Census 2022 Statistical Release

STATISTICAL RELEASE
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

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STATISTICAL RELEASE
P0301.4
Census 2022
Embargoed until:
10 October 2023
15:00
ENQUIRIES:
Mosidi Nhlapo
0123108223
mosidin@statssa.gov.za
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA iii P0301.4
CONTENTS
PREFACE ........................................................................................................................................................... ii
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................vi
ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................viii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... x
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Overview............................................................................................................................................ 1
2. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................................................ 2
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Population size .................................................................................................................................. 2
2.3 Population composition ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Age and sex structure ....................................................................................................................... 8
2.5 Sex ratio ..........................................................................................................................................14
2.6 Median age ......................................................................................................................................16
2.7 Marital status ...................................................................................................................................18
2.8 Language most often spoken in the household ..............................................................................22
2.9 Religious affiliation/belief .................................................................................................................24
2.10 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................25
3. MIGRATION ........................................................................................................................................26
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................26
3.2 Interprovincial migration, Census 2011 to 2022 ..............................................................................26
3.3 Lifetime migration ............................................................................................................................27
3.4 Patterns of migration between Census 1996, 2001, 2011 and 2022 ..............................................29
3.5 Sending countries ............................................................................................................................31
3.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................32
4. EDUCATION .......................................................................................................................................33
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................33
4.2 Attendance at an educational institution .........................................................................................33
4.2.1 Education profile of learners aged 0–4 years .............................................................................34
4.2.2 General attendance of educational institutions by individuals aged 5–24 ..................................37
4.3 Field of education for persons aged 20 years and older .................................................................46
4.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................49
5. GENERAL HEALTH AND FUNCTIONING.........................................................................................50
5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................50
5.2 General health and functioning domains.........................................................................................51
5.3 Disability status ...............................................................................................................................52
5.4 Assistive devices .............................................................................................................................57
5.5 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................58
6. PARENTAL SURVIVAL ......................................................................................................................59
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................59
6.2 Census 2022 Orphanhood methodology ........................................................................................59
7. HOMELESSNESS ...............................................................................................................................61
7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................61
7.2 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................65
8. HOUSING AND BASIC SERVICES ....................................................................................................66
8.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................66
8.2 Households .....................................................................................................................................66
8.2.1 Number of households ................................................................................................................66
8.2.2 Average household size ..............................................................................................................67
8.2.3 Female-headed households .......................................................................................................67
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA iv P0301.4
8.3 Housing ...........................................................................................................................................68

8.3.1 Dwelling type ...............................................................................................................................68
8.3.2 Tenure status ..............................................................................................................................70
8.3.3 RDP/government-subsidized dwelling ........................................................................................72
8.4 Access to basic services .................................................................................................................72
8.4.1 Water and sanitation ...................................................................................................................73
8.4.2 Energy/fuel used for lighting and cooking. ..................................................................................78
8.4.3 Household goods/assets .............................................................................................................84
8.4.4 Access to internet .......................................................................................................................87
9. AGRICULTURAL HOUSEHOLDS......................................................................................................89
9.1 Background .....................................................................................................................................89
9.2 Number of agricultural households .................................................................................................89
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................95
CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS .....................................................................................................................96
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA v P0301.4
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Distribution of the population by province and sex, Census 1996–2022 ......................................... 3
Table 2.2: Distribution of the population and percentage change by province, Census 1996–2022 ................ 4
Table 2.3: Percentage distribution of the population by sex and province, Census 1996–2022 ...................... 5
Table 2.4: Distribution of the population by population group and province, Census 1996–2022 .................... 6
Table 2.5: Distribution of the population by 5-year age groups and sex, Census 2022 .................................... 9
Table 2.6: Percentage distribution of the population by 5-year age groups and province, Census 2022 ....... 10
Table 2.7: Sex ratio by province, Census 1996–2022 ..................................................................................... 15
Table 2.8: Population distribution by language spoken most often in the household, Census 2022 .............. 22
Table 2.9: Percentage distribution by language spoken most often in the household and province,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 23
Table 2.10: Percentage distribution of population by religious affiliation/belief, Census 2022 ....................... 24
Table 3.1: Distribution of population by province of usual residence and province of previous residence,
Census 2011 and 2022 ............................................................................................................................... 27
Table 3.2: Distribution of the population by province of birth and province of usual residence, Census
2022 ............................................................................................................................................................. 28
Table 4.1: Distribution of the population aged 0–4 years attending an ECD programme by province,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 34
Table 4.2: Distribution of the population attending an ECD programme by population group and sex,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 36
Table 4.3: Distribution of population aged 5–24 by school attendance, age and sex, Census 2022.............. 37
Table 4.4: Distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational institution and
population group, Census 1996–2022 ........................................................................................................ 39
Table 4.5: Distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational institution and
province, Census 1996–2022 ...................................................................................................................... 40
Table 4.6: Distribution of population aged 20 years and older by educational attainment and province,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 43
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 46
Table 4.8: Distribution of population aged 20 years and older by field of education and sex, Census 2011
and 2022 ...................................................................................................................................................... 47
Table 5.1: Distribution of the population aged 5 years and older by type of functional domain and degree
of difficulty, Census 2011 and 2022 ............................................................................................................ 51
Table 5.2: Distribution of population aged 5 years and older by type of assistive device, Census 2011
and 2022 ...................................................................................................................................................... 57
Table 6.1: Percentage distribution of children aged 0–17 years by orphan type, Census, 2022 .................... 59
Table 6.2: Percentage distribution of children aged 0–17 years by orphan type and province, Census
2011 and 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 60
Table 7.1: Number and percentage of the homeless population by sex, Census 2022 .................................. 62
Table 7.2: Number and percentage of homeless persons by province and type of homelessness,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 62
Table 8.1: Distribution of households by province, Census 1996–2022 ......................................................... 66
Table 8.2: Distribution of households by main source of water, Census 2001–2022 ..................................... 74
Table 9.1: Number of agricultural households by province, Census 2011 and 2022 ...................................... 90
Table 9.2: Number of agricultural households by population group, Census 2011 and 2022 ........................ 90
Table 9.3: Number of agricultural households by type of activity and province, Census 2022 ....................... 91
Table 9.4: Number of agricultural households by type of activity and population group, Census 2022 ......... 91
Table 9.5: Number of agricultural households by place of agricultural activity and province, Census 2022 .. 92
Table 9.6: Number of agricultural households by place of agricultural activity and population group,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 92
Table 9.7: Number of agricultural households by main purpose of involvement in agricultural activities
and province, Census 2022 ......................................................................................................................... 93
and population group, Census 2022 ........................................................................................................... 93
Table 9.9: Number of livestock by type and province, Census 2022 .............................................................. 94
Table 9.10: Number of livestock by type and population group, Census 2022 ............................................... 94
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA vi P0301.4
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Total population by census year, Census 1996–2022 .................................................................... 2
Figure 2.2: Percentage distribution of the population by province, Census 1996–2022 ................................... 4
Figure 2.3: Percentage distribution by population group, Census 1996–2022 ................................................. 7
Figure 2.4: Distribution patterns of the population by 5-year age groups, Census 2011 and 2022 .................. 8
Figure 2.5: Percentage distribution of the population by population group and 5-year age groups,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 11
Figure 2.6: Population structure of South Africa, Census 1996 and 2022 ...................................................... 12
Figure 2.9: Sex ratio by population group, Census 1996–2022 ...................................................................... 15
Figure 2.10: Sex ratio by 5-year age groups, Census 1996–2022 .................................................................. 16
Figure 2.11: Median age by province, Census 1996–2022 ............................................................................. 17
Figure 2.12: Median age by population group, Census 1996–2022 ............................................................... 17
Figure 2.13: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older and marital status,
Census 2011 and 2022 .............................................................................................................................. 18
Figure 2.14: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older by province and marital
status, Census 2022 .................................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 2.15: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older by marital status and
population group, Census 2022................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 2.16: Percentage distribution of the population by marital status and age group, Census 2022 ......... 21
Figure 2.17: Percentage distribution of the population by population group and religious affiliation/
belief, Census 2022 ..................................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 3.1: Population born outside South Africa, Census 1996–2022 .......................................................... 29
Figure 3.2: Distribution of population born outside South Africa by age and sex, Census 2011 and 2022 ... 30
Figure 3.3: Top 20 sending countries to South Africa, Census 2011 and 2022 .............................................. 31
Figure 4.1: Percentage distribution of population aged 5–24 years attending an educational institution,
Census 1996–2022 ..................................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 4.2: Percentage distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational
institution and province, Census 1996–2022 .............................................................................................. 41
Figure 4.3: Percentage distribution for persons aged 20 years and older by educational attainment and
province, Census 2022 ................................................................................................................................ 42
Figure 4.4: Percentage distribution of population aged 20 years and older by educational attainment,
population group and sex, Census 2022 ..................................................................................................... 44
Census 1996–2022 ..................................................................................................................................... 45
Figure 5.1: Disability prevalence, Census 2011 and 2022 .............................................................................. 52
Figure 5.2: Disability prevalence by age group, Census 2011 and 2022 ........................................................ 53
Figure 5.3: Disability prevalence by sex, Census 2011 and 2022 .................................................................. 54
Figure 5.4: Disability prevalence by population group, Census 2011 and 2022 ............................................. 55
Figure 5.5: Disability prevalence by province, Census 2011 and 2022 .......................................................... 56
Figure 7.1: Percentage distribution of homeless persons by location; metropolitan and non-metropolitan
areas, Census 2022 .................................................................................................................................... 63
Figure 7.2: Distribution of homeless persons by type of homelessness in 5-year age groups, Census
2022 ............................................................................................................................................................. 64
Figure 7.3: Distribution of homeless persons by top five main reason for homelessness and sex,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 65
Figure 8.1: Average household size by province, Census 1996–2022 ........................................................... 67
Figure 8.2: Percentage distribution of female-headed households by province, Census 2022 ...................... 67
Figure 8.3: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling, Census 1996–2022 ................. 68
Figure 8.4: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling and province, Census 2022 ..... 69
Figure 8.5: Percentage distribution of households by tenure status, Census 2001–2022 .............................. 70
Figure 8.6: Percentage distribution of households by tenure status and province, Census 2022 .................. 71
Figure 8.7: Percentage distribution of RDP/government-subsidised dwellings by province, Census 2022 .... 72
Figure 8.8: Percentage distribution of households by access to piped water, Census 1996–2022 ................ 73
Figure 8.9: Percentage distribution of households by access to piped water and province, Census 2022 .... 74
Figure 8.10: Percentage distribution of households that reported water interruptions by province,
Census 2022................................................................................................................................................ 75
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA vii P0301.4
Figure 8.11: Percentage distribution of households by main type of toilet facility, Census 2001–2022 ......... 76
Figure 8.12: Percentage distribution of households by main type of toilet facility and province, Census
2022 ............................................................................................................................................................. 77
Figure 8.13: Percentage distribution of households by main source of energy used for lighting, Census
1996–2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 78
Figure 8.14: Percentage distribution of households using electricity as the main source of energy used
for lighting by province, Census 2011 and 2022 ......................................................................................... 79
Figure 8.15: Percentage distribution of households by main source of energy used for cooking, Census
1996–2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 80
Figure 8.16: Percentage distribution of households using electricity as the main source of energy used
for cooking by province, Census 2011 and 2022 ........................................................................................ 81
Figure 8.17: Percentage distribution of households by type of refuse disposal mainly utilised, Census
1996–2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 82
Figure 8.18: Distribution of households whose refuse is removed by local authority/private
company/community members at least once a week by province, Census 2022 ....................................... 83
Figure 8.19: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of household goods, Census 2001–
2022 ............................................................................................................................................................. 84
Figure 8.20: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of household goods, Census 2022 .......... 85
Figure 8.21: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of selected household goods and
province, Census 2022 ................................................................................................................................ 86
Figure 8.22: Percentage distribution of households by main access to internet, Census 2011 and 2022 ..... 87
Figure 8.23: Percentage distribution of households with no access to internet by province, Census 2011
and 2022 ...................................................................................................................................................... 88
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA viii P0301.4
ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS
ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS DESCRIPTION

CAPI Computer-assisted Personal Interview
CAWI Computer-assisted Web Interview
CATI Computer-assisted Telephone Interview
DCC District Census Coordinator
DRC Democratic Republic of Congo
EC Eastern Cape
ECD Early Childhood Development
FS Free State
GP Gauteng
IDP Integrated Development Plan
KZN KwaZulu-Natal
LP Limpopo
MP Mpumalanga
NGO Non-governmental organisation
NC Northern Cape
NDP National Development Plan
NSFAS National Student Financial Aid Scheme
NW North West
PAPI Paper and Pen Interview
PCMA Publicity, Community Mobilisation & Advocacy
PCQA Provincial Coordination & Quality Assurance
PERSAL Personnel and Salary System
PES Post Enumeration Survey
PO Provincial Office
PSC Provincial Survey Coordinator
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
QN Questionnaire
RAM Radio Audience Measures
RDP Reconstruction and Development Programmes
SALGA South African Local Government Association
SAPS South African Police Services
SAQA South African Qualification Authority
SCM Supply Chain Management
SDI Special Dwelling Institutions
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SOE State Owned Enterprises
SG Statistician General
SLA Service Level Agreement
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA ix P0301.4
ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS DESCRIPTION

SMS Subject Matter Specialist
STATS ACT Statistics Act No.6 of 1999
STATS SA Statistics South Africa
UAT User Acceptance Testing
UN United Nations
UNCRPD Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
WC Western Cape
WHO World Health Organisation
VMS Vehicle Management System
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA x P0301.4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The South African population and housing census provides a mechanism for the country to take stock of the
population and housing numbers every 10 years. The census is a rich source of statistical information and the
foundation of statistical sampling within the organisation. It provides information on the demographic, socio-
economic and geographic characteristics of the population, as well as household characteristics. In a departure
from previous practice, the 2022 census was the first digital census conducted by South Africa and used three
modes of collection: Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI); Computer-assisted Web Interview (CAWI);
and Computer-assisted Telephonic Interview (CATI).
The population of South Africa increased from 51,7 million in 2011 to more than 62 million in 2022; a growth
rate of 1,8% in the intercensal period. Females constituted 51,5% of the total population, while 48,5% were
males. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal had the highest populations at 15 million and 12,4 million respectively,
while the Northern Cape had the smallest (1,3 million). Black Africans remain the dominant population group
at 81,4%, followed by the coloured population at 8,2%. The white population percentage declined to 7,3% in
2022 from 8,9% observed in 2011, while that for Indians/Asians increased slightly from 2,5% in 2011 to 2,7%
in 2022. The median age increased to 28 years from 25 years in 2011, suggesting a consistent increase over
time and an overall increase of three years.
More than 55 000 homeless individuals were recorded, with more males (70,1%) than females (29,9%), for
both roofless and sheltered. Homelessness was more prevalent in metropolitan areas (74,1%) compared to
non-metropolitan areas (25,9%). City of Tshwane recorded the highest proportion of homeless persons
(18,1%), followed by City of Johannesburg at 15,6%. Looking at the top five reasons for homelessness, job
loss/no income was the most cited for both males and females (41,3%), followed by alcohol and drug abuse
(25%).
Internal migration results showed that two provinces still dominate internal migration in South Africa. Gauteng
remained the dominant migration stream, receiving more than a third of all internal migrants, followed by
Western Cape with 15%. Over the intercensal period, four provinces experienced an outflow of people, namely
Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.
Census 2022 showed there were more than 2,4 million international migrants, which equates to just above 3%
of the total population. Most of these came from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region
(86%) and of these, 45,5% came from Zimbabwe, followed by Mozambique with 18,7% and Lesotho with
10,2%. The top five sending countries to South Africa were Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho and the
United Kingdom; these five countries have also maintained their rank since 2011.
More than three million children (0–4 years) participated in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Provincially,
children in Northern Cape (57%) and North West (52,4%) were more likely not to participate in ECD, compared
to other provinces.
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA xi P0301.4
Seven out of ten black African children attended an ECD facility compared to eight out of ten white children.
Attendance at an educational institution increased to almost universal level between 1996 and 2022 for
children aged 5 years and 6 years, while the attendance rate started to decline by age 15–24 over the period.
Attendance increased for black Africans, coloureds and whites over the period while the Indian/Asian
population showed little change. For both 2011 and 2022, business, economics and management sciences
and education were dominated by females, while males continued to dominate in engineering and electrical
infrastructure studies.
The number of households increased from 14,4 million in 2011 to 17,8 million in 2022, an intercensal growth
rate of 2%. The household size declined from 3,6 to 3,5 in 2022. KwaZulu-Natal consistently had the highest
household size (4,4%), followed by Northern Cape (4,1%). The majority of households resided in formal
dwellings (88,5%); Limpopo maintained the highest proportion of formal dwellings as was observed in 2011,
increasing from 90% in 2011 to 95% in 2022. The distribution of household headship between females and
males is nearly equal, with approximately a 50-50 share for each. KwaZulu-Natal had the highest proportion
of female-headed households.
Although there was an increase in the proportion of households with piped water, the rate of increase slowed
over time. Almost half of households (48,4%) reported experiencing water interruptions for two or more
consecutive days; Northern Cape (65,8%) had the highest proportion reporting water interruptions, followed
by North West (65,2%). The least occurrence in water interruptions was recorded in the Western Cape (28%).
Households with access to the internet increased to 79% in 2022 from 35% in 2011. Internet access via
cellphone was the most common source of internet for most households.
There was a slight decline in the number of households participating in agriculture across six of the nine
provinces from 2011 to 2022. The exception was for Limpopo, where the number of agricultural households
increased by almost 5%. Slight increases were observed for Gauteng and Mpumalanga as well. In both
censuses, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape had the highest number of households participating in
agriculture. Almost 2 million households reported participating in agriculture for household consumption only;
of these, and these varied by population group of the household head. 93% were black African-headed
households, while only 3% were white-headed households. Of the 17,6 million sheep that were reported
nationally as part of livestock ownership, 58% were reported in Eastern Cape and 13% in the Western Cape.
Ownership of chickens was more predominant in KwaZulu-Natal (20,3%), followed by Eastern Cape with
16,7%.
Census 2022
STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 1 P0301.4
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
Censuses are the principal means of collecting basic population and housing statistics required for planning,
decision-making and monitoring of policies in all sectors of the economy in a country. Population and housing
censuses provide detailed statistics on population composition, characteristics, and spatial distribution to the
lowest geographical area. South Africa has conducted four censuses (1996, 2001, 2011 and 2022). Census
2022 was the first digital census to be conducted in the post-1994 democratic dispensation, driven by the
fundamental benefits of a technology-driven census, including real-time data collection, processing and timely,
quality data. Census 2022’s strategic approach was thus to ensure that most processes such as the geography
frame, data collection instruments/tools, and data processing were largely technology driven.
A multi-mode data collection approach was also adopted in census 2022, namely the use of face-to-face
interviews (Computer-assisted Personal Interview [CAPI]), telephonic interviews (Computer-assisted
Telephone Interview [CATI]), and self-enumeration through the internet (Computer-assisted Web Interview
[CAWI]). The multi-mode data collection approach became an advantage in conducting a census in the
COVID-19 pandemic environment that affected key census phases, including geography frame finalisation and
data collection.
South Africa conducts a de facto census – individuals are counted based on where they were on the census
reference night. Census 2022 reference night was the night of 2 February 2022. Based on this approach, four
sub-populations were counted: household-based population; population in special dwelling institutions (SDIs);
transient population; and homeless population. Counting each sub-population requires different enumeration
procedures and data-collection instruments/tools developed for each sub-population. The homeless and
transient populations were enumerated on census night while household and SDI enumeration started on
3 February 2022. Census 2022 was affected by unprecedented challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic
and climate change issues such as flooding in some parts of the country, and these affected the Census 2022
data collection and other enumeration related activities conducted between February and May 2022, with
provinces completing enumeration at different times over this period. For a detailed information on how the
count was done, refer to Report No. 03-01-45.
Census 2022
2. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
2.1 Introduction
This section presents key findings from the demographic characteristics. It covers the total population by
province, population composition, which includes age and sex structure, population group and median ages.
Recorded marital status, language most spoken in the household and religious affiliation are also profiled.
2.2 Population size

The section on population size provides the results of the population recorded in Census 2022 and changes
by province since Census 1996.
Figure 2.1: Total population by census year, Census 1996–2022
70,000,000
60,000,000
Number in millions
50,000,000
40,000,000
30,000,000
20,000,000
10,000,000
0
Census 1996 Census 2001 Census 2011 Census 2022
Total population 40,583,573 44,819,778 51,770,560 62,027,503
Figure 2.1 shows the total population by census years, 1996–2022. Overall, the results indicate that the
population size of the country has been increasing. The population increased from 40 583 573 in 1996 to
62 027 503 in 2022, representing a growth rate of 4,1%. The biggest growth rates were observed between
2011 and 2022 at 1,8%, while the rates between 2001 and 2011 was 1,4%.
Census 2022
Table 2.1: Distribution of population by province and sex, Census 1996–2022
Census Sex
Province year Male Female Total
1996 1 935 494 2 021 381 3 956 875
2001 2 192 321 2 332 014 4 524 335
Western Cape
2011 2 858 506 2 964 228 5 822 734
2022 3 602 159 3 830 860 7 433 019
1996 2 840 235 3 307 009 6 147 244
2001 2 906 521 3 372 130 6 278 651
Eastern Cape
2011 3 089 701 3 472 353 6 562 053
2022 3 424 042 3 806 162 7 230 204
1996 491 601 520 263 1 011 864
2001 479 764 512 112 991 876
Northern Cape
2011 564 972 580 889 1 145 861
2022 653 320 702 626 1 355 946
1996 1 298 348 1 335 156 2 633 504
2001 1 297 605 1 409 170 2 706 775
Free State
2011 1 328 967 1 416 623 2 745 590
2022 1 407 824 1 556 588 2 964 412
1996 4 018 349 4 553 953 8 572 302
2001 4 478 083 5 106 046 9 584 129
KwaZulu-Natal
2011 4 878 676 5 388 625 10 267 300
2022 5 919 217 6 504 690 12 423 907
1996 1 347 678 1 379 149 2 726 828
2001 1 484 077 1 497 987 2 982 064
North West
2011 1 779 903 1 730 049 3 509 953
2022 1 885 033 1 919 515 3 804 548
1996 3 988 348 3 846 272 7 834 620
2001 4 720 283 4 670 245 9 390 528
Gauteng
2011 6 189 875 6 082 388 12 272 263
2022 7 617 952 7 481 470 15 099 422
1996 1 505 594 1 618 610 3 124 203
2001 1 603 578 1 762 379 3 365 957
Mpumalanga
2011 1 974 055 2 065 883 4 039 939
2022 2 469 794 2 673 530 5 143 324
1996 2 095 241 2 480 892 4 576 133
2001 2 271 809 2 723 653 4 995 462
Limpopo
2011 2 524 136 2 880 732 5 404 868
2022 3 099 416 3 473 304 6 572 720
1996 19 520 887 21 062 685 40 583 573
2001 21 434 040 23 385 737 44 819 778
South Africa
2011 25 188 791 26 581 769 51 770 560
2022 30 078 757 31 948 745 62 027 503
Census 2022
Table 2.1 provides the distribution of the population by province and sex, 1996–2022. The results show that
the female population was 31 948 745 while the male population was 30 078 757 in 2022. Gauteng recorded
the highest population (15 099 422) followed by KwaZulu-Natal (12 423 907) in 2022, while Northern Cape
(1 355 946) and Free State (2 964 412) reported the lowest population sizes among the provinces. Gauteng
is the only province where the proportion of females has been consistently below 50% since 1996. Limpopo
(52,8%) and Eastern Cape (52,6%) had the highest proportion of females, more than the other seven provinces
and the national percentage (51,5%).
Figure 2.2: Percentage distribution of the population by province, Census 1996–2022
30
25
20
% 15
10
0
Western Northern KwaZulu-
Eastern Cape Free State North West Gauteng Mpumalanga Limpopo
Cape Cape Natal
1996 9.7 15.1 2.5 6.5 21.1 6.7 19.3 7.7 11.3
2001 10.1 14 2.2 6 21.4 6.7 21 7.5 11.1
2011 11.3 12.3 2.2 5.3 19.4 7.1 24.6 7.8 10
2022 12.0 11.7 2.2 4.8 20.0 6.1 24.3 8.3 10.6
Figure 2.2 provides the percentage distribution of the population by province, 1996–2022. The results indicate
that Gauteng (24,3%), KwaZulu-Natal (20%) and Western Cape (12%) recorded the highest percentage
distributions of the population, while Northern Cape (2,2%) and Free State (4,8%) reported the lowest. A
consistent increase in the proportion of the population was observed for Gauteng and the Western Cape from
19,3% and 9,7% in 1996 to 24,3% and 12% in 2022 respectively. Eastern Cape and the Free State, on the
other hand, recorded a consistent decline over time, while it remained constant (2,2%) between 2001 and
2022 in the Northern Cape province. The North West province reported a slight decrease from 7,1% to 6,1%
between 2011 and 2022.
Table 2.2: Distribution of the population and percentage change by province, Census 1996–2022
% % %
change change change
(1996- (2001- (2011-
Province 1996 2001 2001) 2011 2011) 2022 2022)
Western Cape 3 956 875 4 524 335 14,3 5 822 734 28,7 7 433 019 27,7
Eastern Cape 6 147 244 6 278 651 2,1 6 562 053 4,5 7 230 204 10,2
Northern Cape 1 011 864 991 876 -2,0 1 145 861 15,5 1 355 946 18,3
Free State 2 633 504 2 706 775 2,8 2 745 590 1,4 2 964 412 8,0
KwaZulu-Natal 8 572 302 9 584 129 11,8 10 267 300 7,1 12 423 907 21,0
North West 2 726 828 2 982 064 9,4 3 509 953 17,7 3 804 548 8,4
Gauteng 7 834 620 9 390 528 19,9 12 272 263 30,7 15 099 422 23,0
Mpumalanga 3 124 203 3 365 957 7,7 4 039 939 20,0 5 143 324 27,3
Limpopo 4 576 133 4 995 462 9,2 5 404 868 8,2 6 572 721 21,6
South Africa 40 583 573 44 819 778 10,4 51 770 560 15,5 62 027 503 19,8
Census 2022
Table 2.2 presents changes in the population size (numbers and percentages) between the different censuses,
1996–2022. Nationally, the results showed the largest percentage change occurred between 2011 and 2022
at 19,8%. There was 10,4% percentage change between 1996 and 2001 and 15,5% between and 2001 and
2022. Except for Northern Cape (-2,0%) which recorded a negative change between 1996 and 2001, all other
provinces recorded positive change over the years. The Western Cape (27,7%), Mpumalanga (27,3%) and
Gauteng (23,0%) provinces recorded the highest percentage changes, while the Free State (8,0%) and North
West (8,4%) recorded the lowest change between 2011 and 2022.
2.3 Population composition
This section provides the results on population composition recorded in Census 2022 by population group,
sex and province between 1996 and 2022.
Table 2.3: Percentage distribution of the population by sex and province, Census 1996–2022
1996 2001 2011 2022

Province Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Western Cape 48,9 51,1 48,5 51,5 49,1 50,9 48,5 51,5
Eastern Cape 46,2 53,8 46,3 53,7 47,1 52,9 47,4 52,6
Northern Cape 48,6 51,4 48,4 51,6 49,3 50,7 48,2 51,8
Free State 49,3 50,7 47,9 52,1 48,4 51,6 47,5 52,5
KwaZulu-Natal 46,9 53,1 46,7 53,3 47,5 52,5 47,6 52,4
North West 49,4 50,6 49,8 50,2 50,7 49,3 49,5 50,5
Gauteng 50,9 49,1 50,3 49,7 50,4 49,6 50,5 49,5
Mpumalanga 48,2 51,8 47,6 52,4 48,9 51,1 48,0 52,0
Limpopo 45,8 54,2 45,5 54,5 46,7 53,3 47,2 52,8
South Africa 48,1 51,9 47,8 52,2 48,7 51,3 48,5 51,5
Table 2.3 presents percentage distribution of the population by sex and province, 1996–2022. With the
exception of Gauteng, the results show that the female population has remained slightly higher than the male
population in all provinces over the years. Females remained above 50% in all provinces except for Gauteng,
where the proportion of females has been below 50% since 1996. The lower proportion of the female
population reported over the years in Gauteng may be associated with economic and migration-related factors,
resulting in more males relocating to the province. Limpopo followed by Eastern Cape have recorded the
highest proportion of females since 1996, although there was a consistent decline for both from 54,2% to
52,8% and 53,8% to 52,6% in Limpopo and Eastern Cape respectively in 2022.
Census 2022
Table 2.4: Distribution of the population by population group and province, Census 1996–2022
Population group
Census
Province year Black African Coloured Indian/Asian White Other Total
1996 826 691 2 146 109 40 376 821 551 - 3 834 727
Western 2001 1 207 429 2 438 976 45 030 832 901 - 4 524 335
Cape 2011 1 912 547 2 840 404 60 761 915 053 93 969 5 822 734
2022 2 884 511 3 124 757 84 363 1 217 807 115 235 7 426 673
1996 5 291 423 469 684 19 378 331 478 - 6 111 963
2001 5 473 922 480 408 18 483 305 839 - 6 278 651
Eastern Cape
2011 5 660 230 541 850 27 929 310 450 21 595 6 562 053
2022 6 189 075 547 741 37 568 403 061 48 339 7 225 784
1996 448 880 436 319 2 350 111 650 - 999 200
Northern 2001 461 262 425 717 2 379 102 518 - 991 876
Cape 2011 576 986 461 899 7 827 81 246 17 903 1 145 861
2022 679 383 563 605 10 824 99 150 2 667 1 355 629
1996 2 223 940 79 038 2 805 316 459 - 2 622 242
2001 2 381 073 83 193 3 719 238 791 - 2 706 775
Free State
2011 2 405 533 83 844 10 398 239 026 6 790 2 745 590
2022 2 630 556 78 141 12 978 235 915 4 274 2 961 864
1996 7 037 724 116 798 790 791 556 997 - 8 502 310
KwaZulu- 2001 8 163 564 140 286 798 163 482 115 - 9 584 129
Natal 2011 8 912 921 141 376 756 991 428 842 27 170 10 267 300
2022 10 535 830 183 019 1 157 542 513 377 27 442 12 417 210
1996 2 444 648 44 236 9 880 214 284 - 2 713 048
2001 2 684 682 53 710 9 738 233 934 - 2 982 064
North West
2011 3 152 063 71 409 20 652 255 385 10 444 3 509 953
2022 3 562 524 60 720 2 654 171 887 5 894 3 803 679
1996 5 620 774 28 0235 161 429 1 711 015 - 7 773 453
2001 7 064 389 33 9973 218 124 1 768 042 - 9 390 528
Gauteng
2011 9 493 684 42 3594 356 574 1 913 884 84 527 12 272 263
2022 12 765 312 44 3857 329 736 1 509 800 35 890 15 084 595
1996 2 827 503 20 394 12 941 245 250 - 3 106 089
2001 3 135 485 22 429 10 964 197 080 - 3 365 957
Mpumalanga
2011 3 662 219 36 611 27 917 303 595 9 597 4 039 939
2022 4 898 063 32 100 25 882 185 731 440 5 142 216
1996 4 406 046 7 632 5 645 126 012 - 4 545 335
2001 4 844 360 9 814 8 867 132 420 - 4 995 462
Limpopo
2011 5 224 754 14 415 17 881 139 359 8 459 5 404 868
2022 6 341 601 18 409 35 958 167 524 7 172 6 570 664
1996 31 127 631 3 600 446 1 045 596 4 434 697 - 40 208 369
2001 35 416 166 3 994 505 1 115 467 4 293 640 - 44 819 778
South Africa
2011 41 000 938 4 615 401 1 286 930 4 586 838 280 454 51 770 560
2022 50 486 856 5 052 349 1 697 506 4 504 252 247 353 61 988 314
Note:
- Unspecified cases for population group in Censuses 1996 and 2022 are excluded.
- Category “Other” population group was not included in the 1996 and 2001
Census 2022
Table 2.4 shows the population group distribution by province in South Africa, 1996–2022. The results show
that the black African population remains the biggest population group across all provinces since 1996. The
black African population was highest in Gauteng (12 765 312) and KwaZulu-Natal (10 535 830), and lowest in
the Northern Cape province (679 383). The highest number of the coloured population was in the Western
Cape over time; proportionally, they also remained the highest in the Western Cape at 42% in 2022, although
they declined from 56% in 1996. The largest concentration of the white population group was recorded in
Gauteng province (1 509 800) followed by the Western Cape (1 217 807) in 2022. However, the proportion of
the white population declined gradually within each province over time; for instance, the white population
constituted 22% of the population in Gauteng in 1996, but declined to only 10% in that province in 2022. It was
21,4% of the Western Cape population in 1996 and declined to just above 16% of the total population in that
province in 2022. The total number of the Indian/Asian population recorded in 2022 was 1 697 505;
provincially, the highest number of the Indian/Asian population remains in KwaZulu-Natal (1 157 542) followed
by Gauteng (329 736). This population group remained steady within these two provinces at just below 10%
in KwaZulu-Natal and only 2% of the Gauteng population.
Figure 2.3: Percentage distribution by population group, Census 1996–2022
100
80
60
%
40
20
-
1996 2001 2011 2022
Black African 77.4 79 79.2 81.4
Coloured 9.0 8.9 8.9 8.2
Indian or Asian 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.7
White 11.0 9.6 8.9 7.3
Other - - 0.5 0.4
Figure 2.3 presents the percentage distribution of population groups in South Africa for Census 1996 to 2022.
The results show that eight in ten South Africans were black African, and less than one in ten were white in
2022. The black Africans remained the highest population group, increasing from 77% recorded in 1996 to
81,4% in 2022. On the other hand, the white population group declined from 11% in 1996 to 7,3% in 2022.
The Indian/Asian population group remained below 3% across the four censuses, while the coloured
population constituted 8,2% of the population in 2022.
Census 2022
2.4 Age and sex structure
The age and sex subsection deals with distribution of the population over time based on 5-year age groups. It
compares the age and sex structures of 1996, 2001, 2011, with that of 2022 to show shifts that occurred over
time.
Figure 2.4: Distribution patterns of the population by 5-year age groups, Census 2011 and 2022
12.0
10.0
8.0
% 6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
0-4 5-9 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 - 35 - 40 - 45 - 50 - 55 - 60 - 65 - 70 - 75 - 80 - 85 +
14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79 84
5-year age group
2011 2022
Figure 2.4 shows the distribution of the population by 5-year age groups between Census 2011 and 2022. The
results show a dip in the age groups 5–9 and 15–19 years in 2022. The results also show lower proportions of
the population among those in the age groups 10–14 and 25–29, and higher proportions for the age groups
30–34 to 45–49 years in 2022 compared to 2011. Additionally, there is a higher proportion of the population
among those in the age cohorts 50–54 to 75–79 years in 2022 compared to 2011.
Census 2022
Table 2.5: Distribution of the population by 5-year age groups and sex, Census 2022
Numbers %
Age group Male Female Total Male Female Total
0–4 2 918 292 2 915 222 5 833 515 50,0 50,0 100,0
5–9 2 561 963 2 547 141 5 109 104 50,1 49,9 100,0
10–14 2 713 448 2 690 676 5 404 124 50,2 49,8 100,0
15–19 2 504 677 2 470 633 4 975 309 50,3 49,7 100,0
20–24 2 670 986 2 638 753 5 309 738 50,3 49,7 100,0
25–29 2 825 292 2 907 947 5 733 239 49,3 50,7 100,0
30–34 2 776 212 2 816 611 5 592 823 49,6 50,4 100,0
35–39 2 596 891 2 625 711 5 222 603 49,7 50,3 100,0
40–44 2 089 077 2 096 144 4 185 220 49,9 50,1 100,0
45–49 1 586 698 1 706 813 3 293 511 48,2 51,8 100,0
50–54 1 277 910 1 491 229 2 769 139 46,1 53,9 100,0
55–59 1 100 778 1 395 674 2 496 452 44,1 55,9 100,0
60–64 912 280 1 183 387 2 095 667 43,5 56,5 100,0
65–69 672 433 927 238 1 599 671 42,0 58,0 100,0
70–74 419 393 626 614 1 046 006 40,1 59,9 100,0
75–79 238 713 413 321 652 033 36,6 63,4 100,0
80–84 132 074 262 740 394 814 33,5 66,5 100,0
85+ 81 640 232 892 314 532 26,0 74,0 100,0
Total 30 078 757 31 948 746 62 027 503 48,5 51,5 100,0
Census 2022. Overall, the data indicate that in 2022, 48,5% of the population was male while 51,5% was
female. The result also shows a higher distribution among the younger and youthful age cohorts compared to
the elderly age cohorts. A slightly higher number of males were observed at ages 0–4 years, while the number
of females was higher than males at advanced ages, showing a typical declining proportion of males with
advancing age compared to that of females.
Census 2022
Table 2.6: Percentage distribution of the population by 5-year age groups and province, Census 2022
Province
South
Age group WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP Africa
0–4 7,9 10,0 9,5 8,9 9,3 10,3 8,6 10,6 11,5 9,4
5–9 7,0 9,2 9,0 8,5 8,6 8,8 6,9 8,8 10,1 8,2
10–14 7,5 10,2 9,3 9,3 9,3 9,2 7,1 9,1 10,1 8,7
15–19 7,2 9,2 9,2 8,7 8,6 8,4 6,8 8,2 8,6 8,0
20–24 8,7 7,8 8,5 8,3 8,5 8,5 9,1 9,0 8,0 8,6
25–29 9,4 8,1 8,0 8,4 9,2 8,5 10,5 9,5 8,4 9,2
30–34 9,2 7,2 7,6 8,4 9,1 8,4 10,7 9,2 7,6 9,0
35–39 9,1 6,8 7,1 8,0 8,5 7,9 9,9 8,3 6,8 8,4
40–44 7,5 5,6 6,3 6,5 6,5 6,6 7,9 6,3 5,6 6,7
45–49 5,8 4,9 5,5 5,3 5,0 5,3 5,7 5,1 5,0 5,3
50–54 5,2 4,4 5,1 4,7 4,1 4,4 4,6 4,2 4,2 4,5
55–59 4,5 4,3 4,4 4,4 3,8 4,1 3,8 3,7 4,0 4,0
60–64 3,8 4,1 3,7 3,7 3,2 3,5 3,1 2,9 3,3 3,4
65–69 2,8 3,2 2,8 2,9 2,6 2,5 2,3 2,2 2,5 2,6
70–74 2,0 2,1 1,7 1,8 1,7 1,6 1,4 1,3 1,7 1,7
75–79 1,3 1,3 1,1 1,1 1,0 1,0 0,9 0,8 1,1 1,1
80–84 0,7 0,9 0,6 0,6 0,6 0,6 0,5 0,5 0,8 0,6
85 + 0,5 0,7 0,4 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,4 0,4 0,8 0,5
Total 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Table 2.6 presents the proportional distribution of the population by 5-year age groups and province for Census
2022. The results indicate that those in the age group 0–4 (9,4%), 25–29 (9,2%) and 30–34 years (9%) had
the highest proportions nationally, while those in the age groups 80–84 and 85+ were the lowest. Furthermore,
Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Western Cape recorded the highest proportion among those in the youthful ages
25–34 years at almost similar proportions, ranging between 8,7% and 10,5%. The Eastern Cape province
(10,2%) reported the highest proportion among those in the age group 10–14 years, while Limpopo (10,1%)
reported the same proportion among those in the age group 5–9 and 10–14 years respectively, and 11,5%
among the youngest age group. Overall, the results show that the South African population remains relatively
young and youthful, with the majority concentrated in the age groups 0–39 years.
Census 2022
Figure 2.5: Percentage distribution of the population by population group and 5-year age groups,
Census 2022
12.0
10.0
8.0
% 6.0
4.0
2.0
5-year age group
Black African Coloured Indian/Asian White
The distribution of the population groups by 5-year age groups is presented in Figure 2.5; it indicates that black
Africans have the highest proportion of the population among those aged 0-34 years, while the white population
group has the lowest in the same ages. The white population shows the highest proportion of older persons
(50–85+) among all the population groups. The Indian/Asian population group had the highest proportion of
persons aged between 35 and 44 years.
A population structure or pyramid provides a consolidated picture of the age-sex distribution and composition
of a population. Figures 2.6 to 2.7 below demonstrate the comparison of Census 2022 to the three previous
censuses (1996, 2001 and 2011).
Census 2022
Figure 2.6: Population structure of South Africa, Census 1996 and 2022
Census 1996 (blue shaded) and Census 2022 (transparent)

85+
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69 Male Female
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
Age
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
-8.0 -6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
Proportions
Female (2022) Male (2022) Female (1996) Male (1996)
Figure 2.6 shows a comparison between the 1996 and 2022 age structure. A fairly large proportion of persons
at younger ages (0–24 years) are observed in 1996 compared to 2022. Furthermore, the results indicate a
substantial decrease in the proportion of younger persons in 2022, while a steady increase is observed in ages
25 and older compared to the 1996 distribution. This is indicative of a fairly young population in 1996, which
started to shift upward in 2022.
Census 2022

85+
80-84
75-79
70-74 Male Female
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
Age
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
Proportions
Figure 2.7 shows a comparison between the population structure in 2001 and 2022 censuses. It depicts a
picture that is almost similar to the one shown in Figure 2.6 above. However, when comparing Census 2001
and 2022 the proportion of persons aged 5–19 years in 2022 show substantial decreases for both sexes. An
upward shift from younger ages in 2001 to older ages (25+) in 2022 is also observed.
Census 2022

85+
80-84
75-79
70-74 Male Female
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
Age
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
-8.0 -6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
Proportions
Figure 2.8 shows the comparison of the age-sex structure between 2011 and 2022. The results indicate a
larger proportion of children aged 0–4 in 2011 compared to 2022, while the overall shapes of the two structures
depict a similar shape; ages between 5–9 and 15–34 remain larger in 2011 than in 2022. The proportion of
females aged 10–14 is the same between the two censuses while there is a slight difference in the proportion
of males in the same age group, where 2011 remained higher than the 2022 distribution. The 2022 distribution
of persons in the ages 30–74 is slightly higher in 2022 compared to 2011.
2.5 Sex ratio
As a key measure of sex composition, the sex ratio gives the number of males for every 100 females in the
population. A sex ratio above 100 indicates more males than females in the population, and a sex ratio below
100 indicates the opposite. Generally, the sex ratio at birth is high and declines with increasing age.
Census 2022
Table 2.7: Sex ratio by province, Census 1996–2022
Census year
Province 1996 2001 2011 2022
Western Cape 95,8 94,0 96,4 94,0
Eastern Cape 85,9 86,2 89,0 90,0
Northern Cape 94,5 93,7 97,3 93,0
Free State 97,2 92,1 93,8 90,4
KwaZulu-Natal 88,2 87,7 90,5 91,0
North West 97,7 99,1 102,9 98,2
Gauteng 103,7 101,1 101,8 101,8
Mpumalanga 93,0 91,0 95,6 92,4
Limpopo 84,5 83,4 87,6 89,2
South Africa 92,7 91,7 94,8 94,1
Table 2.7 presents sex ratios by province, Census 1996–2022. Overall, lower sex ratios were observed across
all four South African censuses. The results also show a slight increase in sex ratio from 93 in 1996 to 94 in
2022 nationally. Gauteng was the only province that recorded sex ratios above 100 across the four censuses.
North West was the only other one with a sex ratios of above 100 but only (102,9) in 2011. Migration factors
may be associated with the provincial sex ratio variation. For examples, the high number of males in the
Gauteng province and the lower number in Limpopo and Eastern Cape in particular, the Limpopo province
recorded the lowest sex ratio between 1996 and 2022, followed by Eastern Cape province at 85,9 in 1996 and
90,0 in the 2022 census.
Figure 2.9: Sex ratio by population group, Census 1996–2022
104
102
100
98
Sex ratio
96
94
92
90
88
86
84
1996 92 94 96 95
2001 91 93 96 94
2011 94 93 101 95
2022 94 91 102 94
Figure 2.9 shows the sex ratio by population group, Census 1996–2022. The results show consistently more
female domination for all population groups, with the exception of the Indian/Asian population in 2011 (101)
and 2022 (102). The sex ratio decreased slightly among the coloured population, from 94 in 1996 to 91 in
2022. The white population group shows a slight decrease from 95 to 94, while the black African sex ratio
remained consistent at 94 between 2011 and 2022.
Census 2022
Figure 2.10: Sex ratio by 5-year age groups, Census 1996–2022
120
100
80
Sex ratio
60
40
20
0
10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 - 35 - 40 - 45 - 50 - 55 - 60 - 65 - 70 - 75 - 80 -
0-4 5-9 85 +
14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79 84
1996 100 100 98 96 93 93 91 94 93 94 90 83 65 67 68 60 53 46
2001 100 100 99 97 96 93 91 88 89 86 89 85 72 63 58 59 50 41
2011 102 101 104 100 101 101 102 97 91 84 84 82 79 72 65 52 45 42
2022 100 101 101 101 101 97 99 99 100 93 86 79 77 73 67 58 50 34
Generally, the sex ratio is expected to decrease as age increases. Figure 2.10 shows sex ratios by 5-year age
groups, Census 1996–2022. The expected pattern was observed, with declining sex ratios with increasing age
for all four censuses. The results also show that across the four censuses, sex ratios for ages 0 to 9 were 100
and above, and until ages 30–34 in 2011 and for 20–24 years in 2022. The result also suggests that there are
more males than females up to the age group 20–24, and with the exception of 40–44 years, more females
than males in other age groups, which is consistent with expectations.
2.6 Median age
The median age measures the age above which one-half of the population is located and below which the
other half is located. It provides an indication of whether the population is young, intermediate or old.
Census 2022
Figure 2.11: Median age by province, Census 1996–2022
35
30
25
20
Median age
15
10
0
Western Eastern Norther Free KwaZul North Gauten Mpumal Limpop
SA
Cape Cape n Cape State u Natal West g anga o
1996 26 19 24 24 21 22 27 20 17 22
2001 26 20 24 24 21 23 27 21 18 23
2011 28 22 25 25 22 25 27 23 21 25
2022 31 27 27 28 28 27 30 27 26 28
Figure 2.11 shows the median age by province for Census 1996 to 2022. The results indicate that over time
the median ages increased consistently, from 22 years in 1996 to 28 years in 2022, an overall increase of six
years since 1996. All provinces recorded an increase in median age over the years, especially between 2011
and 2022. The Western Cape (31 years) and Gauteng (30 years) maintained median ages above the national
median age across all four censuses, while Limpopo (26 years) recorded the lowest in 2022. Eastern Cape,
KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo showed the highest increases between 2011 and 2022 at a range
between four and six years.
Figure 2.12: Median age by population group, Census 1996–2022
50
40
Median age
30
20
10
0
1996 21 23 26 33
2001 22 24 29 35
2011 21 26 32 38
2022 27 30 37 45
Census 2022
Figure 2.12 presents the median age by population group for Census 1996 to 2022. The results show that
median ages gradually increased among all population groups over the years. This shows an increase ranging
between four and seven years across the different population groups in this period. The median age of the
white population group reflects an ageing population, while black Africans remain relatively younger. The
median age increased from 21 to 27 years among black Africans and from 38 to 45 years among the white
population between 2011 and 2022, while coloured and Indian/Asian populations increased from 26 to 30
years and 32 to 37 years, respectively over the same period.
2.7 Marital status
The question on marital status is asked from all persons aged 12 years and older at the time of the census. It
is an important indicator of the circumstances of individuals in relation to other demographic factors such as
fertility and socio-economic variables. Marital status also provides an understanding of marital trends and
family formation and dissolution.
Figure 2.13: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older and marital status,
Census 2011 and 2022
54.0
Never married
62.2
4.6
Widowed
4.0
0.8
Separated, but still legally married
0.4
1.5
Divorced
1.6
9.2
Living together like husband and wife/partners
7.8
Legally married (include 29.9

customary,traditional,religious,etc.) 24.0
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0
2011 2022
Figure 2.13 shows the distribution of person by marital status for 2011 and 2022. The results indicate an 8,2
percentage point increase among never married persons between 2011 and 2022. On the other hand, there
has been a decrease in the proportion of persons who are legally married between 2011 (29,9%) and 2022
(24%). A slight decrease is also seen in the proportion of person who are living together like husband and
wife/partners; from 9,2% in 2011 to 7,8% in 2022. The proportion of those who are widowed, separated or
separated, but still legally married remained relatively unchanged.
Census 2022
Figure 2.144: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older by province and marital status, Census 2022
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
% 40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Western Eastern Northern KwaZulu- Mpumalan South
Free State North West Gauteng Limpopo
Cape Cape Cape Natal ga Africa
Never married 50.6 64.2 60.5 57.3 70.9 64.4 58.4 67.9 63.0 62.2
Legally married 33.8 24.0 23.1 24.4 19.8 21.0 25.0 19.3 23.4 24.0
Living together like partners 7.8 4.0 9.0 9.6 4.8 8.7 10.7 8.7 8.3 7.8
Divorced 3.0 1.5 1.8 1.9 1.0 1.5 2.1 0.8 0.8 1.6
Separated, but still legally married 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.4
Widowed 4.3 5.8 5.0 6.1 3.3 4.0 3.3 3.0 4.2 4.0
Note: Excludes population aged younger than 12 years.
Figure 2.14 presents the provincial distribution of persons aged 12 years and older by marital status. Nationally, the results indicate that almost two-thirds of the
population have never been married while one in every five persons was legally married. Furthermore, the results show that KwaZulu-Natal has the largest proportion
of those who indicated that they have never been married (71%), followed by Mpumalanga at 68%, while the Western Cape has the lowest proportion at 51%. On the
other hand, a third of the population in Western Cape was legally married at the time of the census, which is the highest proportion in the country, followed by Gauteng
where one in every four persons indicated that they were married. Additionally, the highest proportion of divorcees was recorded in the Western Cape (3%), followed
by Gauteng (2,1%), while Limpopo and Mpumalanga had the lowest, both at less than a per cent. The highest proportion of those who are widowed were found in
Free State and Eastern Cape at 6,1% and 5,8%, respectively.
Census 2022
Figure 2.155: Percentage distribution of the population aged 12 years and older by marital status and
population group, Census 2022
Other 45.7 41.2 7.5 2.5 2.6
White 25.5 54.8 6.1 5.7 7.3

Population group
Indian/Asian 37.0 48.5 3.2 3.1 7.5
Coloured 52.7 30.2 7.7 3.2 5.6
Black African 68.0 19.2 8.1 1.0 3.4
Total 62.2 24.0 7.8 1.6 4.0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Never married % Legally married

Living together like husband and wife/partners Divorced
Separated, but still legally married Widowed
The black African population has the highest proportion of never married persons and the lowest proportion of those
who are legally married in the country, as shown in Figure 2.15. On the other hand, the opposite is true among the
white population where the highest proportion amongst the married and the lowest never married is observed.
Furthermore, the Indian/Asian population has the highest proportion of widowed persons (7,5%) while the white
population has the highest proportion of those divorced (5,7%).
Census 2022
Figure 2.166: Percentage distribution of the population by marital status and age group, Census 2022
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
% 50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
-
12-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+
Age groups
Legally married Living together like husband and wife/partners Divorced Separated, but still legally married Widowed Never married
Figure 2.16 presents the percentage distribution of the population by marital status and age group, Census 2022. The results show a decrease in the never married
population and an increase among those legally married as age increases. It is observed that more than nine in every ten of those aged 12–14 were never married,
while close to half (48,7%) in the age group 55–59 were legally married in 2022. The never married proportion decreased from 98,8% among those aged 12–14 to
40,9% among those aged 45–49. The proportion legally married increases from below one percentage point among those aged 12–14 years to 48,7% among those
aged 55–59 and was 50,5% among those aged 70–74 years in 2022.The proportion of those who reported being widowed increased from 0,3% among those aged
25–29 to 46,3% among those aged 85+. Although slightly lower, the results also show that those living together like husband and wife/partners were concentrated in
the youthful ages. Overall, the results suggest that the majority of the population are never married across all ages.
Census 2022
2.8 Language most often spoken in the household
Table 2.8 profiles dynamics in language most often spoken by households over the period 1996–2022.
Table 2.8: Population distribution by language spoken most often in the household, Census 2022
Census year
Language 1996 2001 2011 2022
Afrikaans 14,5 13,4 13,5 10,6
English 8,7 8,3 9,7 8,7
IsiNdebele 1,5 1,6 2,1 1,7
IsiXhosa 17,9 17,6 16,0 16,3
IsiZulu 22,8 23,8 22,7 24,4
Sepedi 9,2 9,4 9,0 10,0
Sesotho 7,7 7,9 7,6 7,8
Setswana 8,2 8,2 8,0 8,3
Sign language - - 0,5 0,02
SiSwati 2,5 2,7 2,5 2,8
Tshivenda 2,2 2,3 2,4 2,5
Xitsonga 4,4 4,4 4,5 4,7
Other 0,6 0,5 1,6 2,1
Total 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Note: Excludes population aged younger than 1. Sign language data not available for 1996 and 2001.
Results presented in Table 2.8 show that isiZulu remained the most spoken language in the country,
constituting almost a quarter (24,4%), followed by isiXhosa (16,3%) and Afrikaans (10,6%). The findings
showed a downward trend in persons who speak Afrikaans (from 14,5% in 1996 to 10,6% in 2022), followed
by isiXhosa speakers. The proportion of persons who speak English, Xitsonga and Tshivenda remained
relatively stable. The results further showed that less than 1% of the population communicated using sign
language in both Censuses 2011 and 2022. Sign language was promulgated as South Africa’s 12th official
language in July 2023. As such, it is recognised by law as one of the official languages.
Census 2022
Table 2.9: Percentage distribution by language spoken most often in the household and province,
Census 2022
Province
Language WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP SA
Afrikaans 41,2 9,6 54,6 10,3 1,0 5,2 7,7 3,2 2,3 10,6
English 22,0 4,8 2,4 1,5 14,4 1,0 9,2 1,5 1,0 8,7
IsiNdebele 0,2 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,4 3,1 9,9 1,1 1,7
IsiXhosa 31,4 81,8 4,5 5,5 3,1 4,8 6,7 1,0 0,2 16,3
IsiZulu 0,4 0,3 0,3 3,7 80,0 1,6 23,1 27,8 0,6 24,4
Sepedi 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,2 0,1 2,1 12,6 10,3 55,5 10,0
Sesotho 1,0 2,4 1,2 72,3 0,6 5,9 13,1 2,3 0,8 7,8
Setswana 0,1 0,0 35,7 5,3 0,0 72,8 10,4 1,6 1,4 8,3
Sign language 0,01 0,01 0,02 0,01 0,01 0,03 0,02 0,02 0,02 0,02
SiSwati 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,2 0,9 30,5 0,3 2,8
Tshivenda 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,1 0,0 0,4 2,4 0,2 17,4 2,5
Xitsonga 0,2 0,1 0,1 0,2 0,0 3,1 7,0 10,6 17,3 4,7
Khoi, Nama &
San languages 0,00 0,01 0,17 0,01 0,00 0,01 0,01 0,01 0,01 0,01
Shona 2,0 0,5 0,4 0,3 0,3 1,6 2,1 0,6 1,6 1,2
Chichewa/Chewa,
Nyanja/Chinyanja 0,5 0,1 0,1 0,0 0,2 0,2 0,6 0,1 0,0 0,3
Portuguese 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,3 0,0 0,2
Other 0,7 0,4 0,3 0,3 0,2 0,3 0,7 0,3 0,4 0,4
Total 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Note: Excludes population aged younger than 1 year.
Looking at the provinces and given our history of geographical disaggregation by ethnic and tribal
backgrounds, it is expected that each province has a dominant spoken language. The results show that in
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, four out of every five persons speak isiZulu and isiXhosa, respectively.
Furthermore, more than 70% of the population in Free State and North West speak Sesotho and Setswana,
respectively. In the Western Cape, two out of every five persons speak Afrikaans.
Results on other specified languages included in Census 2022 showed that about 1% were Shona speakers.
Provincial variations showed that Western Cape, Gauteng and North West provinces recorded proportions
above the national average (2% and 1,6% respectively).
Census 2022
2.9 Religious affiliation/belief
Table 2.10 below presents the percentage distribution of the population by religious affiliation/belief, Census
2022. The results show that the majority of the population reported Christianity (85,3%) as their chosen
affiliation/belief, followed by Traditional African religion (7,8%). On the other hand, 2,9% of the population
reported that they have no religious affiliation/belief. These proportions suggest that more than four in five
persons in the population believe in Christianity, while relatively close to one in ten persons practise Traditional
African religion. A high proportion of Christianity was also observed in all provinces in the country. The highest
proportion was observed in the Northern Cape (97,8%), followed by North West (95,5%) and Free State
(92,7%), while KwaZulu-Natal (74,9%) reported the lowest. The highest proportion of Traditional African
religion (13,6%), Hinduism (4,2%) and no religious affiliation/belief (3,4%) was reported in KwaZulu-Natal. The
Western Cape province reported the highest proportion of the population that are affiliated to Islam (5,2%) in
South Africa in 2022.
Table 2.10: Percentage distribution of population by religious affiliation/belief, Census 2022

Religious belief/
affiliation WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP SA
Christianity 85,6 86,1 97,8 92,7 74,9 95,5 86,1 89,1 86,8 85,3
Islam 5,2 0,6 0,8 0,5 1,9 0,3 1,6 0,5 0,5 1,6
Traditional African 5,3 11,0 0,7 4,9 13,6 2,3 6,0 7,8 6,3 7,8
Hinduism 0,2 0,1 0,0 0,0 4,2 0,0 0,7 0,1 0,0 1,1
Buddhism 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0
Judaism 0,2 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,1
Atheism 0,3 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,2 0,0 0,0 0,1
Agnosticism 0,3 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,1 0,0 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,1
No religious
affiliation 2,0 1,3 0,3 1,3 3,4 1,2 4,1 1,8 5,1 2,9
Other 0,8 0,6 0,4 0,4 1,8 0,5 1,1 0,6 1,1 1,0
Total 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Note: Totals may not add up to 100 because of smaller figures that do not appear as a result of the one decimal place.
Figure 2.17 presents the percentage distribution of the population by population group and religious
affiliation/belief for Census 2022. The results indicate that more than four out of every five persons in the white,
black African and coloured population groups identify as Christian, while only a third of Indians/Asians identified
as Christians. Furthermore, the Indian/Asian population has the highest proportion of persons who followed
Islam and Hinduism than any other population group in the country.
Census 2022
Figure 2.17: Percentage distribution of the population by population group and religious affiliation/
belief, Census 2022
White
Population group
Indian/Asian
Coloured
Black African
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Christianity 86.0 91.7 33.6 90.1
Islam 0.3 6.9 24.5 0.3
Traditional African 9.5 0.3 0.2 0.1
Hinduism 0.0 0.1 37.9 0.1
Buddhism 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.1
Judaism 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.7
Atheism 0.1 0.0 0.2 1.0
Agnosticism 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.8
No religious affiliation/belief 3.0 0.5 0.9 4.9
Other 0.9 0.4 1.9 2.0
2.10 Conclusion
The population of South Africa increased from 40,5 million in 1996 to just over 62 million in 2022; an increase
of over 21,4 million people in 26 years. Black Africans remain consistently the dominant population group at a
proportion of more than 80%, followed by the coloured and white populations at 8,2% and 7,3% in 2022,
respectively. On the other hand, the Indian/Asian population comprised less than 3% of the population over
the years. The age-sex structure indicates some decline in the ages between 0 and 29 years when compared
to the 2011 distribution. The sex ratio in the country decreased from 98,8 in 2011 to 94,1 in 2022. Gauteng
reported the highest ratio at 101,8 in 2022, suggesting that there are more males than females in the province
compared to the other provinces.
Furthermore, the median age in the country was 28 years in 2022, showing an increase of three years from
25 years in 2011. It was highest in the Western Cape and lowest in Limpopo at 31 and 26 years, respectively.
The median age of the white population was 45 years while that of the black African population was 27 years
in 2022. The majority (62,2%) of the population has never been married, while 24% indicated that they are
legally married.
Census 2022
3. MIGRATION
3.1 Introduction
Migration is the third component of demographic change in addition to fertility and mortality. Objective 1 of the
Global Compact for Migration (GCM) begins with a commitment to collect and utilise accurate and
disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies. The importance of collecting migration data is
critical for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17.18 which highlights the need for
the availability of timely and reliable data that are disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity,
migratory status, disability, and other characteristics of national relevance. Additionally, the National
Development Plan 2030 (NDP) further emphasises the importance of developing a progressive migration
policy.
Census 2022 defined migration as “a change in a person’s permanent or usual place of residence”. The
migration module includes questions on citizenship, place of birth, country of birth, year moved to South Africa,
usual residence, place of usual residence, movement since 2011 and reasons for moving.
3.2 Interprovincial migration, Census 2011 to 2022
Intercensal migration analysis looks at migration flows between censuses (in this case between Censuses
2011 and 2022). Table 3.1 presents an analysis on place of residence in the previous census compared to the
current census. It is observed that the Western Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga
provinces showed positive net-migration. This means that more people migrated into these provinces than
migrated out. Limpopo recorded the largest negative net-migration, followed by Eastern Cape.
Census 2022
Table 3.1: Distribution of population by province of usual residence and province of previous residence, Census 2011 and 2022
Province Province of usual residence
of
previous In- Out- Net-
residence WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP migration migration migration Turn over
WC 6 706 820 60 082 8 916 3 564 7 615 2 400 25 780 1 825 2 338 406 549 112 520 294 029 519 069
EC 124 225 6 792 242 2 823 8 051 38 941 10 226 54 323 5 153 3 100 184 213 246 842 -62 629 431 055
NC 11 098 2 751 1 272 160 3 738 1 046 5 198 6 576 897 978 44 376 32 282 12 094 76 658
FS 12 823 7 457 5 339 2 778 654 5 200 9 879 36 289 3 940 2 594 73 643 83 521 -9 878 157 164
KZN 25 730 21 091 1 358 6 337 11 793 136 3 835 100 052 17 505 3 342 169 183 179 250 -10 067 348 433
NW 8 344 4 935 9 249 6 478 2 578 3 522 544 56 780 3 184 7 439 146 262 98 987 47 275 245 249
GP 97 972 46 820 8 184 24 183 53 810 58 128 13 734 733 42 394 64 486 795 330 395 977 399 353 1 191 307
MP 8 176 3 922 1 325 3 956 9 154 5 796 70 811 4 852 153 16 669 132 459 119 809 12 650 252 268
LP 7 540 3 457 1 510 2 629 3 495 14 424 161 877 20 342 6 197 192 100 946 215 274 -114 328 316 220
Outside
SA 110 641 33 698 5 672 14 707 47 344 36 376 282 842 37 219 50 411
Note: This table excludes cases where the province was unspecified, not applicable and do not know. Information only obtained from household questionnaire.
3.3 Lifetime migration
The question on “place of usual residence and place of birth” provide valuable insights into lifetime migration. Table 3.2 focuses on lifetime migration.
Gauteng (5 188 286) recorded the largest lifetime in-migration, followed by the Western Cape (2 043 626) while the Eastern Cape and Limpopo recorded
the largest out-migration. Among persons migrating into Gauteng, a high number of them indicated that they were born in Limpopo (1 378 304) and
outside South Africa (1 185 925). A high number of persons migrating from Eastern Cape indicated Western Cape (1 134 674) and Gauteng (495 494)
as their destination. Half of all international migrants (50,2%) were residing in Gauteng, followed by about 16% in the Western Cape province.
Census 2022
Table 3.2: Distribution of the population by province of birth and province of usual residence, Census 2022
Province of Province of usual residence

place of In- Out- Net-
birth WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP migration migration migration Turn over
WC 5 163 398 115 102 28 411 12 319 25 617 7 634 98 519 9 309 6 326 2 043 626 303 237 1 740 389 2 346 863
EC 1 134 674 6 696 087 15 144 48 160 194 489 74 077 495 494 34 509 13 312 431 883 2 009 859 -1 577 976 2 441 742
NC 76 481 16 285 1 188 256 20 367 9 639 33 074 64 947 6 806 5 050 152 158 232 649 -80 491 384 807
FS 60 247 24 351 21 643 2 626 762 33 047 75 309 349 952 30 991 13 084 278 406 608 624 -330 218 887 030
KZN 89 660 56 258 4 837 24 709 11 626 610 19 457 738 399 86 222 12 509 603 265 1 032 051 -428 786 1 635 316
NW 26 411 8 567 33 906 21 574 12 321 3 086 960 375 556 18 863 24 034 647 671 521 232 126 439 1 168 903
GP 241 313 86 385 19 849 67 767 129 530 187 502 9 513 562 171 217 146 988 5 188 286 1 050 551 4 137 735 6 238 837
MP 24 395 7 635 3 061 10 986 27 604 29 011 501 190 4 434 841 68 381 648 017 672 263 -24 246 1 320 280
LP 21 591 6 489 3 517 8 080 7 722 87 141 1 378 304 149 109 6 046 238 459 831 1 661 953 -1 202 122 2 121 784
Outside SA 368 854 110 811 21 790 64 444 163 296 134 466 1 185 925 140 991 170 147
Note: This table excludes cases where the province was unspecified, not applicable and do not know. Information only obtained from household questionnaire.
Census 2022
3.4 Patterns of migration between Census 1996, 2001, 2011 and 2022
Migration between countries is driven largely by the quest for economic opportunities, political instability and
increasingly, environmental hazards. South Africa is one of the migration destinations on the African continent,
with a historically well-established migration stream.
Figure 3.1: Population born outside South Africa, Census 1996–2022
2,500,000
2,000,000
Numbers in millions
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
-
1996 2001 2011 2022
Frequency 835,216 1,025,076 2,184,408 2,418,197
Census year
Figure 3.1 illustrates the distribution of the population born outside South Africa for Censuses 1996 to 2022.
The results over time show that there has been an increase in the number of the population born outside South
Africa.
Census 2022
Figure 3.2: Distribution of population born outside South Africa by age and sex, Census 2011 and
2022
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
%
6.0
4.0
2.0
-
0-4
5-9
80+
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
5-year age group
2011 Male 2011 Female 2022 Male 2022 Female
Figure 3.2 presents the age and sex distribution of population born outside South Africa for Census 2011 and
2022. The results indicate that there were more male immigrants compared to females. Furthermore, the
prevalent ages of migrants were between ages 20 and 44 years, suggesting that young adults are more likely
to migrate than children and the elderly. In Census 2011, males aged 25–29 reported the highest number of
immigrants with 260 885, whilst in 2022 male immigrants aged 30–34 (235 297) numbered the highest.
Census 2022
3.5 Sending countries
Southern Africa has a long history of intra-regional migration, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Migration was probably the single most important factor tying
together all of the various regional labour markets during the twentieth century (Crush et al, 2005). In the post-apartheid era, these entrenched patterns of migration
have undergone major restructuring, bringing a new migration stream into South Africa (Crush et al, 2005).
Figure 3.3: Top 20 sending countries to South Africa, Census 2011 and 2022
2011 2022
Zimbabwe 672,308 Zimbabwe 1,012,059

Mozambique 393,231 Mozambique 416,564
Lesotho 160,806 Lesotho 227,770
Malawi 86,606 Malawi 198,807
UK 81,720 UK 61,282
Namibia 40,575 Ethiopia 58,131
Swaziland 36,377 Namibia 36,140
India 31,165 India 27,350
Zambia 30,054 Nigeria 24,718
Ethiopia 28,230 Zambia 24,625
Nigeria 26,341 Congo 23,328
Somalia 26,116 Bangladesh 20,894
Congo 26,061 DRC 17,635
DRC 25,630 Somalia 15,838
Germany 20,494 Pakistan 15,006
Bangladesh 19,696 Eswatini 14,624
Pakistan 17,241 Germany 12,139
Portugal 15,626 Botswana 8,976
China 15,071 Ghana 8,038
Botswana 12,316 Portugal 7,615
Census 2022
Figure 3.3 presents the distribution of the top 20 sending countries to South Africa, Census 2011 and 2022.
The top five sending countries remained the same between the two censuses (Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
Lesotho, Malawi, and the United Kingdom). India also maintained the 2011 rank in 2022. Namibia, Eswatini,
Somalia, Portugal and Germany went down the rank in 2022. Countries that moved up the rank were: Ethiopia,
Nigeria, Congo, DRC, Bangladesh, Botswana, and Pakistan. China is the only country that moved out of the
top 20 sending countries in 2022. Whereas Ghana is the new entry into the top 20 sending countries in 2022.
3.6 Conclusion
There has been a slight increase in the population born outside South Africa when comparing Census 2011 to
Census 2022. The majority of immigrants are male and young adults aged 20–44. The results indicated that a
significant number of respondents reported their province of birth as their province of usual residence (non-
migration). Both international migrants and internal migrants indicated Gauteng as their preferred province of
usual residence. A high number of out-migration is reported in Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
The top five sending countries to South Africa were Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the United
Kingdom; these five countries also maintained their rank since 2011.
Census 2022
4. EDUCATION
4.1 Introduction
The Freedom Charter in 1955 and the Bill of Rights in 1996 introduced education as a human right in South
Africa. Post-apartheid South Africa was challenged with the difficulty of integrating the previously marginalised
and oppressed majority of the population into a new education system. These required extensive reforms
through the Reconstruction and Development Programmes (RDP), especially targeting the education sector.
The country needed to develop an integrated system of education and training that provides equal
opportunities to all irrespective of race, sex, class, language, age, religion, geographical location, political or
other affiliations. In the long run, the system was expected to provide qualitative and quantitative improvements
in the outputs of the educational system following the extensive reforms that were made in school curricula,
education policies, norms and standards. Some of the policies introduced over time that have had impact on
enrolments and improvements in the outputs of the educational system especially for previously disadvantaged
population groups include; introduction of no-fee schools, school nutrition programmes, access to scholar
transport and the Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy. Through the early childhood care and
education sector laws, policies and programmes, government made a commitment to the universalisation of
the Reception Year (Grade R) and made it part of the foundation phase of primary education. Government
also moved the responsibility of the provision of the ECD programme from the Department of Social
Development to the Department of Basic Education in 2022.
The results track the progress in education to date including indicators on school attendance, education
attainment and field of education. Where possible, comparison is made across censuses 1996–2022.
4.2 Attendance at an educational institution
Access to educational institutions is an important step to universal education, but the ultimate goal would be
to keep children at school until completion of their education. Considering the relatively high children and youth
population due to the demographic dividends of the country, concerted efforts have been made to expand the
education system through establishing more institutions, especially in the ECD sector, giving much-required
attention to remote and rural areas, introducing new and skill-based programmes in institutions and providing
funding such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for disadvantaged learners planning to
undertake higher education. This section presents attendance and gender parity in education across provinces
and educational phases, which include ECD, primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Census 2022
4.2.1 Education profile of learners aged 0–4 years
Table 4.1: Distribution of the population aged 0–4 years attending an ECD programme by province, Census 2022
Pre-school/
Crèche/ nursery school/ Day mother/ Home/
educare Grade 00/ Grade gogo/ community
Province Number/ % centre 000/ Grade R childminder play group Other None Total
N 250 555 34 163 56 797 49 892 3 969 172 803 568 179
Western Cape
% 44,1 6,0 10,0 8,8 0,7 30,4 100,0
N 241 868 64 024 58 035 30 176 4 384 312 246 710 732
Eastern Cape
% 34,0 9,0 8,2 4,3 0,6 43,9 100,0
N 34 924 4 937 7 020 7 691 586 72 313 127 472
Northern Cape
% 27,4 3,9 5,5 6,0 0,5 56,7 100,0
N 114 149 15 068 23 882 15 336 1 510 88 830 258 774
Free State
% 44,1 5,8 9,2 5,9 0,6 34,3 100,0
N 344 121 87 001 130 335 66 595 8 718 485 703 1 122 472
KwaZulu-Natal
% 30,7 7,8 11,6 5,9 0,8 43,3 100,0
N 107 895 23 874 29 981 19 575 1 946 201 963 385 234
North West
% 28,0 6,2 7,8 5,1 0,5 52,4 100,0
N 506 114 88 190 136 427 82 706 9 574 417 276 1 240 286
Gauteng
% 40,8 7,1 11,0 6,7 0,8 33,6 100,0
N 168 658 36 657 58 224 38 871 3 609 227 387 533 407
Mpumalanga
% 31,6 6,9 10,9 7,3 0,7 42,6 100,0
N 279 581 63 683 69 322 35 881 5 658 286 477 740 602
Limpopo
% 37,8 8,6 9,4 4,8 0,8 38,7 100,0
N 2 047 865 417 598 570 023 346 722 39 954 2 264 998 5 687 159
South Africa
% 36,0 7,3 10,0 6,1 0,7 39,8 100,0
Census 2022
Table 4.1 shows the distribution of children aged 0–4 years who were attending different types of Early
Childhood Development (ECD) programmes in Census 2022. Roughly two-fifths (39,8%) of South African
children aged 0–4 years were not attending any ECD programmes. More than half of children in Northern Cape
and North West were not attending any ECD facilities (56,7% and 52,4% respectively). Furthermore, non-
attendance of ECD programmes is also significant in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga as nearly
two out of five children residing in these provinces did not attend any such programmes. The lowest non-
attendance of ECD programmes were observed in Western Cape and Gauteng as three out of ten (30,4%)
children in Western Cape and almost one-third (33,6%) of children in Gauteng did not attend any ECD
programmes.
Overall in 2022, children aged 0–4 years mostly attended a crèche/educare centre (36%). The largest
percentage of children attending these facilities were residents of Western Cape, Free State and Gauteng
(44,1%, 44,1% and 40,8% respectively). Children in North West were less likely to attend crèche/educare
centres (28%). Attendance of pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade 000/Grade R among 0–4-year-olds
was 7,3% nationally. Limpopo and Eastern Cape showed the highest percentage of attendance of these
facilities (8,6% and 9% respectively). Approximately one out of ten (10%) children spent the day with a day
mother/gogo/childminder while around 6% were cared for at a home/community playgroup. Close to 12% of
children in KwaZulu-Natal were cared for by day mothers/gogos/childminders. Conversely, close to 9% of
children in Western Cape were participating in home/community playgrounds.
Census 2022
Table 4.2: Distribution of the population attending an ECD programme by population group and sex, Census 2022
Black/African Coloured Indian/Asian White Other Total

Attendance at ECD
institution/sex N % N % N % N % N % N %
Crèche/educare centre 1 837 394 60,7 126 997 55,2 15 366 44,6 61 957 50,9 6 151 54 2 047 865 59,8
Pre-school/nursery school/
Grade 00/Grade 000/ Grade R 350 340 11,6 18 750 8,2 7 065 20,5 39 610 32,5 1 834 16,1 417 598 12,2
Day mother/gogo/childminder 512 614 16,9 38 506 16,7 6 767 19,6 10 277 8,4 1 858 16,3 570 022 16,7
Home/community playgroup 289 944 9,6 42 599 18,5 4 458 12,9 8 314 6,8 1 407 12,3 346 722 10,1
Other 34 302 1,1 3 071 1,3 804 2,3 1 624 1,3 152 1,3 39 954 1,2
Total 3 024 593 100 229 924 100 34 460 100 121 782 100 11 401 100 3 422 160 100
Male 1 503 732 49,7 115 507 50,2 17 218 50 63 054 51,8 5 743 50,4 1 705 254 49,8
Female 1 520 861 50,3 114 417 49,8 17 242 50 58 728 48,2 5 658 49,6 1 716 906 50,2
Total 3 024 593 100,0 229 924 100,0 34 460 100,0 121 782 100,0 11 401 100,0 3 422 160 100,0
Table 4.2 presents the percentage of children aged 0–4 years attending ECD programmes by population group and sex. In South Africa, 3,4 million children aged
0–4 years attended ECD programmes in 2022, of which 2,5 million attended a crèche/educare centre or pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade 000/Grade R.
About 570 000 children had parents who preferred that they stay with day mothers/gogos/childminders. The majority of children attending ECD programmes were
attending a crèche/educare centre (59,8%) while 12,2% attended pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade 000/Grade R. Close to 27,0% of children stayed either
with day mothers/gogos/childminders or participated in home/community playgroups. While more than 3 million black African children attended ECD programmes,
seven out of ten (72,3%) attended ECD facilities, with 60,7% attending a crèche/educare centre and 11,6% attending pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade
000/Grade R. By contrast, among white children 83,4% attended ECD facilities with one-third (32,5%) attending pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade 000/Grade
R and the rest attending a crèche/educare centre (50,9%). Close to 17,0% of black African children stayed with day mothers/gogos/childminders. The use of day
mothers/gogos/childminders for childcare was also high among Indians/Asians (19,6%). Among coloured children, close to 19,0% participated in home/community
playgroups. Results showed that there were slight differences between sexes.
Census 2022
4.2.2 General attendance of educational institutions by individuals aged 5–24
Table 4.3: Distribution of population aged 5–24 by school attendance, age and sex, Census 2022
Attendance of educational institutions and sex Attendance of educational institutions and sex
N %
Attending Not attending Attending Not attending
Age
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
5 436 009 432 742 868 752 37 240 34 596 71 836 50,2 49,8 100,0 51,8 48,2 100,0
6 475 030 473 196 948 226 26 006 24 357 50 363 50,1 49,9 100,0 51,6 48,4 100,0
7 496 350 494 014 990 365 22 849 21 926 44 775 50,1 49,9 100,0 51,0 49,0 100,0
8 491 349 491 232 982 581 21 533 20 589 42 122 50,0 50,0 100,0 51,1 48,9 100,0
9 499 293 501 083 1 000 376 21 837 20 270 42 106 49,9 50,1 100,0 51,9 48,1 100,0
10 500 330 496 051 996 380 22 803 21 196 43 998 50,2 49,8 100,0 51,8 48,2 100,0
11 520 457 513 921 1 034 378 24 684 22 616 47 300 50,3 49,7 100,0 52,2 47,8 100,0
12 506 064 506 736 1 012 801 25 615 23 184 48 799 50,0 50,0 100,0 52,5 47,5 100,0
13 513 491 517 765 1 031 256 28 328 25 856 54 184 49,8 50,2 100,0 52,3 47,7 100,0
14 496 287 493 788 990 075 30 207 27 721 57 928 50,1 49,9 100,0 52,1 47,9 100,0
15 490 764 492 805 983 569 37 217 33 824 71 041 49,9 50,1 100,0 52,4 47,6 100,0
16 462 940 453 697 916 637 50 184 45 272 95 456 50,5 49,5 100,0 52,6 47,4 100,0
17 377 358 335 323 712 680 81 573 89 472 171 045 52,9 47,1 100,0 47,7 52,3 100,0
18 264 933 220 984 485 917 151 171 174 797 325 968 54,5 45,5 100,0 46,4 53,6 100,0
19 191 865 171 760 363 625 205 829 217 260 423 089 52,8 47,2 100,0 48,6 51,4 100,0
20 171 858 167 029 338 887 294 288 281 656 575 944 50,7 49,3 100,0 51,1 48,9 100,0
21 147 651 157 942 305 593 367 600 341 118 708 718 48,3 51,7 100,0 51,9 48,1 100,0
22 106 558 122 774 229 333 390 869 367 894 758 763 46,5 53,5 100,0 51,5 48,5 100,0
23 83 009 97 587 180 596 402 937 388 369 791 306 46,0 54,0 100,0 50,9 49,1 100,0
24 71 152 85 389 156 540 424 036 416 548 840 584 45,5 54,5 100,0 50,4 49,6 100,0
Total 7 302 748 7 225 818 14 528 566 2 666 806 2 598 518 5 265 324 50,3 49,7 100,0 50,6 49,4 100,0
Note: Only includes population aged 5–24.
Table 4.3 presents school attendance by age and sex of the population aged 5–24 years. Approximately 14,5 million individuals aged 5–24 years attended school in
2022; 50,3% were males and 49,7% females. The table shows a rising number in school attendance among children, with attendance peaking among 11–13-year-
olds. Furthermore, attendance was almost consistently evenly distributed by gender except among 17–20-year-olds, where fewer females were likely to attend.
However, more females compared to males attended school among the 21–24-year-olds.
Census 2022
Figure 4.1: Percentage distribution of population aged 5–24 years attending an educational institution, Census 1996–2022
100.0
80.0
60.0
%
40.0
20.0
0.0
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
1996 22.5 49.1 73.1 81.8 87.9 91.3 93.6 94.4 94.8 94.4 92.7 89.3 84.1 75.7 65.3 54.6 45.8 37.0 28.8 23.1
2001 45.6 70.3 88.4 93.4 94.6 94.4 94.8 95.7 95.1 94.0 91.3 87.4 81.5 70.7 57.9 46.2 35.7 25.5 18.8 14.0
2011 81.1 92.6 96.0 96.7 97.0 96.7 96.8 96.1 95.8 95.4 93.8 90.8 85.5 74.2 58.8 45.7 34.8 25.3 19.1 14.9
2022 92.4 95.0 95.7 95.9 96.0 95.8 95.6 95.4 95.0 94.5 93.3 90.6 80.6 59.9 46.2 37.0 30.1 23.2 18.6 15.7
The period between 1996 to 2001 showed a large increase in the percentage of young children under the age of compulsory education participating in education
(23,1 percentage points among 5-year-olds and 21,2 percentage points among 6-year-olds). However, it is the decade between 2001 and 2011 that showed an
unprecedented increase in participation among 5-year-olds with a rise of 35,5 percentage points in participation from 45,6% to 81,1%. Furthermore, nearly nine out of
ten (92,4%) children of this age were attending educational institutions in 2022, which is a nearly 70 percentage points increase from 1996. Among 6-year-olds, less
than half (49,1%) were attending educational institutions in 1996 but subsequently increased by 21,2 percentage points in 2001. The data also show high attendance
rates among 6–7-year-olds in 2022, who would most likely be attending Grade R. However, the attendance rate starts to decline by age 15, with only six out of ten
(59,9%) 18-year-olds attending educational institutions in 2022; a reduction from 75,7% in 1996. In 1996 more than half (54,6%) of the 20-year-olds were in education,
which reduced to 37,0% in 2022.
Census 2022
Table 4.4: Distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational institution and population group, Census 1996–2022
Census year Census year
Population Attending/Not N %
group attending 1996 2001 2011 2022 1996 2001 2011 2022
Attending 9 679 923 11 493 118 11 666 898 12 540 302 70,7 72,1 73,9 74,1
Black African Not attending 4 017 558 4 451 494 4 129 937 4 374 885 29,3 27,9 26,1 25,9
Total 13 697 481 15 944 612 15 796 835 16 915 187 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Attending 917 523 1 026 442 1 073 612 1 050 345 64,0 63,6 67,2 65,1
Coloured Not attending 516 631 586 216 524 387 564 272 36,0 36,4 32,8 34,9
Total 1 434 154 1 612 658 1 597 999 1 614 617 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Attending 275 498 277 404 258 186 267 096 70,1 69,3 71,8 69,6
Indian/Asian Not attending 117 421 122 958 101 246 116 416 29,9 30,7 28,2 30,4
Total 392 919 400 362 359 433 383 513 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Attending 883 107 930 929 798 894 639 551 70,6 75,4 77,7 77,4
White Not attending 367 775 303 155 228 994 186 767 29,4 24,6 22,3 22,6
Total 1 250 882 1 234 084 1 027 888 826 319 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Attending - - 40 371 31 271 - - 51,2 57,6
Other Not attending - - 38 547 22 984 - - 48,8 42,4
Total - - 78 917 54 255 - - 100,0 100,0
Attending 11 756 051 13 727 893 13 837 961 14 528 566 70,1 71,5 73,4 73,4
Total Not attending 5 019 385 5 463 823 5 023 110 5 265 324 29,9 28,5 26,6 26,6
Total 16 775 436 19 191 716 18 861 072 19 793 891 100,0 100,0 100,0 100,0
Note: Only includes population aged 5–24. “Other” population group data not available for 1996 and 2001.
Table 4.4 shows the percentage of individuals aged 5–24 years who attended school by population group comparing Census 1996–2022. Overall, the percentage of
individuals attending school increased from 70,1% in 1996 to 73,4% in 2022. However, not much change was observed between 2011 and 2022. The percentage of
black Africans who attended school increased by 3,4 percentage points from 1996 to 2022, coloureds by 1,1 percentage points and whites by 6,8 percentage points.
The number of individuals who were not attending school declined across all population groups from 1996 to 2022. Moreover, the white population group experienced
a substantial decline from 29,4% in 1996 to 22,6% in 2022, and black Africans from 29,3% in 1996 to 25,9% in 2022.
Census 2022
Table 4.5: Distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational institution and province, Census 1996–2022
Census year and attendance at an educational institution Census year and attendance at an educational institution
1996 2001 2011 2022
Not Not Not Not
Province Attending attending Total Attending attending Total Attending attending Total Attending attending Total
WC 929 981 503 245 1 433 226 1 115 946 592 291 1 708 237 1 221 232 601 519 1822751 1 430 441 704 974 2 135 414
EC 2 056 957 780 187 2 837 144 2 269 246 709 976 2 979 222 2 040 311 588 802 2629113 1 957 613 574 760 2 532 372
NC 265 470 147 850 413 320 268 582 138 750 407 332 289 812 128 332 418144 333 658 140 876 474 534
FS 789 642 275 917 1 065 559 827 408 311 266 1 138 674 736 002 270 629 1006631 759 488 229 442 988 930
KZN 2 592 990 1 165 482 3 758 472 3 105 095 1 271 135 4 376 230 3 020 720 1 060 805 4081525 3 055 052 1 059 518 4 114 569
NW 774 687 362 713 1 137 399 840 496 387 494 1 227 990 880 621 369 806 1250427 929 726 347 049 1 276 775
GP 1 769 485 877 249 2 646 734 2 211 107 1 101 145 3 312 251 2 616 530 1 170 802 3787332 2 951 490 1 306 694 4 258 185
MP 1 013 257 390 967 1 404 223 1 140 023 411 596 1 551 619 1 195 535 403 321 1598856 1 261 063 456 992 1 718 055
LP 1 662 673 559 011 2 221 684 1 949 991 540 170 2 490 161 1 837 198 429 095 2266292 1 850 035 445 021 2 295 056
SA 11 855 142 5 062 620 16 917 762 13 727 893 5 463 823 19 191 716 13 837 961 5 023 110 18 861 072 14 528 566 5 265 324 19 793 891
Note: Only includes population aged 5–24.
Census 2022
Figure 4.2: Percentage distribution of population aged 5–24 years by attendance at an educational institution and province, Census 1996–2022
80.0
60.0
%
40.0
20.0
-
WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP SA
1996 64.9 72.5 64.2 74.1 69.0 68.1 66.9 72.2 74.8 70.1
2001 65.3 76.2 65.9 72.7 71.0 68.4 66.8 73.5 78.3 71.5
2011 67.0 77.6 69.3 73.1 74.0 70.4 69.1 74.8 81.1 73.4
2022 67.0 77.3 70.3 76.8 74.3 72.8 69.3 73.4 80.6 73.4
Figure 4.2 depicts individuals aged 5–24 years attending educational institutions by province, 1996–2022. Overall, the percentage of individuals attending educational
institutions increased from 70,1% in 1996 to 71,5% in 2001, but remained steady at 73,4% across both 2011 and 2022. During the past 26 years, the overall growth
in attendance was 3,3 percentage points. In the 5-year period from 1996 to 2001, Limpopo and Eastern Cape accounted for the highest increase in the percentage of
attendance (3,5 and 3,7 percentage points respectively). In Limpopo, the percentage of individuals aged 5–24 years attending educational institutions increased to
78,3% in 2001 from 74,8% in 1996. In Eastern Cape, the percentage of individuals aged 5–24 years attending educational institutions increased to 76,2% in 2001 from
72,5% in 1996. The percentage in attendance remained unchanged for Western Cape, Gauteng and North West during the same period. Furthermore, in the quarter
of the century between 1996 and 2022, the largest growth in attendance was observed in Northern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal (6,1, 5,8 and 5,3 percentage
points respectively). In Free State, the largest rise in attendance was observed during 2011–2022 with the percentage of individuals aged 5–24 years attending
educational institutions increasing by nearly four percentage points, from 73,1% to 76,8%. Across all the census years, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and
Limpopo consistently displayed attendance levels above the national average.
Census 2022
Educational attainment for persons aged 20 years and older
South Africa has geared up to intensify its measures through policy reforms to tackle school dropouts and increase completion of secondary schooling. Post-apartheid
South Africa has experienced an expansion in the completion of secondary schooling for previously disadvantaged population groups. However, race disparity in
educational attainment intersects with other forms of disadvantage, including poverty and the urban-rural divide. This section presents progress in educational
attainment in the past three decades and equity by gender and population group.
Figure 4.3: Percentage distribution for persons aged 20 years and older by educational attainment and province, Census 2022
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
% 25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
-
WC EC NC FS KZN NW GP MP LP RSA
No schooling 2.3 7.2 6.6 5.0 8.3 7.9 3.9 11.7 14.1 6.9
Some primary 6.1 12.2 11.0 9.7 7.9 10.2 4.3 7.4 7.3 7.4
Completed primary 3.8 5.2 5.5 4.1 3.2 4.4 2.5 3.4 3.3 3.5
Some secondary 33.8 37.5 38.5 33.8 28.4 34.0 29.2 29.4 33.1 31.6
Completed secondary 35.4 27.2 30.7 36.5 41.2 35.2 42.9 40.2 31.5 37.6
Post school 17.6 10.0 7.1 10.2 10.4 7.5 16.2 7.3 9.9 12.2
Other 1.1 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.8
Census 2022
Figure 4.3 presents the provincial distribution of persons aged 20 years and older by educational attainment. Mpumalanga and Limpopo had the highest percentage
of persons with no schooling, which was above the national average of 6,9% (11,7% and 14,1% respectively). The lowest percentage of individuals with no schooling
was found in Western Cape (2,3%), followed by Gauteng (3,9%). The majority of individuals aged 20 years and older in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
had completed secondary education, which is also above the national average (42,9%, 41,2% and 40,2% respectively). The lowest percentage of individuals who
completed secondary education was found in Eastern Cape (27,2%). In Western Cape, close to 18% of individuals aged 20 years and older had achieved post-school
education, followed by Gauteng (16,2%).
Table 4.6: Distribution of population aged 20 years and older by educational attainment and province, Census 2022
Province
Educational Western Eastern Northern KwaZulu- North
attainment Cape Cape Cape Free State Natal West Gauteng Mpumalanga Limpopo South Africa
No schooling 107 254 300 119 52 588 87 798 607 121 176 650 384 007 355 682 504 793 2 576 011
Some primary 290 290 506 297 86 758 170 657 582 283 227 774 429 101 224 213 260 924 2 778 297
Completed primary 183 423 217 628 43 460 72 939 236 381 98 718 245 695 101 948 117 534 1 317 726
Some secondary 1 608 270 1 555 626 304 635 595 729 2 085 563 757 218 2 893 113 893 250 1 186 898 11 880 302
Completed
secondary 1 687 258 1 129 546 243 395 643 397 3 034 421 785 636 4 248 386 1 221 825 1 128 816 14 122 681
Post-school 837 320 416 388 56 208 179 313 763 354 166 980 1 606 149 222 321 354 732 4 602 765
Other 50 750 25 559 5 228 13 510 47 205 16 884 92 130 17 698 31 243 300 207
Total 4 764 565 4 151 162 792 272 1 763 343 7 356 329 2 229 861 9 898 581 3 036 936 3 584 940 37 577 988
Note: Only includes population aged 20 and older.
Table 4.6 shows the population distribution for persons aged 20 years and older by highest level of education and province. More than 14,1 million persons aged
20 years and older completed secondary education in 2022, followed by 11,9 million who achieved some secondary education and 4,6 million who attained post-school
education. Close to 2,6 million persons aged 20 years and older had no schooling and 1,3 million had completed primary education.
Census 2022
population group and sex, Census 2022
100.0
80.0
60.0
%
40.0
20.0
0.0
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Black/African Coloured Indian/Asian White Total
Other 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.2 1.0 2.1 1.8 0.8 0.8
Post school 8.2 9.9 8.3 9.5 20.5 21.5 40.1 38.5 11.6 12.8
Completed secondary 38.1 36.5 34.2 33.5 48.0 44.7 40.4 41.8 38.3 36.9
Some secondary 34.3 32.2 39.7 38.5 21.3 20.9 14.8 15.4 32.5 30.8
Completed primary 3.8 3.6 5.5 5.8 1.9 2.6 0.4 0.4 3.6 3.5
Some primary 8.1 8.2 8.5 8.9 3.4 5.7 0.6 0.6 7.2 7.5
No schooling 6.9 9.0 3.0 3.1 3.6 3.8 1.5 1.4 6.0 7.6
Figure 4.4 presents the percentage distribution of the population aged 20 years and older by educational
attainment, population group and sex. In terms of post-school education, the stark results are that disparities
primarily exist among different population groups. For instance, regardless of sex, the White population group
reported the highest percentage of post-school education attainment, followed by Indian/Asian population with
half as much as that for the White population group. However, the notable sex differences appear primarily
within the black African and coloured population groups. Both groups show lower levels of post-school
education, and these levels are nearly comparable between the two population groups.
Also important to note is that the black African and coloured populations tend to be concentrated in some
secondary education level, which may suggest higher dropout rates and limited progression to tertiary
education. Conversely, the White and Indian/Asian population groups are more likely to be concentrated in the
completed secondary school and post-secondary education levels.
Census 2022
Figure 4.5: Percentage distribution of population aged 20 years and older by educational attainment, Census 1996–2022
2022
2011
2001
1996
- 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0
1996 2001 2011 2022
No schooling 19.1 17.9 8.6 6.9
Some primary 16.6 16.0 12.2 7.4
Completed primary 7.4 6.4 4.6 3.5
Some secondary 33.6 30.8 33.8 31.6
Completed secondary 16.3 20.4 28.7 37.6
Post school 7.1 8.4 11.7 12.2
Other - - 0.4 0.8
Figure 4.5 presents the progression in educational attainment of the population aged 20 years and older across the years 1996 to 2022. The percentage of individuals
with no schooling has reduced almost threefold (19,1% in 1996 and 6,9% in 2022). The percentage of individuals with some primary education has reduced by half.
Similarly, completion of primary schooling has decreased by half. Completion of secondary education more than doubled from 16,3% in 1996 to 37,6% in 2022.
However, achievement of post-school education increased by only 5,1 percentage points. In 1996, one-third (33,6%) of the population aged 20 years and older had
only some secondary education and only 16,3% had completed secondary education. However, in 2022 more than one-third (37,6%) had completed secondary
education.
Census 2022
Furthermore, in 2022 functional literacy of the population aged 20 years and older was 85%, up from a low
base of 64,3% in 1996. The largest expansion in functional literacy was observed between 2001 and 2011
(66% and 78,8% respectively).
Census 2022
Census year
Educational attainment 1996 2001 2011 2022
No schooling 4 055 646 4 567 497 2 665 874 2 576 011
Some primary 3 522 956 4 083 742 3 790 134 2 778 297
Completed primary 1 571 774 1 623 467 1 413 895 1 317 726
Some secondary 7 130 121 7 846 125 10 481 577 11 880 302
Completed secondary 3 458 434 5 200 602 8 919 608 14 122 681
Post-school 1 512 602 2 151 336 3 644 617 4 602 765
Other - - 113 586 300 207
Total 21 251 533 25 472 769 31 029 291 37 578 088
Note: Only includes population aged 20 and older. Data for category “other” not available for 1996 and 2001.
Table 4.7 shows the distribution of the population aged 20 years and older by educational attainment for 1996,
2001, 2011 and 2022. The number of individuals aged 20 years and older with no schooling reduced from
4,0 million in 1996, to 2,6 million in 2022.
4.3 Field of education for persons aged 20 years and older
Access to certain fields of study in post-secondary education remains segregated by sex as females are more
likely to earn qualifications in education, while males would most likely qualify in the science, engineering and
technology fields. This section presents progress in fields of education in the past decade.
Census 2022
Table 4.8: Distribution of population aged 20 years and older by field of education and sex, Census 2011 and 2022
Census year and sex
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
Field of education Number %
Agriculture, Agricultural Operations & Related
Sciences 43 968 20 311 64 279 61 403 37 484 98 888 68,4 31,6 100,0 62,1 37,9 100,0
Architecture and the Built Environment 19 994 11 766 31 760 43 439 19 176 62 615 63 37 100,0 69,4 30,6 100,0
Arts (Visual and Performing Arts) 25 655 38 332 63 987 40 467 54 985 95 453 40,1 59,9 100,0 42,4 57,6 100,0
Finance and Accounting 184 865 230 337 415 202 44,5 55,5 100,0
Business, Economics and Management Sciences 365 117 392 518 757 635 271 611 336 407 608 018 48,2 51,8 100,0 44,7 55,3 100,0
Communication, Journalism and Related Studies 18 144 27 904 46 048 34 320 58 819 93 140 39,4 60,6 100,0 36,8 63,2 100,0
Computer and Information Sciences 123 822 92 629 216 452 155 436 97 296 252 732 57,2 42,8 100,0 61,5 38,5 100,0
Education 152 763 350 130 502 893 221 070 577 341 798 411 30,4 69,6 100,0 27,7 72,3 100,0
Engineering 353 645 62 752 416 397 494 401 138 943 633 345 84,9 15,1 100,0 78,1 21,9 100,0
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences 66 235 205 545 271 780 102 605 319 326 421 931 24,4 75,6 100,0 24,3 75,7 100,0
Industrial Arts, Traders or Technology 13 450 6 217 19 667 68,4 31,6 100,0
Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences 2 838 9 974 12 812 3 900 8 230 12 129 22,2 77,8 100,0 32,2 67,9 100,0
Languages, Linguistics or Literature 6 503 15 085 21 588 8 019 19 176 27 195 30,1 69,9 100,0 29,5 70,5 100,0
Law 60 876 42 583 103 459 85 534 80 413 165 946 58,8 41,2 100,0 51,5 48,5 100,0
Life Sciences or Physical Sciences 21 239 23 022 44 261 48 52 100,0
Life Sciences 13 510 22 308 35 818 37,7 62,3 100,0
Physical Sciences 20 077 16 889 36 966 54,3 45,7 100,0
Mathematics and Statistics 10 713 7 354 18 067 12 004 8 453 20 456 59,3 40,7 100,0 58,7 41,3 100,0
Military Sciences 5 124 1 615 6 739 5 261 1 808 7 070 76 24 100,0 74,4 25,6 100,0
Philosophy, Religion and Theology 15 305 5 905 21 210 21 931 11 992 33 923 72,2 27,8 100,0 64,6 35,4 100,0
Physical Education or Leisure 3 838 4 762 8 599 44,6 55,4 100,0
Psychology 12 561 33 165 45 726 15 989 49 951 65 940 27,5 72,5 100,0 24,2 75,8 100,0
Public Management and Services 23 287 34 492 57 779 52 858 85 896 138 753 40,3 59,7 100,0 38,1 61,9 100,0
Office Administration 14 806 71 786 86 591 26 512 102 648 129 160 17,1 82,9 100,0 20,5 79,5 100,0
Social Sciences 22 544 49 480 72 024 22 124 52 315 74 439 31,3 68,7 100,0 29,7 70,3 100,0
Hospitality, including Tourism 24 276 53 548 77 823 36 367 81 790 118 158 31,2 68,8 100,0 30,8 69,2 100,0
Security & Intelligence Services 19 647 8 870 28 517 28 573 13 851 42 425 68,9 31,1 100,0 67,3 32,6 100,0
Electrical Infrastructure 46 600 9 156 55 756 53 131 13 791 66 922 83,6 16,4 100,0 79,4 20,6 100,0
Other 185 795 200 970 386 765 358 695 397 171 755 866 48 52 100,0 47,5 52,5 100,0
Total 1 658 743 1 779 870 3 438 614 2 374 102 2 836 796 5 210 901 48,2 51,8 100,0 45,6 54,4 100,0
Note: Only includes population aged 20 and older. Category “Finance, Economics and Accounting” in 2011 are combined with the category “Business, economics and management science. Life Sciences and Physical Sciences were one category in 2011.
Data for 2022 exclude “Do not know” cases (111 638). Data for “Industrial arts, traders or technology” not available in 2022.
Census 2022
Table 4.8 shows the distribution of the population aged 20 years and older by field of education and sex for 2011 and 2022. More than three million individuals aged
20 years and older reported a field of education in 2011; this has increased to 5,2 million in 2022. The two principal fields of study for both 2011 and 2022 were
business, economics and management sciences, and education. Both fields of study were dominated by females, with wider gender gaps observed in the education
field. The percentage of females with qualifications in education was 69,6% in 2011 and increased to 72,3% in 2022. Males dominated in engineering with 84,9% in
2011 and 78,1% in 2022, as well as electrical infrastructure (83,6% in 2011 and 79,4% in 2022). For both periods, females were more likely to obtain a qualification in
health professions and related clinical sciences (75,6% in 2011 and 75,7% in 2022). The percentage of males who studied computer and information sciences increased
from 57,2% in 2011 to 61,5% in 2022 while the percentage of females declined from 42,8% in 2011 to 38,5% in 2022. Furthermore, the number of individuals with
qualifications in communication, journalism and related studies more than doubled within the decade, from 46 048 in 2011 to 93 140 in 2022. This field of study had
more females in both years (60,6% in 2011 and 63,2% in 2022).
Census 2022
4.4 Conclusion
More than three million children aged 0–4 years participated in ECD programmes. Crèche/educare centre and
pre-school/nursery school/Grade 00/Grade 000/Grade R were the most accessed ECD facilities. Provincial
analysis revealed that children in Northern Cape and North West were more likely not to participate in ECD
programmes compared to other provinces. In addition, differentials in population group show that seven out of
ten black African children attended an ECD programme compared to eight out of ten white children. The use
of day mothers/gogos/childminders for childcare was high among the Indian/Asian population compared to
other population groups. Participation in home/community playgroups was highest amongst coloured children.
Furthermore, an analysis of persons aged 5–24 shows that overall, the percentage of individuals attending an
educational institution increased by three percentage points between 1996 and 2022. Attendance increased
to almost universal level between 1996 and 2022 for children aged 5 years and 6 years, while the attendance
rate starts to decline by age 15–24 over the same period. Attendance also increased for black Africans,
coloureds and whites over the period, while Indians/Asians showed little change.
An analysis of persons aged 20 years and older showed that the number of people with no formal education
reduced from 19,1% in 1996 to 6,9% in 2022. Furthermore, persons aged 20 years and older with some primary
education decreased from 16,6% in 1996 to 7,4% in 2022. Over the period, there has been a noteworthy
increase in the number of persons completing secondary education (16,3% in 1996 to 37,6% in 2022) and
post-school education (7,1% in 1996 to 12,2% in 2022). In 2011 and 2022, business, economics and
management sciences and education were dominated by females, while males continue to dominate in
engineering as well as electrical infrastructure studies.
Census 2022
5. GENERAL HEALTH AND FUNCTIONING
5.1 Introduction
The purpose of this section is to profile the general health and functioning of the population for persons aged
five years and older based on six Washington Group (WG) short set of functional questions/domains; namely
seeing, hearing, communicating, walking or climbing stairs, remembering or concentrating, as well as self-
care. These short set of questions were recommended by WG on disability statistics to be used in both
censuses and surveys, particularly on measuring disability status of populations across countries. The
computation of disability status using these questions provides good disability estimates as they are based on
the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)
as the conceptual framework focusing on the component of activity limitations. Therefore, a person is
considered to have a disability as and when he/she reported to have some difficulty in at least two of the
domains. In addition, he/she must have reported to be having “a lot of difficulty” or “cannot do at all” in any of
the six domains.
The information on disability is crucial for planning purposes, particularly for policy makers across the world in
both developing and developed countries. Furthermore, such information is important for non-government
organisations (NGOs) and academics in developing their programmes and for coming up with interventions
that seek to empower and uplift persons with disabilities, as this group of people is known to be vulnerable.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) emphasises the need to
promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by
persons living with disabilities, including the right to respect their dignity. Lastly, the results will display various
assistive devices and the magnitude at which they are used in the country by persons aged 5 years and older,
regardless of their disability status.
Census 2022
5.2 General health and functioning domains
Table 5.1: Distribution of the population aged 5 years and older by type of functional domain and
degree of difficulty, Census 2011 and 2022
2011 2022
Functional domain Degree of difficulty N % N %
No difficulty 39 064 837 89,0 49 521 888 90,0
Some difficulty 4 085 901 9,3 4 540 254 8,3
Seeing (even with A lot of difficulty 660 874 1,5 842 470 1,5
glasses/contact lenses) Cannot do at all 77 205 0,2 56 376 0,1
Do not know 23 372 0,1 52 077 0,1
Total 43 912 188 100,0 55 013 065 100,0
No difficulty 42 257 810 96,4 53 190 465 96,7
Some difficulty 1 251 909 2,9 1 461 745 2,7
Hearing (even with a A lot of difficulty 229 919 0,5 271 523 0,5
hearing aid) Cannot do at all 58 451 0,1 38 724 0,1
Do not know 20 791 0,0 50 259 0,1
Total 43 818 881 100,0 55 012 716 100,0
No difficulty 43 014 947 98,4 54 074 972 98,3
Some difficulty 473 453 1,1 717 376 1,3
Communicating in A lot of difficulty 115 700 0,3 123 682 0,2
his/her usual language Cannot do at all 75 583 0,2 55 094 0,1
Do not know 21 864 0,1 41 383 0,1
Total 43 701 548 100,0 55 012 507 100,0
No difficulty 42 318 506 96,5 52 955 758 96,3
Some difficulty 1 100 136 2,5 1 443 307 2,6
Walking or climbing A lot of difficulty 317 216 0,7 457 911 0,8
stairs Cannot do at all 105 964 0,2 113 826 0,2
Do not know 16 340 0,0 41 541 0,1
Total 43 858 161 100,0 55 012 343 100,0
No difficulty 41 866 602 95,7 53 253 438 96,8
Some difficulty 1 405 102 3,2 1 366 797 2,5
Remembering or A lot of difficulty 365 019 0,8 302 895 0,6
concentrating Cannot do at all 91 163 0,2 40 549 0,1
Do not know 35 694 0,1 48 404 0,1
Total 43 763 580 100,0 55 012 083 100,0
No difficulty 41 204 360 96,5 53 987 236 98,1
Some difficulty 837 368 2,0 674 390 1,2
A lot of difficulty 266 762 0,6 183 757 0,3
Self-care
Cannot do at all 322 104 0,8 122 673 0,2
Do not know 63 164 0,1 43 747 0,1
Total 42 693 758 100,0 55 011 803 100,0
Note: Unspecified excluded.
Table 5.1 shows the population aged 5 years and older by degree of difficulty in any of six functional domains
for 2011 and 2022. The results showed that the majority (over 90%) of persons had no difficulty in functioning
in all six domains measured. On the contrary, there was a decrease in the percentage of those who
experienced some difficulty and those with a lot of difficulty in the ten-year period.
Census 2022
5.3 Disability status
This section looks at prevalence of disability generated from the six functional domains for both Censuses
2011 and 2022. The disability status indicator is computed as prescribed by the United Nations (UN) disability
index computation guidelines. A person is regarded as having a disability if they reported any of the following
degrees of difficulty in the six functional domains of seeing, hearing, communicating, walking/climbing stairs,
remembering or concentrating and self-care:
 A person who reported ‘some difficulty’ in at least two domains of functioning.
 A person who reported ‘a lot of difficulty’ in any of the six domains of functioning.
 A person who reported ‘unable to do’ in any of the six domains of functioning.
Figure 5.1: Disability prevalence, Census 2011 and 2022
8.0
7.4
7.0
6.0
6.0
Disability prevalence
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
2011 2022
Figure 5.1 showed that disability prevalence among persons aged 5 years and older was 6,0% in 2022, a slight
decrease of about 1% when compared with Census 2011. The slight decrease in disability prevalence may be
attributed to improved understanding of the Washington set of questions.
Census 2022
Figure 5.2: Disability prevalence by age group, Census 2011 and 2022
60.0
50.0
40.0
Prevalence
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+ Total
Census 2011 10.6 4.1 2.6 2.4 2.5 3.0 3.8 5.4 8.7 12.1 15.6 18.7 22.8 29.3 36.3 44.3 53.1 7.4
Census 2022 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.7 3.1 4.1 6.2 9.0 12.2 15.5 20.2 27.9 35.4 45.5 56.6 6.0
Age group
Figure 5.2 showed that disability prevalence varies by age, older persons being the most affected. The observed pattern is consistent with Census 2011 and other
countries that have adopted the six Washington Group questions in their censuses and surveys. The pattern depicts that there is a positive correlation between age
and disability. That is, as people become older, some degree of difficulty emerges in certain areas including but not limited to the six functional domains outlined in
this report. The proportion of persons with the highest prevalence of disability was reported among older persons, as they are more likely to experience difficulty in
functioning. Looking at trends in disability prevalence by age, the highest decrease of 8,5 percentage points was recorded among persons aged 5–9. This is possibly
attributed to better reporting on these set of questions on disability when compared to Census 2011.
Census 2022
Figure 5.3: Disability prevalence by sex, Census 2011 and 2022
9.0
8.3
8.0
7.4
7.0
7.0
6.4
6.0
6.0
Prevalence
4.9
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Male Female Both sexes
Sex
Census 2011 Census 2022
Figure 5.3 looks at disability prevalence by sex. In both census years, disability prevalence was higher for
females compared to males. The Census 2022 results showed that both males and females recorded lower
prevalence compared to Census 2011. The profile for males showed a decrease from 6,4% in 2011 to 4,9%
in 2022 while females with disability decreased from 8,3% to 7,0%.
Census 2022
Figure 5.4: Disability prevalence by population group, Census 2011 and 2022
10.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Prevalence
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Black African Coloured Indian/Asian White Other Total
Census 2011 7.7 6.2 6.2 6.5 5.6 7.4
Census 2022 5.7 5.6 6.5 9.5 5.8 6.0
Population group
Population group variations in disability prevalence are presented in Figure 5.4. Results showed that in Census
2022, disability was more prevalent among white and Indian/Asian populations; these figures were above the
national average (9,5% and 6,5% respectively). Trends show some shifts in disability status. While disability
was more prevalent among black Africans in 2011, Census 2022 results showed that disability was more
prevalent among the white population.
Census 2022
Figure 5.5: Disability prevalence by province, Census 2011 and 2022
12.0
10.0
Prevalence
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Northern KwaZulu-
Western Cape Eastern Cape Free State North West Gauteng Mpumalanga Limpopo South Africa
Cape Natal
Census 2011 5.3 9.5 11.0 10.9 8.3 9.8 5.2 7.0 6.7 7.4
Census 2022 5.4 8.5 7.6 8.4 6.1 7.0 4.9 5.1 5.0 6.0
Province
Figure 5.5 looks at provincial variations in disability prevalence among persons aged 5 years and older. In 2011, Northern Cape and Free State recorded the highest
disability prevalence, and in Census 2022, Eastern Cape and Free State recorded the highest prevalence compared to other provinces. Results showed that Northern
Cape recorded the highest decrease of 3,4 percentage points from 11,0% in 2011 to 7,6% in 2022. Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga recorded the
lowest percentages of disability prevalence for both Census 2011 and Census 2022
Census 2022
5.4 Assistive devices
Table 5.2: Distribution of population aged 5 years and older by type of assistive device, Census 2011
and 2022
Usage of 2011 2022

Assistive device assistive device Number % Number %
Yes 6 142 804 14,0 6 386 536 11,6
Eye glasses/spectacles/ No 37 606 365 85,8 48 496 463 88,2
contact lenses Do not know 98 223 0,2 126 642 0,2
Total 43 847 391 100,0 55 009 641 100,0
Yes 1 243 275 2,8 631 914 1,1
No 42 382 644 96,9 54 225 820 98,6
Hearing aid
Do not know 105 159 0,2 147 853 0,3
Total 43 731 078 100,0 55 005 587 100,0
Yes 1 397 314 3,2 1 047 754 1,9
Walking stick/walking No 42 261 918 96,6 53 814 484 97,8
frame/crutches Do not know 76 301 0,2 143 282 0,3
Total 43 735 532 100,0 55 005 520 100,0
Yes - - 427 840 0,8
No - - 52 341 834 98,9
Prosthesis/artificial limb
Do not know - - 132 879 0,3
Total - - 52 902 553 100,0
Yes 1 012 706 2,3 450 308 0,9
No 42 574 017 97,5 52 330 210 98,9
Wheelchair
Do not know 84 159 0,2 124 912 0,2
Total 43 670 882 100,0 52 905 430 100,0
Note: Unspecified records excluded from table.
Table 5.2 shows the distribution of the population aged 5 years and older by type of assistive device in Census
2011 and 2022. The results show that in 2022, 11,6% of persons aged 5 years and older use eye
glasses/spectacles/contact lenses, while other devices like a hearing aid (631 914), walking stick (1 047 754),
prosthesis (427 840) or wheelchair (450 308) were used by less than 2,0% of the population aged 5 years and
older.
Census 2022
5.5 Conclusion
The findings on degree of difficulty in functioning showed that there was an increase in persons reporting no
difficulty and conversely, there was a decrease in persons that reported some and a lot of difficulty in
functioning, as well as those unable to function in a specific domain.
The results further showed that over the period 2011–2022, there was a decrease of approximately one
percentage point (from 7,4% in 2011 to 6% in 2022).
Disability varies by sex, population group and geographical area. Sex variations showed that disability was
more prevalent among females compared to males, a pattern consistent in both Censuses 2011 and 2022.
Population group dynamics showed that disability was more prevalent among the white population, followed
by the Indian/Asian population. Over the period 2011–2022, the black African and coloured populations
recorded a decline in disability prevalence. Western Cape is the only province that experienced a slight
increase in 2022 in terms of disability prevalence compared to all other provinces, from 5,3% in 2011 to 5,4%
in 2022. Finally, the 2022 results indicated a decrease in the use of all assistive devices compared to 2011,
with the exception of prosthesis/artificial limb which was not one of the assistive devices measured in Census
2011.
Census 2022
6. PARENTAL SURVIVAL
6.1 Introduction
Information on parental survival is collected in order to determine maternal or paternal orphanhood, and
estimation of adult mortality. In censuses, everyone in the household is asked if their own biological mother
and biological father is still alive. From these questions, orphanhood can be determined. Orphanhood can
further be used to ascertain the level and patterns of mortality in the population through indirect estimation
(United Nations, 2017).
6.2 Census 2022 Orphanhood methodology
The methodology adopted to tabulate the distribution of orphans for census years 2011 and 2022 is consistent
with that used by the General Household Survey. The core to this methodology is that there is no double
counting of orphans.
Non orphans are children 0-17 aged years whose both biological mother and father were still alive.
Paternal orphans are children 0-17 aged years whose biological fathers were no longer alive but their mothers
were still alive.
Maternal orphans are children aged 0-17 years whose biological mothers were no longer alive but their fathers
were still alive.
Double orphans are children aged 0-17 years who reported that both mother and father have died.
Findings
Comparison of Census 2011 and census 2022 presented in Table 6.1 showed that in both censuses, paternal
orphanhood was more prevalent compared to maternal and double orphanhood. Trends show that there has
been a decrease in orphanhood and this is the case for all the three types.
Table 6.1: Percentage distribution of children aged 0–17 years by orphan type, Census, 2022
Type of orphan 2011 2022

Non orphans 81,0 86,2
Paternal orphans 12,1 8,9
Maternal orphans 3,0 2,3
Double orphans 3,9 2,5
Total 100,0 100,0
Note: Analysis excludes do not know and Unspecified cases.
Census 2022
Table 6.2: Percentage distribution of children aged 0–17 years by orphan type and province, Census
2011 and 2022
Census Non Paternal Maternal Double

Type of orphan year Orphan orphan orphan orphan Total
2011 91,1 6,2 1,6 1,1 100,0
WC
2022 90,7 6,1 1,6 1,5 100,0
2011 75,9 15,8 3,4 4,9 100,0

EC
2022 82,4 11,5 2,8 3,4 100,0
2011 84,4 8,9 3,6 3,1 100,0

NC
2022 86,7 7,8 3,1 2,4 100,0
2011 77,4 13,1 3,8 5,7 100,0

FS
2022 83,7 10,3 2,8 3,1 100,0
2011 74,9 15,5 3,8 5,9 100,0

KZN
2022 84,3 10,4 2,5 2,8 100,0
2011 81,5 11,1 3,3 4,1 100,0

NW
2022 85,8 8,7 2,6 2,9 100,0
2011 86,2 8,9 2,3 2,6 100,0

GP
2022 88,6 7,4 1,9 2,1 100,0
2011 80,3 12,1 3,6 4 100,0

MP
2022 86,3 8,6 2,5 2,6 100,0
2011 82,5 12,5 2,2 2,9 100,0

LP
2022 87,1 8,6 1,8 2,4 100,0
2011 81 12,1 3 3,9 100,0

SA
2022 86,2 8,9 2,3 2,5 100,0
Provincial variations in orphanhood showed that Eastern Cape (15,8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (15,5%) had the
highest percentage of paternal orphans in both Censuses 2011 and 2022. In census 2022, EC (3,4%), FS
(3,1%), NW (2,9% and MP (2,6%) provinces had percentage of double orphans above the national average
(2,5%). With the exception of double orphans in the Western Cape, all provinces reflect a decrease in all types
of orphanhood from 2011 to 2022. KwaZulu-Natal reflects the highest decrease in all types of orphanhood.
Summary of findings
The percentage of children aged 0-17 who are orphans is decreasing in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal observed
the highest decrease in all orphan hood types from 2011 to 2022. Paternal orphans are highest in all censuses
and provinces.
Census 2022
7. HOMELESSNESS
7.1 Introduction
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
stipulates that no one should be left behind. Equally, South Africa’s national agenda – the National
Development Plan (NDP) – also stipulates that South Africa is committed to providing a better life for all South
Africans. Monitoring progress towards achieving both development agendas and linked targets require reliable
and timely statistics. It is for this committed effort of ensuring a better life for all populations, including homeless
persons, that homelessness is relevant to three Sustainable Development Goals. In most instances, people
experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness are among the most socially and economically
disadvantaged. However, there is a challenge of inadequate statistics on homelessness at a national and
global level, rendering programs aimed at addressing poverty, substance abuse and ill health ineffective.
In South Africa, information on homelessness is collected as part of the population census. Censuses remain
one of the primary sources of data on homelessness and are considered critical vehicles in harmonising
measurement and collection of data on homelessness to inform national and global agenda (Casey & Stazen,
2021).
The definition of homelessness varies from country to country. However, Principles and Recommendations for
Population and Housing Censuses outlines two categories of homelessness:
 Primary homelessness (or roofless), which includes persons living on the street or without shelter;
and
 Secondary homelessness, which includes the following groups:
o Persons with no place of usual residence who move frequently between various types of
accommodation (including dwellings, shelters or other living quarters); and
o Persons usually resident in long-term (also called “transitional”) shelters or similar
arrangements for the homeless.
As recommended, Census 2022 collected data on both primary and secondary homelessness. Homeless
persons living on the streets or without a shelter were counted using the questionnaire for the homeless, whilst
homeless persons in shelters were counted using the questionnaire for special dwelling institutions (SDIs).
Enumeration procedures for counting homeless persons without a shelter stipulated that this population was
to be counted on Census night (02–03 February 2022). During Census night, however, system challenges
were experienced and this made it impossible to cover all homeless persons on the reference night. In
consultation with methodologists, a re-count of homeless persons was arranged during the course of the
enumeration period for the household-based population and persons in institutions.
The questionnaire for counting the homeless without a shelter was an individual questionnaire, meant to
capture each person regardless of whether they were found as a group or family. Fieldworkers/enumerators
were to ensure all possible hotspots for homeless persons were covered, such as: streets/doorways/in front of
shops/pavements; under bridges; parks; river banks; dumping sites; veld/bush; abandoned buildings/vehicles;
encampments; and other places that are not meant for human habitation.
Census 2022
This section profiles both homeless persons with and without a shelter, and highlights the top five reasons for
homelessness. Data for Census 2022 is not compared with previous censuses due to differences in data
collection tools
Table 7.1: Number and percentage of the homeless population by sex, Census 2022
Type of Male Female Total Male Female Total

homelessness Number Percent
Roofless 31 506 13 006 44 512 70,8 29,2 100,0
In shelter 7 546 3 661 11 207 67,3 32,7 100,0
Total 39 052 16 667 55 719 70,1 29,9 100,0
The results in Table 7.1 show that there were 55 719 homeless persons recorded in Census 2022. The majority
were roofless compared to those in shelter (79,9% and 20,1% respectively). Results also showed that males
are predominantly homeless compared to their female counterparts; this pattern is consistent among roofless
and in shelter homeless persons.
Table 7.2: Number and percentage of homeless persons by province and type of homelessness,
Census 2022
Number Percent
Province Roofless In shelter Total Roofless In shelter Total
Western Cape 6 433 3 310 9 743 14,5 29,5 17,5
Eastern Cape 3 452 541 3 993 7,8 4,8 7,2
Northern Cape 386 202 588 0,9 1,8 1,1
Free State 2 122 1 217 3 339 4,8 10,9 6,0
KwaZulu-Natal 6 404 1 364 7 768 14,4 12,2 13,9
North West 918 802 1 720 2,1 7,2 3,1
Gauteng 23 455 1 929 25 384 52,7 17,2 45,6
Mpumalanga 869 437 1 306 2,0 3,9 2,3
Limpopo 473 1 405 1 878 1,1 12,5 3,4
South Africa 44 512 11 207 55 719 100,0 100,0 100,0
Table 7.2 shows provincial variations in homelessness. Gauteng recorded the biggest share of homeless
persons at 45,6%, followed by Western Cape at 17,5%. On the contrary, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga
recorded the lowest proportions of homeless persons (1,1% and 2,3% respectively). The profile of homeless
persons in shelters showed that Western Cape had the biggest share (29,5%), followed by Gauteng (17,2%).
Census 2022
Figure 7.1: Percentage distribution of homeless persons by location; metropolitan and non-
metropolitan areas, Census 2022
Metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas
Nelson Mandela Bay 2.7
Buffalo City 3.3
Mangaung 3.3
Ekurhuleni 9.2
eThekwini 10.1
City of Cape Town Metro 11.9
City of Johannesburg 15.6
City of Tshwane 18.1
Non-Metros 25.9
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0

%
Figure 7.1 shows a comparison of homelessness in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Results showed
that homelessness was more prevalent in metropolitan areas (74,1%), with City of Tshwane recording the
highest proportion of homeless persons (18,1%), followed by City of Johannesburg (15,6%). Nelson Mandela
Bay metropolitan area recorded the lowest proportion of homeless persons (2,7%).
Census 2022
Figure 7.2: Distribution of homeless persons by type of homelessness in 5-year age groups, Census
2022
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
%
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60+
Age groups
Roofless In shelter Total
The results presented in Figure 7.2 show the distribution of homeless persons (roofless and in shelter) by age.
It is noticed that irrespective of type of homelessness, homeless persons were predominantly the youth aged
20–34 years and adults aged 35–44 years. Looking at differences in age structure for both primary
homelessness (roofless) and secondary homelessness, there were more homeless children aged 0–17 years
residing in shelters compared to those that were roofless.
Reasons for homelessness

In the Census 2022 questionnaire for the homeless population (primary homelessness), a question on reasons
for homelessness was included. In this report, only the top five reasons reported are profiled. Roofless
homeless persons were asked about the main reason they were homeless.
Census 2022
Figure 7.3: Distribution of homeless persons by top five main reason for homelessness and sex,
Census 2022
50.0
40.0
30.0
%
20.0
10.0
0.0
Lost job/No Arguments with Cannot afford
Drug/Alcohol use Parent(s) died
job/No Income family/friends accommodation
Male 41.3 26.0 16.5 8.8 7.4
Female 41.6 18.9 20.3 8.3 10.9
Total 41.3 25.0 17.0 8.8 7.9
The results in Figure 7.3 present the percentage distribution of roofless persons by main reason for
homelessness and sex. The main reason for homelessness for both males and females was lost job/no job/no
income (41,3%), followed by drug/alcohol abuse (25%). “Cannot afford accommodation” ranked the lowest of
the top five reasons provided by homeless persons, at 7,9%.
Results showed slight variations between males and females’ reasons for homelessness. The main reasons
for homelessness among males were job loss or no income (41,3%), drug or alcohol abuse (26%) and
arguments with family or friends (16,5%). Females indicated that their main reason for homelessness was job
loss or no income (41,6%), followed by arguments with family or friends (20,3%).
The striking difference between the male and female homeless population is that more males (26%) than
females (18,9%) were homeless as a result of alcohol and drug abuse. Another difference is that when it comes
to arguments with family or friends, females (20,3%) were more likely to be homeless than males (16,5%).
Another difference between the two sexes was a higher percentage of females (10,9%) reported inability to
afford accommodation compared to their male counterparts (7,4%).
7.2 Conclusion
Both the global and national development agendas pertaining to vulnerable groups require reliable statistics
in order to address the challenges these sub-populations face. With regard to the homeless population, Census
2022 results have provided critical indicators on the characteristics of homeless persons, among which are
reasons for homelessness asked for the first time in a South African census. Interesting to note is the striking
difference between homeless persons in shelter and those that were roofless, provincial and sex variations,
and – above all – main reasons for homelessness. The profiled statistics will contribute greatly towards
addressing challenges faced by this vulnerable group relating to socio-economic, health, development and
human rights.
Census 2022
8. HOUSING AND BASIC SERVICES
8.1 Introduction
It is critical for any government to ensure that its citizens have access to basic services, including housing,
clean water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal. Government efforts to track progress require setting of
targets and monitoring progress. A number of questions were thus included in the census to enable the
provision of statistics that are critical for monitoring progress in households’ access to basic services. This
section also profiles household composition and headship, as well as major factors that contribute to household
welfare.
8.2 Households
8.2.1 Number of households
Table 8.1: Distribution of households by province, Census 1996–2022
Census year
1996 2001 2011 2022
Province Number % Number % Number % Number %
Western Cape 983 015 10,9 1 173 304 10,5 1 633 925 11,3 2 264 032 12,7
Eastern Cape 1 303 287 14,4 1 481 640 13,2 1 687 343 11,7 1 838 960 10,3
Northern Cape 218 339 2,4 245 066 2,2 301 400 2,1 333 553 1,9
Free State 625 011 6,9 733 302 6,5 823 285 5,6 845 250 4,7
KwaZulu-Natal 1 689 995 18,7 2 117 274 18,9 2 539 337 17,5 2 853 741 16,0
North West 591 145 6,5 759 997 6,8 1 061 998 7,3 1 141 291 6,4
Gauteng 2 069 629 22,8 2 791 835 24,9 3 908 826 27,6 5 318 665 29,8
Mpumalanga 669 844 7,4 785 470 7,0 1 075 466 7,3 1 421 721 8,0
Limpopo 909 306 10,0 1 117 818 10,0 1 418 085 9,6 1 811 565 10,2
South Africa 9 059 571 100,0 11 205 705 100,0 14 449 664 100,0 17 828 778 100,0
The results in Table 8.1 show an upward trend in the number of households over the period 1996–2022. The
increase depicts an increase in household formation. Census 2022 recorded a total of 17 828 778 households
nationally, with Gauteng (5,3 million) and KwaZulu-Natal (2,9 million) accounting for just below half of all
households in the country. Northern Cape, the least populous province, recorded 333 553 households. There
was a steady increase in the number of households between 1996 and 2022, from approximately 9,1 million
in 1996 to 17,8 million in 2022.
Census 2022
8.2.2 Average household size
Figure 8.1: Average household size by province, Census 1996–2022
6
5
4
Household size
3
2
1
0
Census 1996 4.0 4.7 4.6 4.2 5.1 4.6 3.8 4.7 5.0 4.5
Census 2001 3.9 4.2 4.0 3.7 4.5 3.9 3.4 4.3 4.5 4.0
Census 2011 3.6 3.9 3.8 3.3 4.0 3.3 3.1 3.8 3.8 3.6
Census 2022 3.3 3.9 4.1 3.5 4.4 3.3 2.8 3.6 3.6 3.5
Results presented in Figure 8.1 show a downward trend in household size over the period 1996–2022. The
average household size decreased from 4,5 in 1996 to 3,5 in 2022. Provincial variations showed that provinces
such as Gauteng (2,8) and the Western Cape (3,3) recorded the lowest average household sizes and KwaZulu-
Natal, the second most populous province, recorded the highest household size of 4,4.
8.2.3 Female-headed households
Figure 8.2: Percentage distribution of female-headed households by province, Census 2022
60
53.1 51.9 51.6 50.9 49.6 49.1 48.2 47.9
50 46.9 46.3
40
% 30
20
10
0
KZN EC LP FS SA NC WC GP MP NW
Findings on household headship are presented in Figure 8.2. Almost half (49,6%) of the households in South
Africa were headed by females. Female-headed households were most common in KwaZulu-Natal (53,1%)
and Eastern Cape (51,9%), and least common in North West (46,3%) and Mpumalanga (46,9%).
Census 2022
8.3 Housing
According to section 26 of the South African Constitution, everyone has the right to access adequate housing.
Therefore, the Census 2022 questionnaire consisted of three questions on the type of housing occupied by
households: the type of dwelling; the tenure status; and whether the dwelling was an RDP or government-
subsidised dwelling. The questions were aimed at profiling the living conditions of South African households.
8.3.1 Dwelling type
Figure 8.3: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling, Census 1996–2022
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Other dwelling 0.4 0.0 0.9 0.3
Informal dwelling 16.2 16.4 13.6 8.1
Traditional dwelling 18.3 14.8 7.9 3.1
Formal dwelling 65.1 68.8 77.6 88.5
Note: Percentages for 1996 exclude unspecified cases.
Results presented in Figure 8.3 compare the type of main dwelling for Census 1996–2022. It is noted that
there has been an upward trend in households residing in formal dwellings, an increase of almost
24 percentage points (from 65,1% in 1996 to 88,5% in Census 2022). Formal dwellings include formal houses
with a brick/concrete structure, flats and apartments, cluster houses, townhouses, semi-detached houses or
any formal dwelling situated in a backyard, such as a room or garden cottage where a household or single
person resides. The proportion of households that resided in informal dwellings halved (from 16,2% in 1996 to
8,1% in 2022).
Census 2022
Figure 8.4: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling and province, Census
2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Other 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3
Informal 11.1 4.4 12.1 9.7 5.0 10.8 11.0 5.8 2.7 8.1
Traditional 0.7 11.7 1.4 1.2 8.0 0.7 0.3 1.8 2.2 3.1
Formal 88.0 83.6 85.9 88.5 86.8 88.0 88.5 92.2 94.7 88.5
Figure 8.4 shows the variations across provinces. Results shows that almost all households in Limpopo
(94,7%) and Mpumalanga (92,2%) resided in formal dwellings. As expected, the provinces with larger rural
areas – KwaZulu-Natal (8%) and Eastern Cape (11,7%) – recorded the highest proportion of traditional
dwellings. Northern Cape (12,1%) had the highest proportion of households residing in informal dwellings, with
Gauteng and the Western Cape (both at approximately 11%) following closely.
Census 2022
8.3.2 Tenure status
Figure 8.5: Percentage distribution of households by tenure status, Census 2001–2022
50
45
40
35
30
% 25
20
15
10
0
Owned and Owned, but not Occupied rent-
Rented Other
fully paid off yet paid off free
Census 2001 41.3 15.0 18.7 25.0 0.0
Census 2011 41.3 11.8 25.0 18.6 3.4
Census 2022 41.6 6.6 23.2 25.6 3.0
Note:
- Percentages for 2022 exclude unspecified cases.
- Rented for 2022 included Rented from private individual and Rented from other (incl. municipality and social housing institutions).
In 2022, just over two-fifths (41,6%) of the dwellings that households resided in were owned and fully paid off,
with similar proportions recorded in 2001 and 2011. The proportion of households that occupied their dwellings
rent-free increased from 18,6% in 2011 to 25,6% in 2022, while rented dwellings decreased slightly from 25%
in 2011 to 23,2% in 2022. Only 6,6% of households resided in dwellings that were owned but not fully paid off
(for example, those still repaying a bond to the bank), declining from 11,8% in 2011.
Census 2022
Figure 8.6: Percentage distribution of households by tenure status and province, Census 2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
% 40
30
20
10
0
Do not know 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.8
Other 2.3 5.6 4.2 2.3 3.5 3.2 2.0 1.9 3.2 2.9
Occupied rent-free 18.2 31.9 27.7 24.6 26.0 30.2 20.1 23.7 37.9 25.4
Rented 27.8 14.7 16.6 17.4 18.9 17.6 36.6 17.2 10.0 23.0
Owned but not paid off 12.6 4.6 3.4 4.0 5.4 3.7 9.1 3.6 2.9 6.5
Owned and fully paid off 38.0 42.4 47.3 51.2 45.3 44.7 31.3 52.9 45.3 41.3
Note:
- Percentages for 2022 exclude unspecified cases.
- Rented for 2022 included Rented from private individual and Rented from other (incl. municipality and social housing institutions).
Households that resided in rented dwellings were more common in the Western Cape (27,8%) and Gauteng
(36,6%) than in Limpopo, where just one-tenth (10%) of households lived in rented dwellings. Slightly less than
two-fifths (37,9%) of households in Limpopo occupied their dwellings rent free, close to double the proportion
reported in the Western Cape (18,2%) and Gauteng (20,1%). More than half of the households in Mpumalanga
(52,9%) and the Free State (51,2%) lived in dwellings that were owned and fully paid off. All provinces, with
the exception of the Western Cape (12,6%), reported proportions lower than 10% for dwellings that were
owned but not yet paid off.
Census 2022
8.3.3 RDP/government-subsidized dwelling
Figure 8.7: Percentage distribution of RDP/government-subsidised dwellings by province, Census

2022
50
40.0
40 37.6
33.5
32.4 31.6
29.9 29.6
30
26.7 26.5
%
20 18.3
10
0
NC FS GP WC EC SA NW KZN MP LP
Note: Percentages for 2022 exclude ‘Unspecified’ cases.
Households were asked whether the dwelling they resided in was a government-subsidised dwelling or RDP.
Two-fifths (40%) of households in the Northern Cape reported that they resided in government subsidised
dwelling/RDP housing, only slightly higher than the proportion of households in the Free State (37,6%).
Households in Limpopo recorded the lowest proportion of government subsidised dwelling/RDP housing
(18,3%), well below the national average of 29,9%.
8.4 Access to basic services
Households’ access to clean water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal provides key information needed
to measure and plan access to and progress regarding basic service delivery. Access to these services also
affects households’ health, the environment and level of poverty in the country.
Census 2022
8.4.1 Water and sanitation
Figure 8.8: Percentage distribution of households by access to piped water, Census 1996–2022
60
50
40
% 30
20
10
0
Piped water inside dwelling 44.2 32.3 46.3 59.7
Piped water inside yard 16.6 29.0 27.1 22.7
Piped water outside yard/on
19.6 23.2 17.9 8.9
community stand
No access to piped water 19.7 15.5 8.8 8.7
Note:
- Piped water outside yard/community stand for 2011 and 2022 includes Piped water on community stand distance less than 200 m from dwelling, piped water on
community stand distance between 200 and 500 m, piped water on community stand distance between 500 m and 1 000 m, and Piped water on community stand
distance greater than 1 000 m.
- Piped water outside yard/community stand for 2001 includes Piped water on community stand distance less than 200 m from dwelling, and Piped water on
community stand distance greater than 200 m.
- Piped water outside yard/community stand for 1996 includes Public tap.
In 2022, over four-fifths (82,4%) of households in the country had access to piped water either inside their
dwelling or inside their yard. Figure 8.8 shows an increase in the proportion of households that had access to
piped water inside their dwelling, from 32,3% in 2001 to 46,3% in 2011 and to 59,7% in 2022. The proportion
of households that accessed piped water off-site (from a water source outside the yard such as a neighbour
or from a community stand) halved from 17,9% in 2011 to 8,9% in 2022.
Census 2022
Figure 8.9: Percentage distribution of households by access to piped water and province, Census
2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
% 40
30
20
10
0
No access to
0.9 19.5 4.2 3.0 12.4 10.2 2.1 13.1 20.5 8.7
piped water
Piped water on
6.0 13.4 13.9 4.8 10.6 15.3 3.7 7.8 18.3 8.9
community stand
Piped water inside
7.6 17.6 27.4 43.2 25.3 31.2 19.2 32.1 29.8 22.7
the yard
Piped water inside
85.5 49.5 54.5 49.0 51.8 43.3 75.0 47.0 31.4 59.7
the dwelling
Note:
- Piped water outside yard/community stand for 2011 and 2022 includes Piped water on community stand distance less than 200 m from dwelling, piped water on
community stand distance between 200 m and 500 m, piped water on community stand distance between 500 m and 1 000 m, and Piped water on community
stand distance greater than 1 000 m
- Piped water outside yard/community stand for 2001 includes Piped water on community stand distance less than 200 m from dwelling, and Piped water on
community stand distance greater than 200 m. Piped water outside yard/community stand for 1996 includes Public tap.
Figure 8.9 shows that households in the Western Cape were more likely to have piped water inside their
dwelling (85,5%) compared to Limpopo, where less than one-third (31,4%) accessed piped water inside their
dwelling. Although the national picture regarding access to piped water shows improvement over the years
(refer to Figure 8.8), there is a sizeable proportion of households in Limpopo (20,5%) and Eastern Cape
(19,5%) with no access to piped water.
Table 8.2: Distribution of households by main source of water, Census 2001–2022

Census year
2001 2011 2022
Source of water N % N % N %
Regional/local water scheme 8 366 653 74,7 11 518 880 79,7 14 738 578 82,7
Borehole 929 483 8,3 881 468 6,1 817 648 4,6
Spring 282 816 2,5 178 799 1,2 98 961 0,6
Rain-water tank 144 682 1,3 141 472 1,0 351 781 2,0
Dam/pool/stagnant water 300 580 2,7 225 178 1,6 160 021 0,9
Flowing water/river/stream 884 151 7,9 651 231 4,5 337 093 1,9
Water vendor/water tanker 214 866 1,9 552 839 3,8 1 028 786 5,8
Other 82 474 0,7 299 797 2,1 295 912 1,7
Total 11 205 705 100,0 14 449 664 100,0 17 828 778 100,0
Table 8.2 presents the main source of water used by households over time. The majority of households across
the three censuses made use of a regional/local water scheme as their main source of water. This proportion
increased steadily from 74,7% in 2001 to 79,7% in 2011, and to 82,7% in 2022.
Census 2022
Figure 8.10: Percentage distribution of households that reported water interruptions by province,
Census 2022
70 65.2 65.8
59.2 60.9
60 57.0 58.0
54.5
48.4
50
40.5
40
%
30 27.7
20
10
0
WC GP SA LP KZN FS EC MP NW NC
Note-
- Percentages for 2022 exclude unspecified cases from totals.
- The percentages above reflect the households that responded Yes to the question on interruptions and are calculated using the responses Yes, No and Do not
know.
- Interruptions due to unpaid bills or insufficient pre-paid units were excluded.
Those households who made use of a regional/local water scheme were asked if they experienced any
interruptions in their piped water supply in the last 12 months. Households in the Western Cape (27,7%) and
Gauteng (40,5%) reported the lowest proportions of water interruptions, below the national average of 48,4%.
In contrast, a significantly larger proportion of households in Mpumalanga (60,9%), North West (65,2%) and
the Northern Cape (65,8%) reported experiences of interruptions.
Census 2022
Figure 8.11: Percentage distribution of households by main type of toilet facility, Census 2001–2022
80
70
60
50
40
30
%
20
10
0
Pit toilet
Chemical Pit toilet
Flush toilet without Bucket toilet None Other
toilet with VIP
ventilation
Census 2001 51.9 1.9 5.7 22.8 4.1 13.6
Census 2011 60.1 2.5 8.8 19.3 2.1 5.2 2.1
Census 2022 70.8 2.6 9.4 12.5 2.1 1.6 1.0
Note:
- Flush toilet for 2001, 2011 and 2022 includes Flush toilet connected to a public sewerage system and Flush toilet connected to a septic tank/conservancy tank.
- Bucket toilet for 2022 includes Bucket toilet collected by municipality and Bucket toilet emptied by household.
- Other for 2022 includes Ecological toilet.
Figure 8.11 show the percentage distribution of households by main type of toilet facility they used for the
period between 2001–2022. There has been an increase in the percentage of households that used a flush
toilet as their main type of toilet facility during this period (+18,9 percentage points). However, the percentage
of households that used a pit toilet without ventilation and households with no form of toilet facility declined
during the same period, from 22,8% to 12,5% and from 13,6% to 1,6% respectively.
Census 2022
Figure 8.12: Percentage distribution of households by main type of toilet facility and province,
Census 2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Other 0.3 1.6 1.2 0.9 2.6 0.8 0.2 1.3 1.4 1.0
None 1.2 3.0 4.5 1.7 1.9 2.0 0.4 1.7 2.4 1.6
Bucket toilet 3.1 1.7 4.5 3.5 1.2 0.9 2.5 1.2 1.6 2.1
Pit latrine without ventilation pipe 0.2 10.4 8.9 10.6 13.3 21.8 4.2 27.9 36.8 12.5
Pit latrine with VIP 0.2 20.7 7.1 5.8 15.2 15.1 1.4 10.7 21.1 9.4
Chemical toilet 1.2 3.9 0.8 1.1 7.0 0.9 1.5 2.4 1.4 2.6
Flush toilet 93.9 58.7 73.0 76.3 58.9 58.5 89.7 54.9 35.2 70.8
Note
- Flush toilet for 2001, 2011 and 2022 includes Flush toilet connected to a public sewerage system and Flush toilet connected to a septic tank/conservancy tank.
Bucket toilet for 2022 includes
- Bucket toilet collected by municipality and Bucket toilet emptied by household.
- Other for 2022 includes Ecological toilet.
Figure 8.12 shows the percentage distribution of households by type of toilet facility and province for
households in 2022. Households that resided in more urban provinces such as Western Cape (93,9%) and
Gauteng (89,7%) had access to flush toilets. Northern Cape still had 4,5% of households that used bucket
toilets. The majority of the households in Limpopo, i.e. more than half (57,9%), used a pit latrine with/without
ventilation pipe as their main type of toilet facility. Although 58,9% of the households in KwaZulu-Natal used
flush toilets, 28,5% used pit latrines with/without ventilation pipe and 7% used chemical toilets. Some
households in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape reported no type of toilet facility, at 4,5% and 3%
respectively.
Census 2022
8.4.2 Energy/fuel used for lighting and cooking.
Figure 8.13: Percentage distribution of households by main source of energy used for lighting,
Census 1996–2022
100
80
60
%
40
20
0
Electricity Gas Paraffin Candles Solar Other None
Census 1996 58.1 0.4 12.7 28.8 0.0
Census 2001 70.2 0.3 6.6 22.4 0.2 0.3
Census 2011 84.7 0.2 2.9 11.4 0.4 0.3
Census 2022 94.7 0.3 0.9 3.2 0.7 0.1 0.2
Note:
- Electricity for 1996 includes Electricity direct from municipality/local authority/Eskom and Electricity from other source (e.g. generator, solar cell).
- Electricity for 2022 includes Electricity from mains and Other source of electricity (e.g. generator).
The proportion of households using electricity as the main source of energy for lighting increased significantly
from 58,1% in 1996 to 94,7% in 2022; conversely, the use of paraffin and candles as the main source of energy
for lighting decreased. In 1996, 28,8% of households utilised candles for lighting compared to the 3,2% in
2022. The use of paraffin declined, with only 0,9% of households using it for lighting compared to the 12,7%
in 1996.
Census 2022
Figure 8.14: Percentage distribution of households using electricity as the main source of energy
used for lighting by province, Census 2011 and 2022
100
80
60
%
40
20
0
Census 2011 93.4 75.0 85.4 89.9 77.9 84.0 87.4 86.4 87.3 84.7
Census 2022 96.5 94.5 92.5 94.6 96.7 93.9 93.2 93.7 95.5 94.7
Note: Electricity for 2022 includes Electricity from mains and Other source of electricity (e.g. generator).
Electricity was the main source of energy for lighting across all provinces. Figure 8.14 shows that the use of
electricity was highest in Western Cape (96,5%) and KwaZulu-Natal (96,7%) and lowest in Northern Cape
(92,5%) and Gauteng (93,2%). The use of electricity as the main source of energy for lighting increased across
all provinces between 2011 and 2022. Nationally, the use of electricity increased by ten percentage points
(from 84,7% in 2011 to 94,7% in 2022).
Census 2022
Figure 8.15: Percentage distribution of households by main source of energy used for cooking,
Census 1996–2022
80
70
60
50
40
%
30
20
10
0
Animal
Electricity Gas Paraffin Wood Coal Solar Other None
dung
Census 1996 47.4 3.2 21.6 23.0 3.6 1.2 0.0
Census 2001 51.4 2.5 21.4 20.5 2.8 1.0 0.2 0.2
Census 2011 73.9 3.5 8.5 12.5 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2
Census 2022 64.9 25.7 2.7 6.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2
Note:
- Electricity for 1996 includes Electricity direct from municipality/local authority/Eskom and Electricity from other source (e.g. generator, solar cell)
- Electricity for 2022 includes Electricity from mains and Other source of electricity (e.g. generator).
The main sources of energy used for cooking from Census 1996 to 2022 are presented in Figure 8.15. The
percentage of households using electricity for cooking increased from 47,4% in 1996 to 64,9% in 2022. The
use of wood, coal, paraffin and animal dung for cooking decreased, with a significant decrease in the use of
paraffin from 21,6% in 1996 to 2,7% in 2022. A much smaller proportion of households used wood for cooking
in 2022 (6,1%) compared to 23% in 1996. The use of gas for cooking increased sharply between the last two
censuses, with just over one-quarter (25,7%) of the country using gas for cooking compared to the 3,5% in
2011. The upward trend in households using gas is noticeable. The magnitude of the percentage increase
may be attributed to load shedding challenges the country has been facing during the intercensal census
period 2011–2022.
Census 2022
Figure 8.16: Percentage distribution of households using electricity as the main source of energy
used for cooking by province, Census 2011 and 2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Census 2011 86.9 62.1 78.1 84.5 68.6 75.3 83.9 69.3 50.0 73.9
Census 2022 63.9 65.0 72.0 78.6 71.9 69.7 62.7 66.6 49.3 64.9
Note: Electricity for 2022 includes Electricity from mains and Other source of electricity (e.g. generator).
Provincial variations in the use of electricity as the main source of energy for cooking can be seen in Figure
8.16. Whilst almost three-fifths (78,6%) of households in the Free State utilised electricity for cooking, less than
half in Limpopo did (49,3%). The use of electricity for cooking decreased in most provinces between 2011 and
2022, with the exception of Eastern Cape (increased from 62,1% in 2011 to 65% in 2022) and KwaZulu-Natal
(from 68,6% to 71,9%).
Census 2022
Figure 8.17: Percentage distribution of households by type of refuse disposal mainly utilised, Census
1996–2022
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
%
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Removed Communal
Removed Dump or
by local Communal container/ce
by local Own refuse leave
authority at refuse ntral Other
authority dump rubbish
least once a dump collection
less often anywhere
week point
Census 1996 52.1 2.2 3.2 32.6 9.7 0.2
Census 2001 55.4 1.8 1.8 32.5 8.5
Census 2011 62.1 1.5 1.9 28.2 5.4 0.9
Census 2022 66.3 1.3 1.6 3.3 22.3 4.5 0.7
Note: Communal container/central collection point includes “Communal container/central collection point” and “Removed regularly by municipality/local authority/private
company (communal container/central collection point)”.
The results on refuse removal services over the period 1996–2022 are presented in Figure 8.17. It is noted
that the country recorded an upward trend in refuse removed by a local authority regularly, an increase from
52% in 1996 to 66% in 2022. Approximately two-thirds (66,3%) of households in the country had their refuse
removed by a local authority once a week whilst one in four households used their own refuse dump (22,3%).
The percentage of households with no refuse removal or using their own refuse dump both decreased over
the same period. In 1996, 32,6% of households used their own refuse dump and 9,7% did not have any refuse
removal. In 2022, households using their own refuse dump decreased to 22,3% and those with no refuse
removal halved to 4,5%.
Census 2022
Figure 8.18: Distribution of households whose refuse is removed by local authority/private

company/community members at least once a week by province, Census 2022
WC 88.7
GP 85.0
SA 66.3
NC 64.4
FS 63.5
KZN 57.7
NW 53.5
EC 53.3
MP 51.1
LP 32.0
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0
Provincial variations in access to refuse removal services are presented in Figure 8.18. It is noted that wide
gaps exist between the nine provinces. Whilst provinces that are predominantly urban recorded regular refuse
removal service, those that are largely rural were using alternative methods to dispose of household refuse.
Households in the Western Cape (88,7%) and Gauteng (85,0%) were more likely to have their refuse removed
regularly (at least once a week) compared to households in Limpopo (32,0%).
Census 2022
8.4.3 Household goods/assets
Figure 8.19: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of household goods, Census 2001–
2022
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Refrigerator Landline
Television Radio Cellphone
/freezer /telephone
Census 2001 53.8 52.6 73.0 24.4 32.3
Census 2011 68.4 74.5 67.5 14.4 88.9
Census 2022 83.2 79.0 50.3 5.8 92.1
Note:
- Percentages for 2022 exclude ‘unspecified’ cases for refrigerator/freezer, landline, cellphone, television and radio from totals.
- All assets reported in working order.
The results presented in Figure 8.19 showed an upward trend in ownership of refrigerators, televisions and
cellphones. The overwhelming majority (92,1%) of households in the country owned a cellphone in working
order, a notable increase from the 32,3% in 2001. Just under four-fifths (79%) of households owned televisions
compared to the 52,6% in 2001. The ownership of a refrigerator/freezer increased from 53,8% in 2001 to
83,2% in 2022. In contrast, households owning a radio decreased significantly from 73% in 2001 to 50,3% in
2022. In addition, there is a downward trend in households that owned a landline telephone over the period
2001–2022.
Census 2022
Figure 8.20: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of household goods, Census 2022
100 92.1
90 86.9
83.2
79.0
80
70
60 56.0
50.3
% 50
42.3
40 33.6 31.1
30 24.7
20 15.0
10 5.8
0
Note: Percentages for 2022 exclude ‘Unspecified’ for household goods from totals.
The results presented in Figure 8.20 showed that ownership of cellphones at household level is universal.
Conversely, a landline telephone has become the least owned good. Ownership of electric/gas stoves (86,9%),
refrigerators/freezers (83,2%) and televisions (79%) were more common than the ownership of landlines
(5,8%), vacuum cleaners (15%) and computers (24,7%).
Census 2022
Figure 8.21: Percentage distribution of households by ownership of selected household goods and
province, Census 2022
100
90
80
70
60
50
%
40
30
20
10
0
Computer 39.8 13.3 18.2 21.7 19.3 16.6 32.8 20.9 17.6 24.7
Television 83.8 72.2 30.2 81.0 77.6 76.9 81.1 79.9 77.7 79.0
Cellphone 92.1 87.9 85.4 91.1 92.3 90.8 93.9 93.3 93.1 92.1
Note: Percentages for 2022 exclude ‘Unspecified’ for computer, television and cellphone from totals.
Results on ownership of a computer, television and cellphone across provinces are presented in Figure 8.21.
It is noted that households in the Western Cape (39,8%) are three times more likely to own a computer
compared to households in the Eastern Cape (13,3%). Similarly, over four-fifths of households in the Western
Cape (83,8%), Gauteng (81,1%) and the Free State (81%) owned a television compared to 30,2% in the
Northern Cape. The ownership of cellphones was universal in most provinces, with the exception of Eastern
Cape (87,9%) and Northern Cape (85,4%).
Census 2022
8.4.4 Access to internet
Figure 8.22: Percentage distribution of households by main access to internet, Census 2011 and
2022
70
60
50
40
%
30
20
10
0
Home with an
Use cellphone No access to
internet From place of From
or any other internet
connection in work elsewhere
mobile device services
the dwelling
Census 2011 8.6 16.3 4.7 5.6 64.8
Census 2022 13.3 60.5 0.3 4.7 21.1
Generally, there has been upward trend in access to internet services over the period 2011–2022. This is
attributed to rapid advancement in communication services, such as cellphone ownership. Overall, households
with no access to internet decreased threefold (from 64,8% in 2011 to 21,1% in 2022). A substantial percentage
of households reported accessing internet mainly through a cellphone or other mobile device (60,5%)
compared to 16,3% recorded in 2011. There was an increase in the percentage of households accessing
internet mainly at home, from 8,6% in 2011 to 13,3% in 2022. It is also noted that households accessing
internet mainly using other methods decreased significantly. Households accessing internet mainly at work
decreased by four percentage points (from 4,7% in 2011 to 0,3% in 2022).
Census 2022
Figure 8.23: Percentage distribution of households with no access to internet by province, Census
2011 and 2022
80
70
60
50
% 40
30
20
10
0
2011 56.3 75.9 74.1 68.8 66.4 73.7 53.6 68.6 75.7 64.8
2022 16.1 34.3 28.8 20.8 18.0 27.6 13.6 22.0 31.9 21.1
Figure 8.23 showed provincial variations in households with no access to internet. About one-third (34,3%) of
households in the Eastern Cape and 31,9% in Limpopo reported to have no access to the internet in 2022
compared to Gauteng, where only 13,6% had no internet access. Households that did not have access to the
internet decreased significantly between 2011 and 2022 in all provinces, with only 21,1% of households
reporting that they had no access to the internet compared to 64,8% in 2011.
Census 2022
9. AGRICULTURAL HOUSEHOLDS
9.1 Background
This section profiles Census 2022 results on households’ involvement in agriculture and provides useful
insights on agricultural activity at household level. The statistics will equip policy makers to optimise agriculture
as a driver of food security, job creation and rural development, as envisaged in the National Development
Plan. The information collected on households’ involvement in agriculture also to identify all households
involved in agriculture in the country in order to develop a frame for smallholder and subsistence agriculture.
The Census 2022 main questionnaire was used as a tool to identify households involved in agricultural activity.
The questions were structured as follows:
 Main agricultural activity;
 Quantity of livestock/poultry the household owned as on census night;
 Main purpose of involvement in agricultural activities; and
 Place and size of agricultural activities.
9.2 Number of agricultural households
Census 2022 shows that 13,8% (2 463 429) of all households are agricultural households compared to 19,9%
in 2011 (2 879 590). The major provinces contributing to the decrease are KwaZulu-Natal (-167 726
agricultural households), Eastern Cape (-114 846 agricultural households) and Free State (-65 522 agricultural
households).
Most of the agricultural households were in KwaZulu-Natal (24,9%), Eastern Cape (20,7%) and Limpopo
(16,3%) in 2011. In 2022, KwaZulu-Natal (22,3%) still reported the highest percentage of agricultural
households. However, Limpopo (21,1%) overtook Eastern Cape (19,6%). Northern Cape and Western Cape
reported the lowest percentage of agricultural households in both 2011 and 2022.
Census 2022
Table 9.1: Number of agricultural households by province, Census 2011 and 2022
Agricultural households Non-agricultural households
2011 2022 2011 2022
Province Number % Number % Number % Number %
Western Cape 84 567 2,9 54 644 2,2 1 549 357 13,4 2 209 388 14,4
Eastern Cape 596 570 20,7 481 724 19,6 1 090 774 9,4 1 357 236 8,8
Northern Cape 55 151 1,9 33 650 1,4 246 249 2,1 299 904 2,0
Free State 201 284 7,0 135 762 5,5 622 001 5,4 709 488 4,6
KwaZulu-Natal 716 994 24,9 549 268 22,3 1 822 343 15,8 2 304 472 15,0
North West 214 045 7,4 167 578 6,8 847 953 7,3 973 714 6,3
Gauteng 279 095 9,7 264 554 10,7 3 629 731 31,4 5 054 111 32,9
Mpumalanga 263 389 9,1 256 117 10,4 812 076 7,0 1 165 604 7,6
Limpopo 468 494 16,3 520 133 21,1 949 591 8,2 1 291 432 8,4
South Africa 2 879 590 100,0 2 463 429 100,0 11 570 074 100,0 15 365 349 100,0
The trends in percentage contribution by various population groups to total agricultural households remained
largely the same in the two years. Black African households (91,4% in 2011 and 90,8% in 2022) constituted
the largest percentage of agricultural households, followed by white households (5,2% in both 2011 and 2022)
in both years.
Table 9.2: Number of agricultural households by population group, Census 2011 and 2022
Agricultural households Non-agricultural households
2011 2022 2011 2022
Population
group Number % Number % Number % Number %
Black African 2 625 793 91,4 2 234 045 90,8 8 734 527 76,0 11 329 339 74,0
Coloured 77 079 2,7 80 211 3,3 978 969 8,5 1 508 492 9,8
Indian/Asian 20 204 0,7 19 047 0,8 326 995 2,8 546 170 3,6
White 150 865 5,2 127 025 5,2 1 455 563 12,7 1 931 225 12,6
Total 2 873 941 100,0 2 460 328 100,0 11 496 054 100,0 15 315 227 100,0
Note: Figures exclude ‘other’ population group.
Livestock and poultry production was the leading agricultural activity, reported in 959 365 (38,9%) households,
followed by fruit or vegetable production (661 613 or 26,9%) and grains, food crops and industrial crops
(650 096 or 26,4%). Eastern Cape (247 902 or 25,8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (247 043 or 25,8%) reported the
highest number of households involved in livestock and poultry production. The leading provinces in the
production of grains, food crops and industrial crops were Limpopo (250 463 or 38,5%) and KwaZulu-Natal
(126 727 or 19,5%).
Census 2022
Table 9.3: Number of agricultural households by type of activity and province, Census 2022
Growing of
Grains, food crops
Livestock crops and Fruit or combined
and poultry industrial vegetable with farming
Province production crops production of animals Other
Western Cape 15 313 5 194 30 137 2 093 1 907
Eastern Cape 247 902 89 962 72 569 70 417 873
Northern Cape 24 607 1 877 6 250 689 227
Free State 37 939 20 942 72 803 3 699 380
KwaZulu-Natal 247 043 126 727 117 789 55 514 2 195
North West 106 649 17 325 38 613 4 575 416
Gauteng 27 207 51 187 180 233 3 464 2 463
Mpumalanga 87 732 86 419 66 296 14 734 936
Limpopo 164 976 250 463 76 924 26 483 1 287
South Africa 959 368 650 096 661 613 181 668 10 685
Table 9.4 shows that black African households were the leading population group in all agricultural activities
in 2022.
Table 9.4: Number of agricultural households by type of activity and population group, Census 2022
Growing of crops
Livestock and Grains, food Fruit or combined with
poultry crops and vegetable farming of
Population group production industrial crops production animals
Black African 875 618 615 674 566 650 170 972
Coloured 30 824 13 112 31 928 3 141
Indian/Asian 3 629 4 025 10 409 456
White 48 529 16 595 51 150 6 988
Total 958 601 649 406 660 137 181 557
The main place used for household agricultural activity in 2022 was backyard (2 196 736 or 89,2%), followed
by farm land (131 105 or 5,3%) as shown in Table 9.5 below. ‘Other’, which includes schools and other public
spaces, was reported by 51 007 households, and constituted the least reported place of agricultural activity.
Census 2022
Table 9.5: Number of agricultural households by place of agricultural activity and province, Census
2022
Communal
Province Backyard Farm land land Other Total
Western Cape 34 880 14 579 1 528 3 637 54 624
Eastern Cape 422 542 20 603 26 328 12 085 481 558
Northern Cape 25 657 4 910 2 296 770 33 633
Free State 119 389 10 070 4 228 2 061 135 748
KwaZulu-Natal 493 402 21 195 21 181 13 370 549 148
North West 145 700 11 984 5 610 4 239 167 533
Gauteng 238 999 16 364 4 432 4 686 264 481
Mpumalanga 235 486 11 498 5 502 3 593 256 079
Limpopo 480 680 19 902 12 907 6 567 520 056
South Africa 2 196 736 131 105 84 013 51 007 2 462 861
Note: Figures exclude ‘unspecified’ place of agricultural activity.
The distribution of households according to population group and place of agricultural activity displayed similar
patterns to those displayed in the distribution of agricultural activity by population group in Table 9.6. Black
Africans dominated all types of places of agricultural activities.
Table 9.6: Number of agricultural households by place of agricultural activity and population group,
Census 2022
Communal
Population group Backyard Farm land land Other Total
Black African 2 043 627 72 079 76 114 41 739 2 233 559
Coloured 68 372 6 324 3 019 2 464 80 179
Indian or Asian 16 162 1 655 524 701 19 043
White 66 241 50 534 4 252 5 953 126 979
Total 2 194 402 130 592 83 910 50 857 2 459 761
Note: Figures exclude ‘other’ population group and ‘unspecified’ place of agricultural activity.
Most of the households were involved in agriculture to produce ‘only for own consumption’ (1 988 825 or
80,7%) and ‘mainly for own consumption with some sale’ (189 371 or 7,7%). Approximately 4,3% or 107 112
of agricultural households were producing ‘only for sale’.
Census 2022
and province, Census 2022
Producing
Producing mainly for
mainly for own
sale with consumption Producing
Producing some own with some only for own
Province only for sale consumption sales consumption Total
Western Cape 11 972 7 432 3 884 31 352 54 640
Eastern Cape 17 067 37 574 49 785 377 247 481 673
Northern Cape 2 886 5 101 4 131 21 521 33 639
Free State 7 817 10 509 8 387 109 035 135 748
KwaZulu-Natal 17 171 32 485 45 053 454 524 549 233
North West 8 725 16 687 16 742 125 412 167 566
Gauteng 11 391 19 278 13 641 220 210 264 520
Mpumalanga 9 637 16 015 15 552 214 901 256 105
Limpopo 20 446 32 828 32 196 434 623 520 093
South Africa 107 112 177 907 189 371 1 988 825 2 463 215
Most black African agricultural households were involved to produce ‘only for own consumption’ (1 854 308 or
83,0%) compared with 55 787 or 43,9% of white agricultural households.
and population group, Census 2022
Producing
Producing mainly for
mainly for own
sale with consumption Producing
Population Producing some own with some only for own
group only for sale consumption sales consumption Total
Black African 64 231 143 974 171 354 1 854 308 2 233 867
Coloured 4 839 7 286 6 082 61 990 80 197
Indian or Asian 1 452 1 620 1 370 14 606 19 047
White 36 230 24 651 10 335 55 787 127 002
Total 106 753 177 530 189 141 1 986 691 2 460 114
Note: Figures exclude ‘other’ population group and ‘unspecified’ main purpose of involvement in agricultural activities.
With the exception of chickens, Eastern Cape reported the highest numbers in all types of livestock ownership.
Nationally, chickens (38,2 million) were the most numerous type of livestock kept at household level, followed
by sheep (17,7 million) and cattle (12,3 million).
Census 2022
Table 9.9: Number of livestock by type and province, Census 2022
Province Cattle Sheep Goats Pigs Chickens

Western Cape 672 257 2 311 221 213 404 203 457 2 988 688
Eastern Cape 3 913 602 10 237 266 2 415 292 484 368 6 401 159
Northern Cape 241 906 1 222 727 287 359 31 924 488 011
Free State 1 011 757 1 440 964 348 912 179 827 1 888 054
KwaZulu-Natal 2 604 077 577 895 1 881 318 209 657 7 767 408
North West 1 141 010 550 344 451 707 141 949 5 591 672
Gauteng 483 591 291 271 171 027 296 701 5 211 709
Mpumalanga 1 105 270 436 112 308 045 182 726 3 142 860
Limpopo 1 158 976 592 758 862 580 262 530 4 752 754
South Africa 12 332 446 17 660 558 6 939 644 1 993 139 38 232 314
The black African and white population groups were the most dominant in livestock and chicken farming. The
highest number of cattle (7,7 million) and sheep (12,5 million) were reported in white-headed households,
whereas most chickens (19,0 million), goats (4,9 million) and pigs (1,1 million) were reported in black African
households.
Table 9.10: Number of livestock by type and population group, Census 2022
Population group Cattle Sheep Goats Pigs Chickens

Black African 4 361 129 4 482 096 4 897 656 1 052 055 18 950 901
Coloured 170 420 458 024 190 534 66 421 1 208 204
Indian or Asian 72 865 174 860 39 915 13 783 160 005
White 7 700 506 12 472 228 1 789 748 855 312 17 588 245
Total 12 304 919 17 587 208 6 917 854 1 987 571 37 907 355
Census 2022
REFERENCES
Casey, L. and Stazen, L. (2021). Seeing Homelessness through the Sustainable Development Goals.
European Journal of Homelessness. 15(3): 147-155. Accessed from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357899040_Developing_Sustainable_Solutions_to_End_Homeless
ness
Crush, J., Williams, V. & Peberdy, S. (2005). Migration in Southern Africa. A paper prepared for the Policy
Analysis and Research Programme of the Global Commission on International Migration. 1-39. Accessed
from: https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/2018-07/RS7.pdf
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Statistics Division (2017). Principles and
Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses (Revision 3). United Nations: New York
Census 2022
CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
Concept Definition
Acting head of household Person recognised or nominated by the household as assuming the role
of the household head in the absence of the usual household head
Acting head of household Person recognised or nominated by the household as assuming the role
of the household head in the absence of the usual household head
Adopted child Child who is raised by another person/individual other than their biological
parents
Adult basic education and Adult-focused qualification that is registered at level 1 of the National
training (ABET) Qualification Framework (NQF), known as the General Education and
Training Certificate (GETC): ABET Level 4
Age in completed years Person’s age at their last birthday
Age-specific enrolment ratio Proportion of the population in specific age group attending school to the
total population in that age group
Attend (educational Enrolled at and going regularly to any accredited educational institution
institution) (public or private) for organised learning at any level of education
Basic education Years of schooling from grade R to grade 12
Biological father Father who brought the child into the world; this means they biologically
created the child
Bucket sanitation system Toilet system with a pail or other removable receptacle placed directly
under the toilet seat, and where no water or chemical is used
Bucket toilet (collected by Bucket provided by the municipality, and which is collected, usually once
municipality) per week, by the municipality
Context: Used buckets are replaced with clean buckets
Census day Day of the population census date
Census night Night before the census day
Child Person below the age of 18 years
Cluster house Freestanding property/house in a complex with a common boundary wall,
but not sharing dwelling walls
Compulsory education Number of years or the age-span during which children and youth are
legally obliged to attend school
Converted hostel Hostel where the accommodation has been converted into self-contained
units for households
COVID Acute respiratory illness in humans caused by a coronavirus, capable of
producing severe symptoms and in some cases death, especially in older
people and those with underlying health conditions
Crude enrolment ratio Percentage of the total enrolment at all levels to the total population
Data editing Activity aimed at detecting and correcting errors (logical inconsistencies)
in data set
Context: Editing techniques refers to a range of procedures and
processes used for detecting and handling errors in data. Examples of
different techniques include the different approaches to editing such as
micro-editing/ macro-editing, input/output editing, or to the various tools
available for editing such as graphical editing, interactive editing, etc.
De facto census Census in which population units are enumerated according to where
they were on census night
De facto household member Household members including visitors that are present in the dwelling unit
during the reference night
Denomination Branch of religion or faith group
Census 2022
Concept Definition
Diploma Qualification that has National Qualification Framework (NQF) exit level 6
and with the total minimum credits of 240 for vocational diploma or 360
for professional diploma
Distance learning Learning where interaction between the lecturer/supervisor and the
student is not on the premises of the institution (DHET)
Drop-out rate Percentage of learners who withdraw from an education and training
programme before completion
Dwelling, house Freestanding, complete structure on a separate stand or a self-contained
dwelling unit, granny flat, outbuildings and garages, on the same
premises as an existing residence
Education institution Any registered institution providing education
Education level Highest level of educational programme the person has successfully
completed
Educational Highest grade completed at school or the highest post-school
attainment/educational qualification obtained
achievement
Educator Person who teaches, educates or trains other person or provides
professional educational services
Enrolled learner Person who is registered as a learner
Enrolment Act of being registered at an educational institution for a specific learning
programme
Enrolment ratio Proportion of the population registered with an educational institution to
the total population in that age group
Field of study Area of specialisation or organising field in which a student intends to
specialise in his/her programme of studies for a particular qualification
(Adapted DHET: area of study)
Flat Dwelling, usually on one floor, with at least one wall shared with another
such dwelling, within a block of flats
Context: Synonym is apartment
Formal dwelling Structure built according to an approved plan i.e. house, flat, apartment,
townhouse, flat let, duplex, second dwelling, etc.
Formal education Education that is institutionalised, intentional and planned through public
organisations and recognised private bodies
Geo-point Spatial point geometry that represents a structure on the ground using x y
coordinates as reference
Grade Part of an educational programme which a learner may complete in one
school year, or any other education programme which the members of
the Executive Council may deem equivalent thereto
Grade-specific enrolment Ratio of the enrolment in a specific grade to the total enrolment at all
ratio levels
Graduate Student who has satisfied all requirements of the full qualification for
which he/she was registered for DHET
Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) Total enrolment in a specific level of education, regardless of age,
expressed as percentage of the eligibly aged population corresponding to
the same level of education in a given academic year
Head of household Member of the household identified by the household as their head
Higher education All learning programmes which must be registered in accordance with the
provisions of the NQF Act 67 of 2008 (DHET)
Higher education institution Institution that provides learning programmes on a full-time, part-time or
distance basis, and which is established, deemed to be established or
declared as a public higher education institution or registered or
Census 2022
Concept Definition
conditionally registered as a private higher education institution under the
Higher Education Act, No.101 of 1997 (DHET)
Highest level of education Highest grade completed at school or highest post-school qualification
obtained
Home education Programme of education that a parent of a learner may provide to his/her
own child at their own home. Note: A parent may, if necessary, enlist the
services of a tutor for specific areas of the curriculum; or a legal
independent form of education, alternative to attendance at a public or an
independent school
Home language Language most often used by the individual at home, whether or not they
consider it their mother tongue
Hostel Collective form of accommodation for workers or students, but not
including boarding school hostels
Household Group of people who live together at least four nights a week, eat
together and share resources, or a single person who lives alone
Household member Person that resides with the household for an average of four nights a
week for the past four weeks
Informal dwelling Makeshift structure built but not approved by a local authority and not
intended as a permanent dwelling
Informal learning Forms of learning that are intentional and deliberate but are not
institutionalised (DHET adapted)
Informal settlement Areas that have not been planned, surveyed or proclaimed, which
develop in absence of government planning processes
Intake rate (Basic education) Proportion of children of children of admission age, who are admitted to
school for the first time
Late starters rate (Grade 1) Proportion of all admissions to Grade 1 that are over the official
admission age
Learner Any person receiving basic education
Learner-educator ratio Average number of learners per educator at a specific level of education
in a given school year
Learning area Field of knowledge, skills and values which has unique features as well
as connections with other fields of knowledge and learning areas. Source:
DBE
Literacy Ability to read and write with understanding in any language. Note: A
person, who can with understanding, both read and write a short simple
statement on his everyday life is considered literate
Literacy rate Proportion of literate persons in a given age group to the total population
in that age group
Literacy ratio Proportion of the population above 15 years of age who can write and
read with understanding, expressed as a percentage of the total
population of the same age
Living together as a couple Couples living together as though they are married who are not married
Map Reference Number (MRN) Unique identifier of a geo-point within an EA
Median age Age at which exactly half the population is older and half is younger
Multiple household Two or more households living in the same dwelling unit
Natural gas Consists mainly of methane occurring naturally in underground deposits
Context: It may be associated with free gas
Non-contact Situation where an enumerator fails to make contact with a household at
an address, an individual in a collective living quarters
Non-formal education Additional, alternative and/or a complement to formal education within the
process of the lifelong learning of individuals
Census 2022
Concept Definition
Part-time student Student enrolled in an education programme whose study load is less
than 75 per cent of the normal full-time study load
Piped water in dwelling or on Piped water inside the household’s own dwelling or in their yard. It
site excludes water from a neighbour’s tap or a public tap that is not on site.
Piped water in dwelling or on Piped water inside the households own dwelling or in their yard. It
site excludes water from a neighbours tap or a public tap that is not on site
Place of enumeration Place where the person was on census night (in a de facto census),
whether or not this is his/her usual place of residence
Population census Total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and
publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social
data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country or in a well
delimited part of a country
Population group Classification of “people” by race
Post enumeration survey Sample survey conducted immediately after the census to evaluate the
(PES) census and to inform adjustments for undercount/overcount
Post-enumeration Stage of the census after all questionnaires have been administered and
collected
Promotion rate Proportion of learners from a cohort enrolled in a given grade at a given
school year who proceed to the next grade in the following year
Proxy Person who answers questions on behalf of another person
Publicity Type of public relations in the form of a news item or story which conveys
information about a product, service, or idea in the media
Pupil-teacher ratio Average number of pupil per teacher at a given level of education, based
on the head counts of both pupil and teachers in a given school year
Qualification Formal recognition of the achievement of the required number and range
of credits and such other requirements at specific levels of the National
Qualifications Framework as may be determined by the relevant bodies
registered for such purpose by the South African Qualification Authority
Religion Religious or spiritual belief or preference, or an affiliation with an
organised group having specific religious or spiritual tenets
Remembering Use of memory to recall incidents or events
Context: It means the individual can bring to mind or think again about
something that has taken place in the past (either the recent past or
further back). With younger people, remembering is often associated with
storing facts learned in school and being able to retrieve them when
needed
Sanitation Principles and practices relating to the collection, removal or disposal of
human excreta, household waste water and refuse, as they impact upon
people and the environment
Seeing Individual using his/her eyes and visual capacity in order to perceive or
observe what is happening around them
Segmentation Division of congested EAs of informal areas into manageable working
areas
Self-enumeration Completion of survey questionnaires by the respondents themselves
Self-unpacking Process whereby the respondent records all structures that are located
within his/her yard/stand attached to a geo-point
Sex Biological distinction between males and females
Sex ratio Ratio of males to females in a given population, usually expressed as the
number of males for every 100 females
Single Marital status of a person, who is never married
Census 2022
Concept Definition
Small Area layer (output area) Combination of contiguous EAs within a sub-place having similar
geography types and a combined dwelling unit count of 500 or more
Spouse Currently married to an individual
Tenure status Determines the terms under which the household occupies the dwelling
that they are living in, i.e. the financial arrangements under which
someone has the right to live in a dwelling
Context: This refers to the main dwelling structure only and NOT to the
land that it is situated on
Toilet Installation for the disposal of human excreta
Undercount Number of people or households that were not counted in the census
Widowed Marital status of a person whose spouse has died and who has not
married again
Youth Person aged 15 – 34 years
Census 2022
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STATISTICAL RELEASE

IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

8.3 Housing ...........................................................................................................................................68

ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS DESCRIPTION

ACRONYMS / ABBREVIATIONS DESCRIPTION

2.2 Population size

Figure 2.1: Total population by census year, Census 1996–2022

Table 2.1: Distribution of population by province and sex, Census 1996–2022

Figure 2.2: Percentage distribution of the population by province, Census 1996–2022

2.3 Population composition

1996 2001 2011 2022

Figure 2.3: Percentage distribution by population group, Census 1996–2022

2.4 Age and sex structure

5-year age group

Black African Coloured Indian/Asian White

Census 1996 (blue shaded) and Census 2022 (transparent)

Female (2022) Male (2022) Female (1996) Male (1996)

Census 2001 (blue shaded) and Census 2022 (transparent)

Female (2022) Male (2022) Female (2001) Male (2001)

Census 2011 (blue shaded) and Census 2022 (transparent)

Female (2022) Male (2022) Female (2011) Male (2011)

2.5 Sex ratio

Table 2.7: Sex ratio by province, Census 1996–2022

Figure 2.9: Sex ratio by population group, Census 1996–2022

Figure 2.10: Sex ratio by 5-year age groups, Census 1996–2022

2.6 Median age

Figure 2.11: Median age by province, Census 1996–2022

Figure 2.12: Median age by population group, Census 1996–2022

2.7 Marital status

Legally married (include 29.9

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0

Other 45.7 41.2 7.5 2.5 2.6

White 25.5 54.8 6.1 5.7 7.3

Indian/Asian 37.0 48.5 3.2 3.1 7.5

Coloured 52.7 30.2 7.7 3.2 5.6

Black African 68.0 19.2 8.1 1.0 3.4

Total 62.2 24.0 7.8 1.6 4.0

Never married % Legally married

2.8 Language most often spoken in the household

2.9 Religious affiliation/belief

Table 2.10: Percentage distribution of population by religious affiliation/belief, Census 2022

3.2 Interprovincial migration, Census 2011 to 2022

3.3 Lifetime migration

Province of Province of usual residence

Figure 3.1: Population born outside South Africa, Census 1996–2022

2011 Male 2011 Female 2022 Male 2022 Female

3.5 Sending countries

Zimbabwe 672,308 Zimbabwe 1,012,059

4.2 Attendance at an educational institution

4.2.1 Education profile of learners aged 0–4 years

Black/African Coloured Indian/Asian White Other Total

4.2.2 General attendance of educational institutions by individuals aged 5–24

Educational attainment for persons aged 20 years and older

4.3 Field of education for persons aged 20 years and older

5. GENERAL HEALTH AND FUNCTIONING