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Newsletter 145 - Fertility rates decline across the country

Fertility rates across all provinces have fallen over the past decade. Gauteng and the Western Cape continue to have relatively low rates.

Women are having fewer children in South Africa and will continue to do so. This is according to Statistics South Africa’s Mid-year population estimates and projections by the Institute for Futures Research (IFR).

 
All provinces have seen a drop in fertility rates between 2001-06 and 2006-11. This is the number of children a woman is expected to have during her child-bearing years.
 
The Eastern Cape had the highest fertility rate during the initial period but later dropped to fourth place. Gauteng had the lowest during both periods. By 2011, the fertility rate in the province had dropped to the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, the rate required to ensure that the population is able to replace itself. Limpopo had the highest fertility rate by 2011.
 

Fertility rate by province
Province
2001-06
2006-11
Eastern Cape
3.44
2.76
Free State
2.43
2.32
Gauteng
2.20
2.10
KwaZulu-Natal
3.21
2.81
Limpopo
3.03
2.85
Mpumalanga
2.74
2.47
North West
3.12
2.78
Northern Cape
2.60
2.40
Western Cape
2.49
2.30
South Africa
2.81
2.52

Source: Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Mid-year population estimates 2011, Statistical release P0302, 27 July 2011, Figure 1, p10
Fertility rates are declining partly because of improved education and higher labour participation among the female population. With education and improved income levels, contraception is also more affordable and accessible, thus helping to prevent or delay child-birth. Urbanisation and the high costs of raising a child have played a role in reducing fertility.
 
According to the IFR, the fertility rates of the African and coloured population groups will continue to decline over the next 30 years. On the other hand, the white and Indian population groups will see a slight increase.
 
-          Thuthukani Ndebele
 
 
 
 
 
by Lerato Moloi — last modified 2011-11-10 15:21
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