of the population utilizing it. The English language was the second most common language spoken outside of households, with a share of roughly 17 percent. However, within households, individuals preferred to speak other official languages such as isiXhosa and Afrikaans. South Africa has a diverse range of cultures, and language plays a crucial role in preserving these cultures.

Household consumption, billion currency units in South Africa, March, 2025 The most recent value is 1184.78 billion South African Rand as of Q1 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 1275.07 billion South African Rand. Historically, the average for South Africa from Q1 1993 to Q1 2025 is 498.28 billion South African Rand. The minimum of 69.01 billion South African Rand was recorded in Q1 1993, while the maximum of 1275.07 billion South African Rand was reached in Q4 2024. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Key information about South Africa Household Debt: % of GDP

• South Africa household debt accounted for 40.7 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Sep 2024, compared with the ratio of 40.6 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa household debt to GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1969 to Sep 2024.
• The data reached an all-time high of 49.6 % in Sep 2007 and a record low of 25.0 % in Sep 1980.

CEIC calculates quarterly Household Debt as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Household Debt and quarterly Nominal GDP. Household Debt is calculated from Household Disposable Income and ratio of Household Debt to Household Disposable Income. South African Reserve Bank provides Household Debt in local currency. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about South Africa Household Debt: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, South Africa Household Debt reached 171.2 USD bn in Sep 2024.
• Money Supply M2 in South Africa increased 7.1 % YoY in Oct 2024.
• South Africa Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 45.0 USD bn in Oct 2024.
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 4.8 Months of Import in Oct 2024.
• South Africa Domestic Credit reached 319.5 USD bn in Oct 2024, representing an increased of 6.8 % YoY.
• The country's Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 5.3 % in Oct 2024, compared with the ratio of 5.2 % in the previous month.

Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted by Central Statistical Service (later Statistics South Africa) in October 1995 in order to determine the income and expenditure of households in South Africa. This survey shows the earnings and spendings of South African households and the pattern of household consumption. The survey covered the metropolitan, urban and rural areas of South Africa. The main purpose of the survey was to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in the different areas concerned. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index. The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country covered by the 1990 IES.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country previously referred to. By extending the sample to include the whole country, a clearer indication of the life circumstances of all South Africans in all parts of the country could be inferred.

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

Two surveys, namely the CSS’s annual October household survey (OHS) and the IES were run concurrently during October 1995. Information for the IES was obtained, as far as possible, from the same 30 000 households that were visited for the 1995 OHS. Altogether, 3 000 enumerator areas (EAs) were drawn for the sample, and ten households were visited in each EA. The sample was stratified by race, province, urban and non-urban area. The 1991 population census was used as a frame for drawing the sample, including estimates of the size of the population in the formerly independent TBVC (Transkei-Bophuthatswana-Venda-Ciskei) states. More details on the sampling frame and sampling procedure are given in the report on the 1995 OHS, Living in South Africa (CSS, 1996).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Abstract

The October Household Survey is an annual survey based on a probability sample of a large number of households (ranging from 16 000 in 1996 through to 30 000 in 1997 and 1998, depending on the availability of funding). It covers a range of development indicators, including unemployment rates (official and expanded), according to standard definitions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The survey covered households and household members in the nine provinces of South Africa

Kind of data

Survey data

Sampling procedure

A sample of 30 000 households was drawn in 3 000 enumerator areas (EAs) (that is 10 households per enumerator area). A two-stage sampling procedure was applied and the sample was stratified, clustered and selected to meet the requirements of probability sampling. The sample was based on the 1996 Population Census enumerator areas and the estimated number of households from the 1996 Population Census The sampled population excluded all prisoners in prisons, patients in hospitals, people residing in boarding houses and hotels (whether temporary or semi-permanent). The sample was explicitly stratified by province and area type (urban/rural). Within each explicit stratum the EAs were stratified by simply arranging them in geographical order by District Council, Magisterial District and, within the magisterial district, by average household income (for formal urban areas and hostels) or EA. The allocated number of EAs was systematically selected with probability proportional to size in each stratum. The measure of size was the estimated number of households in Each EA. A systematic sample of 10 households was drawn.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face

Research instrument

The data files in the October Household Survey 1999 correspond to the following sections in the questionnaire:

Person: Data from Section 1 and Section 4 Births: Data from Section 2 Children: Data from Section2 Worker: Data from Section 3 Migrant: Data from Section 5 House: Data from Section 6 Farming: Data from Section 7

Data appraisal

Researchers should note that the birth data in the OHS 1999 is not comparable with the birth data in OHS for the years 1994-1998 because the birth history question was phrased differently in 1999.

The question on birth history in the questionnaires for OHS 1996-1998 was: 2.1 How many children (live births) have you ever given birth to?

In the 1999 OHS questionnaire the question asked was: 2.1 How many children (live births) has …… given birth to in the last 12 months?

The 1999 data does not therefore include a full birth history, only births in the 12 months before the survey interview.

Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted by Central Statistical Service (later Statistics South Africa) in October 1995 in order to determine the income and expenditure of households in South Africa. This survey shows the earnings and spendings of South African households and the pattern of household consumption. The survey covered the metropolitan, urban and rural areas of South Africa. The main purpose of the survey was to determine the average expenditure patterns of households in the different areas concerned. This survey forms the basis for the determination of the "basket" of consumer goods and services used for the calculation of the Consumer Price Index.

Geographic coverage

The survey had national coverage

Analysis unit

Units of analysis in the survey includes households

Universe

The 1995 IES differed from previous household surveys of its kind in South Africa, since it was a countrywide survey covering metro, urban and rural areas, rather than a more limited sub-set of households in 12 major metro/urban areas of the country previously referred to. By extending the sample to include the whole country, a clearer indication of the life circumstances of all South Africans in all parts of the country could be inferred.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Two surveys, namely the CSS's annual October household survey (OHS) and the IES were run concurrently during October 1995. Information for the IES was obtained, as far as possible, from the same 30 000 households that were visited for the 1995 OHS. Altogether, 3 000 enumerator areas (EAs) were drawn for the sample, and ten households were visited in each EA. The sample was stratified by race, province, urban and non-urban area. The 1991 population census was used as a frame for drawing the sample, including estimates of the size of the population in the formerly independent TBVC (Transkei-Bophuthatswana-Venda-Ciskei) states.

More details on the sampling frame and sampling procedure are given in the report on the 1995 OHS, Living in South Africa (CSS, 1996).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

South Africa: Household consumption, billion USD: The latest value from 2023 is 245.16 billion U.S. dollars, a decline from 258.19 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 380.52 billion U.S. dollars, based on data from 146 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1960 to 2023 is 106.71 billion U.S. dollars. The minimum value, 5.28 billion U.S. dollars, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 288.36 billion U.S. dollars was recorded in 2011.

South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 25% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data was reported at 0.123 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.186 % for 2005. South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 25% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.265 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2010, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.505 % in 1995 and a record low of 0.123 % in 2010. South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 25% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Proportion of population spending more than 25% of household consumption or income on out-of-pocket health care expenditure, expressed as a percentage of a total population of a country; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on catastrophic health spending: results for 133 countries. A retrospective observational study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Weighted average;

As of 2019, approximately 3.7 million out of South Africa's 17.16 million households dealt with monthly expenditures ranging between 2,500 and 4,999 rand (Roughly 142 to 283 U.S. dollars). Another slightly above three million households stated that their monthly expenditures exceeded 10,000 rand or more.

Households Debt in South Africa increased to 62.50 percent of gross income in 2024 from 62.40 percent in 2023. This dataset provides - South Africa Households Debt To Income- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

South Africa ZA: GDP: Household Consumption Expenditure including NPISHs data was reported at 2,764,396.651 ZAR mn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,577,868.750 ZAR mn for 2016. South Africa ZA: GDP: Household Consumption Expenditure including NPISHs data is updated yearly, averaging 44,330.000 ZAR mn from Dec 1946 (Median) to 2017, with 72 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,764,396.651 ZAR mn in 2017 and a record low of 1,239.000 ZAR mn in 1946. South Africa ZA: GDP: Household Consumption Expenditure including NPISHs data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.IMF.IFS: Gross Domestic Product: by Expenditure: Annual.

South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data was reported at 1.406 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.746 % for 2005. South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data is updated yearly, averaging 2.888 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2010, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.972 % in 1995 and a record low of 1.406 % in 2010. South Africa ZA: Proportion of Population Spending More Than 10% of Household Consumption or Income on Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Poverty. Proportion of population spending more than 10% of household consumption or income on out-of-pocket health care expenditure, expressed as a percentage of a total population of a country; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on catastrophic health spending: results for 133 countries. A retrospective observational study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Weighted Average;