Demographics of South Africa

South Africa has a population of over 47 million people of diverse origins, languages, cultures and beliefs. According to the demographics of South Africa, the population is divided into four major racial categories - Blacks, Whites, colored and Indian/Asian. The Blacks constitute 79.5% of the total population and are further divided into several ethnic groups including those from Angola and Mozambique. The Whites constitute approximately 13% of the demographics of South Africa and are largely descendants of Dutch, French, English and German settlers of the late 17 th century. Coloreds are a mixed race and make up 9% of the population while Asians make up 2.5%. The demographics of South Africa stand out for its ethnic diversity.

Demographic Statistics

Age Structure

0-14 years : 29.7% (male 6,603,220/female 6,525,810)

15-64 year s: 65% (male 13,955,950/female 14,766,843)

65 years and over : 5.3% (male 905,870/female 1,429,944) (2006 est .)

Population Growth Rate

0.4% (2006 est.)

0.02% (2002 est.)

Birth Rate

18.2 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

20.63 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death Rate

22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

18.68 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total population: 43.73years

Male: 43.25 years

Female: 43.19 years (2005 est.)

Total population: 45.43 years

Male: 45.19 years

Female: 45.68 years (2000 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Total: 60.66 deaths/1,000 live births

Male: 64.31 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 56.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Religion

Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, other Christian 36%, Islam 1.5%, Hinduism 1.2%, Judaism 0.3%, other 2%, unspecified 1.4%, none 14.9% (2001 census)

Languages

11 official languages, which include Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu. Other languages spoken are San dialects, Portuguese, German, Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati and Tamil.

Literacy

Definition: Age 15 and over, can read and write

Total population: 86.4%

Male: 87%

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