South Africa’s white population is shrinking
South Africa’s white population is shrinking, down more than 70,000 over the past five years, according to new data by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
The country has added 800,000 people to its population over the past year, and has grown by more than 15 million people since 1996, StatsSA said.
The stats body unveiled its community survey for 2016 showing that the country’s population has reached 55.7 million in 2016 – up from 40.6 million in 1996.
- 2001 – 44.8 million
- 2011 – 51.8 million
- 2015 – 54.9 million
- 2016 – 55.7 million
Breaking down the population by racial segments, the data showed that the country’s white population has declined from 4 586 838 in 2011, to 4 516 691 in 2016 – a loss of 70,147 people (-1.5%).
The black population has increased by nearly four million over the same period – from 41 000 938, to 44 891 603 people (+9.5%).
The coloured population has increased to 4 869 526 from 4 615 401 people (+5.5%), while the Indian/Asian population has grown to 1 375 834, from 1 286 930 people in 2011 (+6.9%).
Read: How many South Africans are moving to Australia
In the 0-4 age group, StatsSA recorded a white population of 268,267 in 2011, dropping to 253,035 in 2016.
In the 20-24 age group, and 25-29 category, the numbers show a decline from 313,616 and 336,355, to 303,257, and 287,792 people respectively.
A similar pattern emerges in the 30’s age group – 318,329 whites between the ages of 30-34 in 2011, down to 279,475, while in the 35-39 group, the population has declined to 278,789, from 342,316, in 2011.
| Race Group | Census 2011 | % of population | CS 2016 | % of population | Change (pop. numbers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 41 000 938 | 79.2% | 44 891 603 | 80.6% | +9.5% |
| Coloured | 4 615 401 | 8.9% | 4 869 526 | 8.8% | +5.5% |
| White | 4 586 838 | 8.9% | 4 516 691 | 8.1% | -1.5% |
| Indian/Asian | 1 286 930 | 2.5% | 1 375 834 | 2.5% | +6.9% |
| Other | 280 454 | 0.5% | – | – | – |
| Total | 51 770 560 | 100.0% | 55 653 654 | 100.0% | +7.5% |
Gauteng remains the most populous province in the country with 13.4 million people, up from 13.2 million in 2015, and from 12.3 million in 2011.
KwaZulu-Natal is the second most populous province, with 11.1 million people, followed by the Eastern Cape, with 7 million people, and the Western Cape, with 6.3 million people.
More on South Africa
South Africa’s young white population is shrinking
Here’s what an expert says is causing white South Africans to leave the country
Loading ...
