According to Statistics South Africa’s latest mid-year population estimates for 2021, the two central South African provinces joined Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape in that regard. A positive net migration rate shows there is more people entering the aforementioned provinces than those who are leaving.  

Interestingly, the North West – a province with one of the lowest population figures in the country - has the third highest net migration rate after the much bigger Gauteng and Western Cape provinces at 118 585 between 2011 and 2016 and 116 626 between 2016 and 2021. There is no explanation in the report as to why the province is seeing a higher number of migrants than its central South African counterparts. The Free State on the other end recorded negative net migration periods from 2006-2021.

Earlier on, OFM News reported that Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke attributed the country’s lower life expectancy figures as a result of the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Maluleke said the total life expectancy at birth declined from 65.5 to 62 years on average due to the rise in “excessive deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic”. The Free State has a significantly lower life expectancy than the South African average.

The lower migration figures globally have also been attributed to the pandemic. Migration to countries falling under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are estimated to have fallen by an unprecedented 46% in the first half of 2020 as travel bans were imposed in various countries. “Germany has seen zero growth in population due to declined immigration, whilst Australia has experienced a negative growth in population for the first time since 1945. Similarly, New Zealand has estimated a 78% decline in migrants entering the country since February 2020”.

South Africa has also experienced a similar decline in international migration with the number of foreign travellers arriving in SA, decreasing by 88,8% in February 2021 when compared to February 2020, whilst departures from the country decreased by 89,3% when comparing February 2020 to February 2021. The February month forms part of the country’s holiday season when travels into the rainbow nation usually peak.

OFM News