As of 2023, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 62.3 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority inhabited Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western-Eastern Cape. Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province in South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of over 16 million people according to the estimates. Cape Town, on the other hand, is the largest city in South Africa with nearly 3.43 million inhabitants in the same year, whereas Durban counted 3.12 million citizens. However, looking at cities including municipalities, Johannesburg ranks first. High rate of young population South Africa has a substantial population of young people. In 2024, approximately 34.3 percent of the people were aged 19 years or younger. Those aged 60 or older, on the other hand, made-up over 10 percent of the total population. Distributing South African citizens by marital status, approximately half of the males and females were classified as single in 2021. Furthermore, 29.1 percent of the men were registered as married, whereas nearly 27 percent of the women walked down the aisle. Youth unemployment Youth unemployment fluctuated heavily between 2003 and 2022. In 2003, the unemployment rate stood at 36 percent, followed by a significant increase to 45.5 percent in 2010. However, it fluctuated again and as of 2022, over 51 percent of the youth were registered as unemployed. Furthermore, based on a survey conducted on the worries of South Africans, some 64 percent reported being worried about employment and the job market situation.
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South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: KwaZulu Natal data was reported at 7,028.656 Person th in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,001.585 Person th for Jun 2018. South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: KwaZulu Natal data is updated quarterly, averaging 6,502.360 Person th from Mar 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,028.656 Person th in Sep 2018 and a record low of 5,992.894 Person th in Mar 2008. South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: KwaZulu Natal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G001: Population.
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South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: 5 to 9 Years data was reported at 1,248,536.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,194,104.534 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: 5 to 9 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,132,631.423 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,248,536.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 1,043,331.850 Person in 2008. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: 5 to 9 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G004: Population: Mid Year: by Province, Age and Sex.
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South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: Male: 70 to 74 Years data was reported at 61,262.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 52,948.043 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: Male: 70 to 74 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 45,266.592 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61,262.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 35,208.109 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Kwazulu-Natal: Male: 70 to 74 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G004: Population: Mid Year: by Province, Age and Sex.
Every person, household and institution present in South Africa on Census Night, 9-10 October 1996, should have been enumerated in Census '96. The intent was to provide a count of all persons present within the territory of the Republic of South Africa at that time. More specifically, the purpose of this census was to collect, process and disseminate detailed statistics on population size, composition and distribution at a small area level. The 1996 South African population Census contains data collected on HOUSEHOLDS and INSTITUTIONS: dwellling type, home ownership, household assets, access to services and energy sources; INDIVIDUALS: age, population group, language, religion, citizenship, migration, fertility, mortality and disability; and economic characteristics of individuals, including employment activities and unemployment.
The South African Census 1996 has national coverage.
The units of analysis for the South Africa Census 1996 were households, individuals and institutions
The South African Census 1996 covered every person present in South Africa on Census Night, 9-10 October 1996 (except foreign diplomats and their families).
Census/enumeration data [cen]
The data in the South African Census 1996 data file is a 10% unit level sample drawn from Census 1996 as follows:
1) Households: • A 10% sample of all households (excluding special institutions and hostels)
2) Persons: • A 10% sample of all persons as enumerated in the 1996 Population Census in South Africa
The census household records were explicitly stratified according to province and district council. Within each district council the records were further implicitly stratified by local authority. Within each implicit stratum the household records were ordered according to the unique seven-digit census enumerator area number, of which the first three digits are the (old) magisterial district number.
Face-to-face [f2f]
Different methods of enumeration were used to accommodate different situations and a variety of questionnaires were used. The information collected with each questionnaire differed slightly. The questionnaires used were as follows:
Questionnaire 1: (Household and personal questionnaire) This questionnaire was used in private households and within hostels which provided family accommodation. It contained 50 questions for each person and 15 for each household. Every household living in a private dwelling should have been enumerated on a household questionnaire. This questionnaire obtained information about the household and about each person who was present in the household on census night.
Questionnaire 2: (Summary book for hostels) This questionnaire was used to list all persons/households in the hostel and included 9 questions about the hostel. A summary book for hostels should have been completed for each hostel (that is, a compound for workers provided by mines, other employers, municipalities or local authorities). This questionnaire obtained information about the hostel and also listed all household and/or persons enumerated in the hostel. Some hostels contain people living in family groups. Where people were living as a household in a hostel, they were enumerated as such on a household questionnaire (which obtained information about the household and about each person who was present in the household on Census Night). On the final census file, they will be listed as for any other household and not as part of a hostel. Generally, hostels accommodate mostly individual workers. In these situations, persons were enumerated on separate personal questionnaires. These questionnaires obtained the same information on each person as would have been obtained on the household questionnaire. The persons will appear on the census file as part of a hostel. Some hostels were enumerated as special institutions and not on the questionnaires designed specifically for hostels.
Questionnaire 3: (Enumerator's book for special enumeration) This questionnaire was used to obtain very basic information for individuals within institutions such as hotels, prisons, hospitals etc. as well as for homeless persons. Only 6 questions were asked of these people. The questionnaire also included 9 questions about the institution. An enumerator's book for special enumeration should have been completed for each institution such as prisons and hospitals. This questionnaire obtained information on the institution and listed all persons present. Each person was asked a brief sub-set of questions - just 7 compared to around 50 on the household and personal questionnaires. People in institutions could not be enumerated as households. Homeless persons were enumerated during a sweep on census night using a special questionnaire. The results were later transcribed to standard enumerator's books for special enumeration to facilitate coding and data entry.
The final calculation of the undercount of persons, based on analysis of a post-enumeration survey (PES) conducted shortly after the original census, was performed by Statistics South Africa. The estimated reponse rates are detailed below, both according to stratum and for the country as a whole. An estimated 10,7% of the people in South Africa, through the course of the census process, were not enumerated. For more information on the undercount and PES, see the publication, "Calculating the Undercount in Census '96", Statistics South Africa Report No. 03-01-18 (1996) which is included in the external documents section.
Undercount of persons by province (stratum, in %):
Western Cape 8,69
Eastern Cape 10,57
Northern Cape 15,59
Free State 8,75
KwaZulu-Natal 12,81
North West 9,37
Gauteng 9,99
Mpumalanga 10,09
Northern Province 11,28
South Africa 10,69
South Africa is the sixth African country with the largest population, counting approximately 60.5 million individuals as of 2021. In 2023, the largest city in South Africa was Cape Town. The capital of Western Cape counted 3.4 million inhabitants, whereas South Africa's second largest city was Durban (eThekwini Municipality), with 3.1 million inhabitants. Note that when observing the number of inhabitants by municipality, Johannesburg is counted as largest city/municipality of South Africa.
From four provinces to nine provinces
Before Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, the country had four provinces, Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange Free State, and Transvaal and 10 “homelands” (also called Bantustans). The four larger regions were for the white population while the homelands for its black population. This system was dismantled following the new constitution of South Africa in 1996 and reorganized into nine provinces. Currently, Gauteng is the most populated province with around 15.9 million people residing there, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 11.68 million inhabiting the province. As of 2022, Black African individuals were almost 81 percent of the total population in the country, while colored citizens followed amounting to around 5.34 million.
A diverse population
Although the majority of South Africans are identified as Black, the country’s population is far from homogenous, with different ethnic groups usually residing in the different “homelands”. This can be recognizable through the various languages used to communicate between the household members and externally. IsiZulu was the most common language of the nation with around a quarter of the population using it in- and outside of households. IsiXhosa and Afrikaans ranked second and third with roughly 15 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
Eastern Cape had the largest share of women in the total population in South Africa. In 2022, 52.7 percent of the people in the province were women. Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal followed closely, with a share of 52.5 and 52.1 percent, respectively. In absolute terms, Gauteng had the largest number of women residing there, at 8.1 million.
The 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) is the first study of its kind to be conducted in South Africa and heralds a new era of reliable and relevant information in South Africa. The SADHS, a nation-wide survey has collected information on key maternal and child health indicators, and in a first for international demographic and health surveys, the South African survey contains data on the health and disease patterns in adults.
Plans to conduct the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey go as far back as 1995, when the Department of Health National Health Information Systems of South Africa (NHIS/SA) committee, recognised serious gaps in information required for health service planning and monitoring.
Fieldwork was conducted between late January and September 1998, during which time 12,247 households were visited, 17,500 people throughout nine provinces were interviewed and 175 interviewers were trained to interview in 11 languages.
The aim of the 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) was to collect data as part of the National Health Information System of South Africa (NHIS/SA). The survey results are intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in evaluating and designing programmes and strategies for improving health services in the country. A variety of demographic and health indicators were collected in order to achieve the following general objectives:
(i) To contribute to the information base for health and population development programme management through accurate and timely data on a range of demographic and health indicators. (ii) To provide baseline data for monitoring programmes and future planning. (iii) To build research and research management capacity in large-scale national demographic and health surveys.
The primary objective of the SADHS is to provide up-to-date information on: - basic demographic rates, particularly fertility and childhood mortality levels, - awareness and use of contraceptive methods, - breastfeeding practices, - maternal and child health, - awareness of HIV/AIDS, - chronic health conditions among adults, - lifestyles that affect the health status of adults, and - anthropometric indicators.
It was designed principally to produce reliable estimates of demographic rates (particularly fertility and childhood mortality rates), of maternal and child health indicators, and of contraceptive knowledge and use for the country as a whole, the urban and the non-urban areas separately, and for the nine provinces.
The 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) covered the population living in private households in the country.
Sample survey data
The 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) covered the population living in private households in the country. The design for the SADHS called for a representative probability sample of approximately 12,000 completed individual interviews with women between the ages of 15 and 49. It was designed principally to produce reliable estimates of demographic rates (particularly fertility and childhood mortality rates), of maternal and child health indicators, and of contraceptive knowledge and use for the country as a whole, the urban and the non-urban areas separately, and for the nine provinces. As far as possible, estimates were to be produced for the four South African population groups. Also, in the Eastern Cape province, estimates of selected indicators were required for each of the five health regions.
In addition to the main survey of households and women 15-49 that followed the DHS model, an adult health module was administered to a sample of adults aged 15 and over in half of the households selected for the main survey. The adult health module collected information on oral health, occupational hazard and chronic diseases of lifestyle.
SAMPLING FRAME
The sampling frame for the SADHS was the list of approximately 86,000 enumeration areas (EAs) created by Central Statistics (now Statistics South Africa, SSA) for the Census conducted in October 1996. The EAs, ranged from about 100 to 250 households, and were stratified by province, urban and non-urban residence and by EA type. The number of households in the EA served as a measure of size of the EA.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SADHS SAMPLE
The sample for the SADHS was selected in two stages. Due to confidentiality of the census data, the sampling was carried out by experts at the CSS according to specifications developed by members of the SADHS team. Within each stratum a two stage sample was selected. The primary sampling units (PSUs), corresponded to the EAs and will be selected with probability proportional to size (PPS), the size being the number of households residing in the EA, or where this was not available, the number of census visiting points in the EA. This led to 972 PSUs being selected for the SADHS (690 in urban areas and 282 in non-urban areas. Where provided by SSA, the lists of visiting points together with the households found in these visiting points, or alternatively a map of the EA which showed the households, was used as the frame for second-stage sampling to select the households to be visited by the SADHS interviewing teams during the main survey fieldwork. This sampling was carried out by the MRC behalf of the SADHS working group. If a list of visiting points or a map was not available from SSA, then the survey team took a systematic sample of visiting points in the field. In an urban EA ten visiting points were sampled, while in a non-urban EA twenty visiting points were sampled. The survey team then interviewed the household in the selected visiting point. If there were two households in the selected visiting point, both households were interviewed. If there were three or more households, then the team randomly selected one household for interview. In each selected household, a household questionnaire was administered; all women between the ages of 15 and 49 were identified and interviewed with a woman questionnaire. In half of the selected households (identified by the SADHS working group), all adults over 15 years of age were also identified and interviewed with an adult health questionnaire.
SAMPLE ALLOCATION
Except for Eastern Cape, the provinces were stratified by urban and non-urban areas, for a total of 16 sampling strata. Eastern Cape was stratified by the five health regions and urban and non-urban within each region, for a total of 10 sampling strata. There were thus 26 strata in total.
Originally, it was decided that a sample of 9,000 women 15-49 with complete interviews allocated equally to the nine provinces would be adequate to provide estimates for each province separately; results of other demographic and health surveys have shown that a minimum sample of 1,000 women is required in order to obtain estimates of fertility and childhood mortality rates at an acceptable level of sampling errors. Since one of the objectives of the SADHS was to also provide separate estimates for each of the four population groups, this allocation of 1,000 women per province would not provide enough cases for the Asian population group since they represent only 2.6 percent of the population (according to the results of the 1994 October Household Survey conducted by SSA). The decision was taken to add an additional sample of 1,000 women to the urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng to try to capture as many Asian women as possible as Asians are found mostly in these areas. A more specific sampling scheme to obtain an exact number of Asian women was not possible for two reasons: the population distribution by population group was not yet available from the 1996 census and the sampling frame of EAs cannot be stratified by population group according to SSA as the old system of identifying EAs by population group has been abolished.
An additional sample of 2,000 women was added to Eastern Cape at the request of the Eastern Cape province who funded this additional sample. In Eastern Cape, results by urban and non-urban areas can be given. Results of selected indicators such as contraceptive knowledge and use can also be produced separately for each of the five health regions but not for urban/non-urban within health region.
Result shows the allocation of the target sample of 12,000 women by province and by urban/nonurban residence. Within each province, the sample is allocated proportionately to the urban/non-urban areas.
In the above allocation, the urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal have been oversampled by about 57 percent while those of Gauteng have been oversampled by less than 1 percent. For comparison purposes, it shows a proportional allocation of the 12,000 women to the nine provinces that would result in a completely self-weighting sample but does not allow for reliable estimates for at least four provinces (Northern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and North-West).
The number of households to be selected for each stratum was calculated as follows:
-
6,456 (thousand) in 2012Q4.
The health and demography of the South African population has been undergoing substantial changes as a result of the rapidly progressing HIV epidemic. Researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the South African Medical Research Council established The Africa Health Research Studies in 1997 funded by a core grant from The Wellcome Trust, UK. Given the urgent need for high quality longitudinal data with which to monitor these changes, and with which to evaluate interventions to mitigate impact, a demographic surveillance system (DSS) was established in a rural South African population facing a rapid and severe HIV epidemic. The DSS, referred to as the Africa Health Research Institute Demographic Information System (ACDIS), started in 2000.
ACDIS was established to ‘describe the demographic, social and health impact of the HIV epidemic in a population going through the health transition’ and to monitor the impact of intervention strategies on the epidemic. South Africa’s political and economic history has resulted in highly mobile urban and rural populations, coupled with complex, fluid households. In order to successfully monitor the epidemic, it was necessary to collect longitudinal demographic data (e.g. mortality, fertility, migration) on the population and to mirror this complex social reality within the design of the demographic information system. To this end, three primary subjects are observed longitudinally in ACDIS: physical structures (e.g. homesteads, clinics and schools), households and individuals. The information about these subjects, and all related information, is stored in a single MSSQL Server database, in a truly longitudinal way—i.e. not as a series of cross-sections.
The surveillance area is located near the market town of Mtubatuba in the Umkanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal. The area is 438 square kilometers in size and includes a population of approximately 85 000 people who are members of approximately 11 000 households. The population is almost exclusively Zulu-speaking. The area is typical of many rural areas of South Africa in that while predominantly rural, it contains an urban township and informal peri-urban settlements. The area is characterized by large variations in population densities (20–3000 people/km2). In the rural areas, homesteads are scattered rather than grouped. Most households are multi-generational and range with an average size of 7.9 (SD:4.7) members. Despite being a predominantly rural area, the principle source of income for most households is waged employment and state pensions rather than agriculture. In 2006, approximately 77% of households in the surveillance area had access to piped water and toilet facilities.
To fulfil the eligibility criteria for the ACDIS cohort, individuals must be a member of a household within the surveillance area but not necessarily resident within it. Crucially, this means that ACDIS collects information on resident and non-resident members of households and makes a distinction between membership (self-defined on the basis of links to other household members) and residency (residing at a physical structure within the surveillance area at a particular point in time). Individuals can be members of more than one household at any point in time (e.g. polygamously married men whose wives maintain separate households). As of June 2006, there were 85 855 people under surveillance of whom 33% were not resident within the surveillance area. Obtaining information on non-resident members is vital for a number of reasons. Most importantly, understanding patterns of HIV transmission within rural areas requires knowledge about patterns of circulation and about sexual contacts between residents and their non-resident partners. To be consistent with similar datasets from other INDEPTH Member centres, this data set contains data from resident members only.
During data collection, households are visited by fieldworkers and information supplied by a single key informant. All births, deaths and migrations of household members are recorded. If household members have moved internally within the surveillance area, such moves are reconciled and the internal migrant retains the original identfier associated with him/her.
Demographic surveillance area situated in the south-east portion of the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal province near the town of Mtubatuba. It is bounded on the west by the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe nature reserve, on the South by the Umfolozi river, on the East by the N2 highway (except form portions where the Kwamsane township strandles the highway) and in the North by the Inyalazi river for portions of the boundary. The area is 438 square kilometers.
Individual
Resident household members of households resident within the demographic surveillance area. Inmigrants are defined by intention to become resident, but actual residence episodes of less than 180 days are censored. Outmigrants are defined by intention to become resident elsewhere, but actual periods of non-residence less than 180 days are censored. Children born to resident women are considered resident by default, irrespective of actual place of birth. The dataset contains the events of all individuals ever resident during the study period (1 Jan 2000 to 31 Dec 2015).
Event history data
This dataset contains rounds 1 to 37 of demographic surveillance data covering the period from 1 Jan 2000 to 31 December 2015. Two rounds of data collection took place annually except in 2002 when three surveillance rounds were conducted. From 1 Jan 2015 onwards there are three surveillance rounds per annum.
This dataset is not based on a sample but contains information from the complete demographic surveillance area.
Reponse units (households) by year:
Year Households
2000 11856
2001 12321
2002 12981
2003 12165
2004 11841
2005 11312
2006 12065
2007 12165
2008 11790
2009 12145
2010 12485
2011 12455
2012 12087
2013 11988
2014 11778
2015 11938
In 2006 the number of response units increased due to the addition of a new village into the demographic surveillance area.
None
Proxy Respondent [proxy]
Bounded structure registration (BSR) or update (BSU) form: - Used to register characteristics of the BS - Updates characteristics of the BS - Information as at previous round is preprinted
Household registration (HHR) or update (HHU) form: - Used to register characteristics of the HH - Used to update information about the composition of the household - Information preprinted of composition and all registered households as at previous
Household Membership Registration (HMR) or update (HMU): - Used to link individuals to households - Used to update information about the household memberships and member status observations - Information preprinted of member status observations as at previous
Individual registration form (IDR): - Used to uniquely identify each individual - Mainly to ensure members with multiple household memberships are appropriately captured
Migration notification form (MGN): - Used to record change in the BS of residency of individuals or households _ Migrants are tracked and updated in the database
Pregnancy history form (PGH) & pregnancy outcome notification form (PON): - Records details of pregnancies and their outcomes - Only if woman is a new member - Only if woman has never completed WHL or WGH
Death notification form (DTN): - Records all deaths that have recently occurred - Iincludes information about time, place, circumstances and possible cause of death
On data entry data consistency and plausibility were checked by 455 data validation rules at database level. If data validaton failure was due to a data collection error, the questionnaire was referred back to the field for revisit and correction. If the error was due to data inconsistencies that could not be directly traced to a data collection error, the record was referred to the data quality team under the supervision of the senior database scientist. This could request further field level investigation by a team of trackers or could correct the inconsistency directly at database level.
No imputations were done on the resulting micro data set, except for:
a. If an out-migration (OMG) event is followed by a homestead entry event (ENT) and the gap between OMG event and ENT event is greater than 180 days, the ENT event was changed to an in-migration event (IMG). b. If an out-migration (OMG) event is followed by a homestead entry event (ENT) and the gap between OMG event and ENT event is less than 180 days, the OMG event was changed to an homestead exit event (EXT) and the ENT event date changed to the day following the original OMG event. c. If a homestead exit event (EXT) is followed by an in-migration event (IMG) and the gap between the EXT event and the IMG event is greater than 180 days, the EXT event was changed to an out-migration event (OMG). d. If a homestead exit event (EXT) is followed by an in-migration event (IMG) and the gap between the EXT event and the IMG event is less than 180 days, the IMG event was changed to an homestead entry event (ENT) with a date equal to the day following the EXT event. e. If the last recorded event for an individual is homestead exit (EXT) and this event is more than 180 days prior to the end of the surveillance period, then the EXT event is changed to an
The 1985 census covered the so-called white areas of South Africa, i.e. the areas in the former four provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal. It also covered the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.
The 1985 Census dataset contains 9 data files. These refer to Development Regions demarcated by the South African Government according to their socio-economic conditions and development needs. These Development Regions are labeled A to J (there is no Region I, presumably because Statistics SA felt an "I" could be confused with the number 1). The 9 data files in the 1985 Census dataset refer to the following areas:
DEV REGION AREA COVERED A Western Cape Province including Walvis Bay B Northern Cape C Orange Free State and Qwaqwa D Eastern Cape/Border E Natal and Kwazulu F Eastern Transvaal, KaNgwane and part of the Simdlangentsha district of Kwazulu G Northern Transvaal, Lebowa and Gazankulu H PWV area, Moutse and KwaNdebele J Western Transvaal
The units of analysis under observation in the South African census 1985 are households and individuals
The South African census 1985 census covered the provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Nata and the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Although the census was meant to cover all residents of the so called white areas of South Africa, in 88 areas door-to-door surveys were not possible and the population in these areas was enumerated by means of a sample survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council.
Face-to-face [f2f]
The1985 population census questionnaire was administered to each household and collected information on household and area type, and information on household members, including relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activities
UNDER-ENUMERATION:
The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1985 census.
Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race according to the HSRC:
Percent undercount
Whites 7.6%
Blacks in the “RSA” 20.4%
Blacks in the “National States” 15.1%
Coloureds 1.0%
Asians 4.6%
The South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) is a national research infrastructure funded through the Department of Science and Technology and hosted by the South African Medical Research Council. One of SAPRIN’s initial goals has been to harmonise the legacy longitudinal data from the three current Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) Nodes. These long-standing nodes are the MRC/Wits University Agincourt HDSS in Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga, established in 1993, with a population of 116 000 people; the University of Limpopo DIMAMO HDSS in the Capricorn District of Limpopo, established in 1996, with a current population of 100 000; and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) HDSS in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal, established in 2000, with a current population of 125 000.
SAPRIN data are processed for longitudinal analysis by organising the demographic data into residence episodes at a geographical location, and membership episodes within a household. Start events include enumeration, birth, in-migration and relocating into a household from within the study population; exit events include death (by cause), out-migration, and relocating to another location in the study population. Variables routinely updated at individual level include health care utilisation, marital status, labour status, education status, as well as recording household asset status. Anticipated outcomes of SAPRIN include: (i) regular releases of up-to-date, longitudinal data, representative of South Africa’s fast-changing poorer communities for research, interpretation and calibration of national datasets; (ii) national statistics triangulation, whereby longitudinal SAPRIN data are triangulated with National Census data for calibration of national statistics and studying the mechanisms driving the national statistics; (iii) An interdisciplinary research platform for conducting observational and interventional research at population level; (iv) policy engagement to provide evidence to underpin policy-making for cost evaluation and targeting intervention programmes, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of pro-poor, health and wellbeing interventions; (v) scientific education through training at related universities; and (vi) community engagement, whereby coordinated engagement with communities will enable two-way learning between researchers and community members, and enabling research site communities and service providers to have access to and make effective use of research results.
The Agincourt HDSS covers an area of approximately 420km2 and is located in Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga in the rural north-east of South Africa close to the Mozambique border. DIMAMO is located in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province approximately 40 km from Polokwane, the capital city of Limpopo Province and 15-50 km from the University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus). The site covers an area of approximately 200 km2. AHRI is situated in the south-east portion of the Umkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal province near the town of Mtubatuba. It is bounded on the west by the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe nature reserve, on the south by the Umfolozi river, on the east by the N2 highway (except form portions where the KwaMsane township strandles the highway) and in the north by the Inyalazi river for portions of the boundary. The area is 438km2.
Exposure episodes
Households resident in dwellings within the study area will be eligible for inclusion in the household component of SAPRIN. All individuals identified by the household proxy informant as a member of the household will be enumerated. A resident household member is an individual that intends to sleep the majority of time at the dwelling occupied by the household over a four-month period. Households will include resident and non-resident members. An individual is a non-resident member if they have close ties to the household, but do not physically reside with the household most of the time. They can also be called temporary migrants and they are enumerated within the household list. Because household membership is not tied to physical residency, an individual may be a member of more than one household.
Event/transaction data
This dataset is not based on a sample but contains information from the complete demographic surveillance areas.
To download the 2004 dataset go to: http://sds.ukzn.ac.za/default.php?11,0,0,0,0 The third round of the KwaZulu-Natal Income Dynamics Study (KIDS) dataset contains information on the socio-economic circumstances of households. This third round conducted in 2004 re-interviewed households contacted in 1993 and 1998. It is based on the Project for Statistics on Living Standards and Development (PSLSD). The 2004 questionnaire is based on the original 1993. It includes the collection of anthropometric data from children aged 6 years or less. New modules include the administration of a literacy test to children aged 7-9 years, a module on employment histories, and a module on the Child Support Grant (CSG). Also, several existing modules have been expanded or amended, including the information on deaths in the household, the module on health and caring, that on social capital and the information collected on children. The third round of the study interviewed 867 households containing core members from 760 of the households contacted in 1993. For 180 of these 760 ‘dynasties’, information was also collected on next generation households that had split off from them. Between 1993 and 2004, attrition rates appear to be within acceptable limits, although young adults and smaller, and perhaps poorer, households are underrepresented. The age distribution of the resident members of th e core and next generation households matches that of the African and Indian population of KwaZulu-Natal reported by Census 2001. The mortality results suggest that the proportion of people at ages 20-44 dying between the second and third rounds was nearly three times the proportion dying between the first two rounds. The pattern of income distribution is one of increasing poverty and inequality since 1993, although the partial reversal of these trends in the post-1998 period is hopeful as are signs of relative prosperity among those that established independent next-generation households. In addition, access to services has generally improved. The 2004 data collection was administered by researchers at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The funding for the project was provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through Department of Social Development (DSD), the National Research Foundation, the Norwegian Research Council, USAID, and the Mellon Foundation. The South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal I ncome Dynamics Study (KIDS), 2004 was a collaborative project of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and the Norwegian Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (NIBR).
Of the total births registered in South Africa in 2022, the majority occurred in the Gauteng province, with around 232 thousand registrations. KwaZulu-Natal followed, with almost 220 thousand births recorded. On the other hand, Northern Cape recorded the lowest amount of births at close to 25 thousand.
The data on this Repository is not the result of a single questionnaire but is a result of harmonised data from three different sites longitudinally collected over more than twenty years using different questionnaires that varied over time and site.
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Despite increasing recognition of the important ecological role large carnivores fulfil and their ability to generate income for protected areas, they remain amongst the most threatened species on Earth. Most large carnivore species have exhibited substantial population declines and geographic range contractions during the past two centuries. Key to reversing this trend is devising cost-effective monitoring methods that produce reliable estimates of abundance or density over timeframes that allow for the success or failure of conservation interventions to be measured. As both scavengers and apex predators, spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) play extremely important ecological roles, and it has been suggested that they are keystone predators and key indicators of ecosystem health. Although the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists spotted hyaenas as “Least Concern”, the overall population trend is decreasing and regional declines have been observed in some areas, such as the northern KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Habitat loss and direct persecution are causing spotted hyaenas to become increasingly reliant on protected areas. In my study, I analysed hyaena by-catch data from camera trap surveys that were conducted in 2019 to monitor leopards (Panthera pardus) in two protected areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy and the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. I used spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models to estimate the population density of spotted hyaenas in both protected areas. The density of spotted hyaenas in Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy was estimated to be 5.86 ± 1.12 individuals per 100 km2, based on 30 identified individuals in a sample area of 3122 km2. The density of spotted hyaenas in the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park was estimated to be 2.97 ± 0.79 individuals per 100 km2, based on 26 identified individuals in a sample area of 2828 km2. These results confirm both the importance of new protected areas (Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy) in reversing population declines while simultaneously showing that long established protected areas (uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park) may be failing to protect spotted hyaena and presumably other large carnivores. Understanding the drivers of these differences between protected areas is essential to provide regionally stable spotted hyaena populations. Routine camera trap surveys combined with SECR models provide a cost-effective way to monitor spotted hyaena populations and produce reliable estimates of population density. Once more accurate, long-term data on the size and trends of spotted hyaena subpopulations both within and outside protected areas have been collected, the status of spotted hyaenas should be reassessed.
The South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 is the third DHS conducted in South Africa and follows surveys carried out in 1998 and 2003. The SADHS 2016 was designed to provide up-to-date information on key indicators needed to track progress in South Africa’s health programmes.
The survey was designed to provide representative estimates for main demographic and health indicators for the country as a whole, for urban and non-urban areas separately, and for each of the nine provinces in South Africa: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
Households and individuals
The South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) covered the population living in private households in the country.
Survey data
The sample for the SA DHS 2016 is a stratified sample selected in two stages from the Master Sampling Frame. Stratification was achieved by separating each province into urban, traditional, and farm areas. In total, 26 sampling strata were created (since there are no traditional areas in Western Cape). Samples were selected independently in each sampling stratum by a two-stage selection. Implicit stratification and proportional allocation were achieved at each of the lower administrative levels within a given sampling stratum by sorting the sampling frame according to administrative units at different levels in each stratum and using probability proportional to size selection at the first stage of sampling.
Face-to-face
Five questionnaires were used in the SA DHS 2016. Interviewers used tablet computers to record responses during interviews.
Of the total 972 PSUs that were selected, fieldwork was not implemented in three PSUs due to concerns about the safety of the interviewers and the questionnaires for another three PSUs were lost in transit. The data file contains information for a total of 966 PSUs. A total of 12,860 households was selected for the sample and 12,247 were successfully interviewed. The shortfall is primarily due to refusals and to dwellings that were vacant or in which the inhabitants had left for an extended period at the time they were visited by interviewing teams.
Of the 12,638 households occupied 97 percent were successfully interviewed. In these households, 12,327 women were identified as eligible for the individual women's interview (15-49) and interviews were completed with 11,735 or 95 percent of them. In the one half of the households that were selected for inclusion in the adult health survey 14,928 eligible adults age 15 and over were identified of which 13,827 or 93 percent were interviewed. The principal reason for non-response among eligible women and men was the failure to find them at home despite repeated visits to the household. The refusal rate was about 2 percent.
Sampling errors are computed in SAS, using programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.
The ‘South African Population Research Infrastructure Network’ (SAPRIN) is a national research infrastructure funded through the Department of Science and Innovation and hosted by the South African Medical Research Council. One of SAPRIN’s initial goals has been to harmonise and share the longitudinal data from the three current Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) Nodes. These long-standing nodes are the MRC/Wits University Agincourt HDSS in Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga, established in 1993, with a population of 113 113 people; the University of Limpopo DIMAMO HDSS in the Capricorn District of Limpopo, established in 1996, with a current population of 38 479; and the Africa Health ResearchInstitute (AHRI) HDSS in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal, established in 2000, with a current population of 139 250. The data on this Repository is not the result of a single questionnaire but is a result of harmonised data from three different sites longitudinally collected over more than twenty years using different questionnaires that varied over time and site.
The 1980 South African Population Census was a count of all persons present on Republic of South African territory during census night (i.e. at midnight between 6 and 7 May 1980). The purpose of the population census was to collect, process and disseminate detailed statistics on population size, composition and distribution at small area level. The 1980 South African Population Census contains data collected on HOUSEHOLDS: household goods and dwelling characteristics as well as employment of domestic workers; INDIVIDUALS: population group, citizenship/nationality, marital status, fertility and infant mortality, education, employment, religion, language and disabilities, as well as mode of transport used and participation in sport and other recreational activities
The 1980 census covered the so-called white areas of South Africa, i.e. the areas in the former four provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal. It also covered areas in the following so-called National States of Ciskei, KwaZulu, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, Kangwane, and Kwandebele. The 1980 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei and Bophuthatswana. A census data file for Bophuthatswana was released with the final South African Census 1980 dataset.
The units of analysis of the 1980 census includes households, individuals and institutions
The 1980 South African census covered all household members (usual residents).
The 1980 South African Population Census was enumerated on a de facto basis, that is, according to the place where persons were located during the census. All persons who were present on Republic of South African territory during census night (i.e. at midnight between 6 and 7 May 1980) were enumerated and included in the data. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the night of the census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically active, were not enumerated and included in the figures. Likewise, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of foreign countries were not included. However, the South African personnel linked to the foreign missions including domestic workers were enumerated. Crews and passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they were normally resident in the Republic of South Africa. Residents of the RSA who were absent from the night were as far as possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally resided. Personnel of the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria).
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Face-to-face [f2f]
The 1980 Population Census questionnaire was administered to all household members and covered household goods and dwelling characteristics, and employment of domestic workers. Questions concerning individuals included those on citizenship/nationality, marital status, fertility and infant mortality, education, employment, religion, language and disabilities, as well as mode of transport used and participation in sport and other recreational activities.
The following questions appear in the questionnaire but the corresponding data has not been included in the data set: PART C: PARTICULARS OF DWELLING: 2. How many separate families (i) Number of families (ii) Number of non-family persons (iii) total number of occupants [i.e. persons in families shown against (i) plus persons shown against 3. Persons employed by household Full-time, Part-time (a) How many persons are employed as domestics by you? (Include garden workers) (b) Total cash wages paid to above –mentioned persons for April 1980 4. Ownership – Do not answer this question if your dwelling is on a farm. (i) Own dwelling – (Including hire-purchase, sectional title property or property of wife): (a) Is the dwelling Fully paid Partly paid-off (b) If partly paid-off, state monthly repayment (include housing subsidy, but exclude insurance. (ii) Rented or occupied free dwelling : (a) Is the dwelling occupied free, rented furnished, rented unfurnished (b) If rented, state monthly rent (c) Is the dwelling owned by the employer? (d) Does it belong to the state, SA Railways, a provincial administration, a divisional council, or a municipality or other local authority? PART D: PARTICULARS OF THE FAMILY 1. Number of members in the family 2. Occupation. (Nature of work done) (a) Head of family (b) Wife 3. Annual income of head of family and wife. Annual income of: Head, Wife (if applicable)
The ‘South African Population Research Infrastructure Network’ (SAPRIN) is a national research infrastructure funded through the Department of Science and Innovation and hosted by the South African Medical Research Council. One of SAPRIN’s initial goals has been to harmonise and share the longitudinal data from the three current Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) Nodes. These long-standing nodes are the MRC/Wits University Agincourt HDSS in Bushbuckridge District, Mpumalanga, established in 1993, with a population of 113 113 people; the University of Limpopo DIMAMO HDSS in the Capricorn District of Limpopo, established in 1996, with a current population of 38 479; and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) HDSS in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal, established in 2000, with a current population of 139 250. The data on this Repository is not the result of a single questionnaire but is a result of harmonised data from three different sites longitudinally collected over more than twenty years using different questionnaires that varied over time and site.
As of 2023, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 62.3 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority inhabited Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western-Eastern Cape. Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province in South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of over 16 million people according to the estimates. Cape Town, on the other hand, is the largest city in South Africa with nearly 3.43 million inhabitants in the same year, whereas Durban counted 3.12 million citizens. However, looking at cities including municipalities, Johannesburg ranks first. High rate of young population South Africa has a substantial population of young people. In 2024, approximately 34.3 percent of the people were aged 19 years or younger. Those aged 60 or older, on the other hand, made-up over 10 percent of the total population. Distributing South African citizens by marital status, approximately half of the males and females were classified as single in 2021. Furthermore, 29.1 percent of the men were registered as married, whereas nearly 27 percent of the women walked down the aisle. Youth unemployment Youth unemployment fluctuated heavily between 2003 and 2022. In 2003, the unemployment rate stood at 36 percent, followed by a significant increase to 45.5 percent in 2010. However, it fluctuated again and as of 2022, over 51 percent of the youth were registered as unemployed. Furthermore, based on a survey conducted on the worries of South Africans, some 64 percent reported being worried about employment and the job market situation.