Table1: Mid-year population estimates for South Africa by population group and sex, 2009
|
Population group |
Male |
|
Female |
|
Total |
|
|
Number |
Percentage of total population |
Number |
Percentage of total population |
Number |
Percentage of total population |
|
|
African |
18,901,000 |
79.2% |
20,235,200 |
79.5% |
39,136,200 |
79.4% |
|
Coloured |
2,137,300 |
9.0% |
2,295,800 |
9.0% |
4,433,100 |
9.0% |
|
Indian/Asian |
635,700 |
2.7% |
643,400 |
2.5% |
1,279,100 |
2.6% |
|
White |
2,194,700 |
9.2% |
2,277,400 |
8.9% |
4,472,100 |
9.1% |
|
|
23,868,700 |
100.0% |
25,451,800 |
100.0% |
49,320,500 |
100.0% |
Table 2: Mid-year population estimates by province, 2009
|
Province |
Number |
Percentage of total population |
|
Eastern Cape |
6,648,600 |
13.5% |
|
Free State |
2,902,400 |
5.9% |
|
Gauteng |
10,531,300 |
21.4% |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
10,449,300 |
21.2% |
|
Limpopo |
5,227,200 |
10.6% |
|
Mpumalanga |
3,606,800 |
7.3% |
|
Northern Cape |
1,147,600 |
2.3% |
|
North West |
3,450,400 |
7.0% |
|
Western Cape |
5,356,900 |
10.9% |
|
Total |
49,320,500 |
100.0% |
Summary
This release uses the cohort-component methodology to estimate the 2009 mid-year population of South Africa.
The estimates cover all the residents of South Africa at the 2009 mid-year, and are based on the latest available information. Estimates may change as new data become available.
For 2009, Statistics South Africa Stats SA) estimates three variants of the population. The low variant estimates the population at 48,88 million, and the high variant at 49,68 million. The medium variant of the population estimated at 49,32 million should be regarded as the best estimate of the 2009 mid-year population.
Fifty-two per cent (approximately 25,45 million) of the population is female.
Gauteng comprises the largest share of the South African population. Approximately 10,53 million people (21,4%) live in this province. KwaZulu-Natal is the province with the second largest population, with 10,45 million people (21,2%) living in this province. With a population of approximately 1,15 million people (2,3%), Northern Cape remains the province with the smallest share of the South African population.
Nearly one-third (31,4%) of the population is aged younger than 15 years and approximately 7,5% (3,7 million) is 60 years or older. Of those younger than 15 years, approximately 23% (3,54 million) live in KwaZulu-Natal and 17,9% (2,78 million) live in Gauteng.
Migration is an important demographic process in shaping the age structure and distribution of the provincial population.
For the period 2006-2011 it is estimated that approximately 390 000 people will migrate from the Eastern Cape; Limpopo is estimated to experience a net outmigration of nearly 200 000 people. During the same period, Gauteng and Western Cape are estimated to experience a net inflow of migrants of approximately 450 000 and 140 000 respectively.
Life expectancy at birth is estimated at 53,5 years for males and 57,2 years for females.
The infant mortality rate is estimated at 45,7 per 1 000 live births.
The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 10,6%. The total number of people living with HIV is estimated at approximately 5,21 million. For adults aged 15-49 years, an estimated 17% of the population is HIV positive.
For 2009, this release estimates that approximately 1,5 million people aged 15 and older and approximately 106 000 children would be in need of ART.
The total number of new HIV infections for 2009 is estimated at 413 000. Of these, an estimated 59 000 will be among children.
Issued by Statistics South Africa, July 27 2009
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