Part XIII: Statistics

This section covers the 1991 census and the Annual Report on Family Planning Statistics 1991/93 of the old RSA.

The 1991 Census

This census is now thought to be inaccurate, particularly since the April 1994 elections, when far more people voted than were expected to.

The extrapolation from the 1991 figures for 1994 would indicate a total population of 40 million. This is now thought to be nearer 42 million. There is also the question of illegal migrants. Figures given for these vary from 2 million to 12 million.

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities has now set up an office in Pretoria, under Jay Parsons. One of their first activities will be to help with the 1996 census, and to decide whether the figures achieved are acceptably accurate by international standards.

The following are the 1991 census figures for the ten previous homelands:

The figures given for the new provinces are less helpful than these figures, as they obscure the areas where most help is needed with family planning.

Annual Report on Family Planning Statistics 1992/93

This is the only large-scale report we have acquired.

It refers only to the old RSA i.e. it excludes all ten homelands the TVBC states and the 6 self-governing territories.

It has been compiled by the subdirectorates: Statistical Analysis and Health Data Coordination Dept of Nat Health and Population Devp.

1. Introduction The Subdirectorate: Family Planning of the Chief Directorate: Primary Health Care receives statistics on contraceptives issued at hospitals and clinics (fixed and mobile) on a regular basis. These statistics are analysed mainly for the purpose of planning and fund-distribution.

2. Population and Fertile Women The target population of the family planning programme is the fertile female population. Women between the ages of 15 and 49 are defined as belonging to this group.

(These are the totals given in the report, but are not quite accurate.)

3.1 Total Attendances During the year 1992/1993 the total number of attendances recorded at hospitals and clinics was 8 697 227 in comparison with the 8 058 667 recorded during 1991/92.

The ratio of attendances per 1 000 fertile women was 1 555 in comparison with the 1 465 per 1 000 fertile women during 1991/92. This represents a growth of 6,1% for this period.

(N.B. SAPLER "Attendances" can mean anything from one woman attending 12 times a year to fetch pills to 12 women being sterilised.)

3.2 Acceptors Protected Number of acceptors protected per contraceptive method during 1992/93:

The number of acceptors protected increased from 2 301 152 in 1991/92 to 2 407 878 in 1992/93. (This includes a small number for spermicides and condoms.)

The high percentage of people protected by sterilisation and IUD (Intra Uterine Device), in spite of the low annual numbers of clients, is because these methods protect for more than one year.

Given the objective of protecting 80% of fertile women in the RSA, i.e. 4 474 773 (objective for 1992/93.), the above results indicate that during this year 53,8% of the objective was attained, in comparison with the 52,3% for 1991/92.

SAPLER's comment: The 1991 census showed half of all South Africans living outside the RSA. For the fertile women in these areas the percentage protected would have been much lower.

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