Reuters AlertNet Lite - South Africa

PEOPLE

Language
The 11 official languages are English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshiven da, Xitsonga, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	50.1 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	48.5 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	48.2 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	47.9 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	47.5 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	47.1 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	46.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	46.0 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	45.4 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
56.8 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
Over 76 percent of the population is of African origin, and the Zulu (22 percent) and the Xhosa (18 percent) are the most numerous ethnic groups. European descendants account for 13 percent. There are also people of mixed race, Asians and Khoisan.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Christianity is predominant (68 percent), followed by traditional African beliefs (28 percent). There is a small Muslim minority.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	60.2 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	59.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	59.3 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	58.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	58.3 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	57.8 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	57.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	56.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1930 1994
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2005)

Percentage of population under 15

2005	32.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	32.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	32.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	33.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	33.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	34.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +2

Climate description
Variable from temperate to sub-tropical. Hot with showers in summer and cold winters in Johannesburg area. Hot, humid summers and moderate winters in Kwazulu/Natal area. Mediterranean climate with winter rains in Cape Town and in the Western Province. Rainfall during the summer in the rest of the country. The west coast and Karoo is a semi-desert region.

Currency
Rand

Telephone dialling code
(+) 27

Driving (left/right)
Left

STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy

2005	50.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	47.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	48.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	48.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	50.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	52.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	49.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	45.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	46.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	46.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	47.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	50.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	52.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	48.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	50.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	51.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	54.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	53.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	46 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	56 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	55 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	54 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	53 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	52 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	56 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	55 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	59 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	69 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	68 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	67 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	66 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	65 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	71 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	70 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	92 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	84 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality

2005	400 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	230 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	121	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	121	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	120	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	119	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	111	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	107	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	12 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	12 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	12 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	12 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003	12 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	12 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	12 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	No data available percent

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	<5 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	<2.5 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	<2.5 percent	FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	93 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	88 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	87 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	86 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	59 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	65 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002	67 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	87 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average

2004	No data available percent
2003	82.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	86.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	85.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	85.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	No data available percent
2003	84.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	86.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	86.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	86.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	No data available percent
2003	80.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	85.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	85.0 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	84.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	92 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	92 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	95 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	98 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	102 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	103 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	105 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	108 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	111 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	906 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	860 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	815 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	706 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	439 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	360 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	297 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	237 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	186 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	86 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	82 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	78 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	76 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	85 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	70 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	67 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	63 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	53 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	54	Transparency International 2008
2007	43 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	51 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	46 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	44 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	48 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	36 (joint)	Transparency International
2001	38 (joint)	Transparency International
2000	34	Transparency International

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

2002	7.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2005	10.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	10.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	10.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	7.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001	<2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	5720 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	5410 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	4810 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	3630 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	2870 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	2640 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	2830 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	3050 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	283.0 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	257.1 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	242.3 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	216.0 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	166.7 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	110.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	118.5 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	132.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	5.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	5.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	4.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	3.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	3.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	2.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	4.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	8.9 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	7.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	5.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	5.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	4.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	10.5 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	7.7 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	8.8 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
1.4 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
44.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

HEALTH

Physicians

2000-2004	77 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	77 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	25 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002	443 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	18.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	18.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	18.2 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	18.1 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	17.9 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga Province (including Kruger National Park), Northern Province and north easter KwaZulu Natal as far south as the Tugela River. Risk is high from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

TB cases

2007	948 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	940 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	925 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	898 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	852 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	780 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	683 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	576 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here

2008	453	UNHCR
2007	474	UNHCR
2006	510	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	268	UNHCR
2004	272	UNHCR
2003	288	UNHCR
2002	275	UNHCR
2001	123	UNHCR
2000	168	UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here

2008	43546	UNHCR
2007	36736	UNHCR
2006	35086	UNHCR
2005	29714	UNHCR
2004	27683	UNHCR
2003	26558	UNHCR
2002	23344	UNHCR
2001	18605	UNHCR
2000	15063	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

	No data available

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2004	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military

2005	1.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	1.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	1.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	5.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	5.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2000-2002	5.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001	5.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	5.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	3.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	3.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	3.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	3.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	3.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

PEOPLE

USEFUL INFORMATION

STANDARD OF LIVING

ECONOMY & AID

HEALTH

CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Countries

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