South Africa’s population hits 57.7 million

Statistics South Africa has released its mid-year population
estimates report for 2018, with an estimated 57.7 million
people living in the country as of 1 July 2018.

While births and deaths are considered the main drivers of
population change, migration continues to be a significant
player – not only demographically but politically, economically
and socially, Stats SA said.

The report found that South Africa is estimated to receive a
net immigration of 1.02 million people between 2016 and 2021.

Most of these international migrants settle in Gauteng (47.5%)
while the least are found in the Northern Cape province (0.7%).

“Gauteng is considered the economic hub of the country,
attracting international migrants as well as domestic migrants
from rural provinces such as Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern
Cape.

“The economic strength of Gauteng relates to ‘pull’ factors
that influence its attractiveness to migrants. Gauteng receives
the highest number of in-migrants for the period 2016 to 2021.
Better economic opportunities, jobs, and the promise of a
better life are some of the factors that make Gauteng an
attractive destination,” it said.

According to the report, the Western Cape is set to
receive the second highest number of in-migrants for the period
2016 to 2021.

“In this instance, the ‘push’ factors are what may drive people
from the Eastern Cape towards the Western Cape,” said Stats SA.

“Poor economic activity and lack of job opportunities are
strong push factors for migration. According to the Quarterly
Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2018, the EC had
the highest unemployment rate in the country at 35.6%.”

“Movements within and across South Africa’s borders impact not
only the population structure of the country and provinces
within South Africa, but potentially the economic, political
and social composition of a community, province and the country
as a whole.”

It added that understanding and planning for current and
projected migration patterns in South Africa is imperative for
continued growth and development.

---

Read: A look at the new R10 billion
Sky City development in Johannesburg