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Blog : 28 August 2016 (South Africa's population per province over time)
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We take a look at an interactive map of South Africa, showing South Africa's population per province over time. The smallest province in terms of land size is the most populis province in the country. Leading to a very high population density in Gauteng. See our population density map.
In total South Africa has 55 908 861 living in it by end of June 2016. This is the highest population number ever measured in South Africa. |
SA Map
Below an interactive map showing South Africa's population per province from 2001 to 2016. South Africa's most populis province, Gauteng, is it's smallest province in terms of land area too, making it South Africa's most densely populated province. See our population density map.
The map below clearly shows that the two most populated provinces in South Africa is Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal. And as mentioned earlier the smallest province in South Africa in terms of land size is the most populated province in the country. This is due to the result of people flocking to Gauteng in order to look for employment.
A couple of months ago we did an article and interactive map regarding migration of people into Gauteng. Click here to read the article and to see the interactive map showing the size of migration into Gauteng from the various provinces. In summary the article found that In October 2011 (date of the Census) there were 11 967 586 people living in Gauteng (23% of South Africa's population crammed into South Africa's smallest province in terms of square meters). Of the 11 967 586 people living in Gauteng, 6 633 806 people were born in Gauteng. This leaves 5 333 718 people living in Gauteng that were not born in Gauteng.
The main reason people are migrating into Gauteng is to look for work. This is no surprise as the smallest province in terms of land size contributes roughly 37% to South Africa's total economy. Therefore a lot of economic activity is clustered into a very small space. The reason Gauteng became South Africa's economic hub is due to the Gold rush in Johannesburg in the late 18th century.
Being such a small province with such a dense population, it does come with it's own set of problems, from lack of services to all who live in the province to excessive amounts of time spent in traffic (as we highlighted in our commuter time article).
Being such a small province with such a dense population, it does come with it's own set of problems, from lack of services to all who live in the province to excessive amounts of time spent in traffic (as we highlighted in our commuter time article).