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SA has lowest fertility rate on African continent
The Star
2000-09-21

South Africa's fertility rates have halved since the 1960s, to set an African precedent of 2,9 children per woman.

South Africa's fertility rates have halved since the 1960s, to set an African precedent of 2,9 children per woman. 

National Population Unit head Jacques van Zuydam attributes the decline to the National Party government imposing birth control measures. According to van Zuydam, the decline can probably primarily be attributed to the family planning programme of the previous government, which was incredibly aggressive.  

The first-ever State of South Africa's Population Report has documented major declines in fertility trends in all population groups, showing that the swiftest decline occurred in the black and coloured populations. The lowered birth rate is unprecedented in Africa.  According to the report, fertility rates among whites have reached below-replacement levels of 1,9 children per woman.  "Coloured fertility declined remarkably rapidly from 6,5 in the late 1960s to about 3 by the late 1980s, the report states.  It has since dropped, along with the Indian population, to 2,5 children per woman.  Fertility among blacks fell from a high of 6,8 in the mid-1950s to 3,1 children per woman and, while still substantially higher than other groupings, fertility continues to decline.  

Comparative rates of fertility on the continent: 

• Niger 7.5 
• Somalia 7.0 
• Uganda 6.9 
• Burkina Faso 6.8 
• Zambia 6.1 
• Malawi 5.9 
• Tanzania 5,7 
• Namibia 5.1 
• Zimbabwe 4,4 
• Botswana 4.1 
• South Africa 2.9 

(Source: The Star, 21/9/00)

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