Demographics

The present total population of the SDM is at 1,076, 840 (Statssa, 2011 Statistics) according to the current year projections, with 217,000 households living in the municipal areas. Half the population is below 18 years and the male, female ratio at this age is equal whilst the female population is 60% over the age of 18 or the working age.

The population growth rate for the district is expected to drop to approximately 1% per year until 2008 and to increase slowly after that. This estimate is derived from the Bureau for Market Research at UNISA. This anticipated drop in population growth rates until 2008 is due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

In applying the Bureau for Market Research growth rates, the population for the 2005 to 2009 is calculated as follows:

MUNICIPALITY 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Fetakgomo 97 141 98 278 99 349 100 342 101 346
Groblersdal 233 215 236 014 238 657 241 115 243 599
Makhuduthamaga 276 404 279 417 282 266 284 920 287 598
Marble Hall 127 668 129 072 130 363 131 667 133 115
Tubatse 290 319 293 803 297 035 300 005 303 005
TOTAL 1 024 748 1 036 583 1 047 670 1 058 049 1 068 662

The Sekhukhune District is mainly rural, with 94.7% of the total population residing in the rural areas and 5.3% in the urban areas.

MUNICIPALITY URBAN RURAL
Fetakgomo 0% 100%
Groblersdal 7.8% 92.2%
Marble Hall 11.8% 88.2%
Tubatse 0.9% 99.1%
Makhuduthamaga 5.9% 94.1%
Makhuduthamaga 5.9% 94.1%
SEKHUKHUNE 5.3% 94.7%

Given the nature of the rural economy, where economically active people migrate to cities, the majority of the population (56%) of Sekhukhune is youthful aged below 19 years of age. 38% is part of the economically active group i.e. between 20 and 59 years while 6% are older than 60 years. Women constitute the majority of the population at 55.2%.

Further information on the Social Assessments which include Health, Education, Housing and Safety and Security statistics can be read in the Integrated Development Plan of Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality.