New population estimates offer magisterial district detail

Prof Eric Udjo, research director of the demographic research division of the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at UNISA, has released a study report that not only computes population estimates for the South African population by province, but also up to magisterial district.

It addresses the growing concerns among planners on the lack of contemporary and/or accurate population estimates at magisterial district in particular.

The report estimates the total population of South Africa as at June 2010 at approximately 49.9 million with an estimate that KwaZulu-Natal accommodates the largest proportion (21%) of the South African population while the Northern Cape houses the smallest percentage (2%). Population estimates for South Africa by province and selected magisterial districts are reflected in Table 1 below.

Table 1 - South African Estimated Population for the Most-Populated Magisterial Districts Per Province

Province	Magisterial district	Estimate
Gauteng	Soweto	1 100 528
Eastern Cape	Port Elizabeth	935 338
KwaZulu-Natal	Inanda	956 884
Western Cape	Mitchells Plain	978 177
Limpopo	Sekhukhuneland	537 088

The 63-page report provides essential population estimates for South Africa for decision makers who use demographic estimates up to magisterial level in particular. The estimates have particular relevance for land use planners, housing/community development planners, planners working in developing areas, transport planners as well as planners operating in the public (e.g. water supply planning, planning of new schools, parks etc.) and private (e.g. residential commercial development) sectors. The full report may be purchased from the BMR.