RIS ID
78578
Abstract
The southern African region (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) has the continent's highest percentage of older inhabitants; 6.2% of the population in 1997 was estimated to be 60 years or older. Within southern Africa, South Africa has the highest proportion of older population. The 1996 census data estimate that 2.8 million South Africans are aged 60 years and older, which constitutes 7% of the total population. This percentage is projected to increase to almost 11% of the population over the next 20 years. (Mostert W, Hofmeyr B, Oosthuizen K Demographic projections for South Africa. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council, 1997- unpublished data.) It is the absolute number of elderly people that determines the need for health and welfare services. In this regard, the number is projected to more than double, to 6.3 million. (Mostert W, Hofmeyr B, Oosthuizen K. Demographic projections for South Africa. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council, 1997- unpublished data.)
In terms of life expectancy at birth, differences are seen between the racial groups in South Africa. Life expectancy for white South Africans is currently about 8 - 10 years higher than for the black and coloured populations, and about 5 years higher than for the Asian group. (Mostert W, Hofmeyr B, Oosthuizen K. Demographic projections for South Africa. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council, 1997- unpublished data.) In all groups, older women outnumber men. The total population growth rate in South Africa is falling as a result of declining fertility rates. However, as more people reach old age, the growth rate of the 60+ age group has come to exceed that of the total population, and the gap will widen considerably in the future.
Publication Details
Charlton, K. E. 2000, 'Nutrition, health and old age: the case of urban South African elderly', South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 13, no. Suppl, pp. S31-S38.