Ageing is an important biological phase in an individual's lifetime. It impacts on the demographic, socio-economic
and social welfare of the country in diverse ways, generating policy interest, as governments seek to set national
priorities that cater for elderly persons as a vulnerable group. Current and future efforts to address the needs of
elderly persons require statistical evidence. This report provides valuable information on the demographic and
socio-economic profiles of the elderly population in South Africa, based on the three post-1994 censuses.
The number and proportion of elderly persons aged 60 years and older relative to those aged 59 and younger
has increased over the period 1996–2011. The number has increased from 2,8 million in 1996 to 4,1 million in
2011, and the proportions from 7,1% in 1996 to 8,0% in 2011. Projections show that the older population will
continue to increase and by 2030 there will be approximately seven million elderly persons in South Africa.
The composition and distribution of elderly persons reflect noticeable differences between sexes, population
groups, ethnic groups and regions. Sex variations show that old age in South Africa is highly feminised. The sex
ratio, a key measure of sex composition, increased from 64 to 66 elderly men per 100 elderly women over the
period 1996–2011, suggesting an improvement in health among men. Limpopo province had the lowest number
of elderly men per 100 elderly women over the period 1996–2011. This profile of sex ratios may be partly
attributed to the high levels of out-migration of adult males from this province. Gauteng, Western Cape and North
West provinces had the highest sex ratios – a profile that may be attributed to the higher level of in-migration of
men in search of employment in mainly male-selective sectors such as mining, construction and manufacturing,
which are prevalent within these provinces.
Between 1996 and 2011, there has been a difference in the growth proportions of elderly persons across
population groups. The proportion of elderly whites increased by 5,7 percentage points (from 14,4% in 1996 to
20,1% in 2011) and 4,8 percentage points among Indians/Asians (from 6,4% in 1996 to 11,2% in 2011) .Elderly
coloured and black Africans grew by 1,9 percentage points (from 5,8% in 1996 to 7,7% in 2011) and 0,4
percentage points (from 6,2% in 1996 to 6,6% in 2011) respectively.
The distribution of elderly persons by province has a number of implications on resources and funds available
within each province to meet the needs of the elderly. Provincial variations show that in 2011, the highest
proportion of elderly persons relative to adults and children was recorded in Eastern Cape (9,7%), followed by
Western Cape (8,9%) and Limpopo (8,7%). KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces recorded
proportions of elderly persons lower than the national figure of 8,0. Over the period 1996–2011, more than half of
elderly persons were married; an indication that marriage is the most common form of union among the elderly.
However, results show an upward trend of elderly persons choosing to live together like married partners
(cohabiting). The proportion has more than doubled from 1,9% in 1996 to 4,1% in 2011. The proportion of the
elderly who have never married has also increased from 9,1% in 1996 to 13,6% in 2011.