The study addresses the growing concerns among planners on the lack of contemporary and/or accurate population estimates at district and local municipality levels.
Their research estimates KwaZulu-Natal province to have the largest proportion (20.7 %) of the South African population while the Northern Cape province has the smallest percentage of the total national population (3.3 %). Population estimates for South Africa by province and selected local municipalities are reflected in the table below.
South African estimated population for the most-populated local municipalities per province:
| Province | Local municipality | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Free State | Mangaung Local Municipality | 823 495 |
| Eastern Cape | Buffalo City Local Municipality | 818 688 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Msunduzi Local Municipality | 643 146 |
| Limpopo | Thulamela Local Municipality | 603 339 |
| Gauteng | Emfuleni Local Municipality | 596 623 |
The BMR report provides essential population estimates for South Africa for decision makers who use demographic estimates at district and local municipality levels.
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 (eg. water supply planning, planning of new schools, parks etc.) and private (eg. residential commercial development) sectors.
The full research report, no. 419, may be purchased from the BMR.
