EIA-REP-325d-12 _BB_ - 201.09.14.pdf - SAHRA

8.1.8 Demographics
Given the location of the study area in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, the section commences with a brief
overview of the socio-economic values and indicators of this Province. This provides a means of assessing and
comparing the Greater Ermelo area within the context of Mpumalanga Province.
Mpumalanga with its capital Bombela (Nelspruit), occupies 6,4% of the surface area of South Africa.
Approximately 3,3 million people or 8,2% of the population of South Africa is resident in this province.
Manufacturing, mining, electricity generation, tourism, agriculture and forestry support its fairly diverse economy.
The GGP of approximately R28 billion (1993) or 8.1% of South Africa’s GGP.
During the period 1980 – 1991, the province experienced an economic growth rate of 4,4% per annum despite
depressed economic conditions in South Africa. This figure is well in excess of the 1,3% for South Africa as a
whole for the same period. However, the socio-economic conditions and quality of life in some of the more
densely populated areas of the province remains a cause of concern.
Mpumalanga recorded an economic growth rate of 2,1% during 2003, as compared to a growth rate of 2,6% in
2002. In 2003, the largest industries in the economy were the manufacturing industry (18,9%) and in mining and
quarrying industry (18,0%) in terms of their contribution to the GDP at market prices of Mpumalanga.
Table 14: Age and greater composition of the Ermelo Magisterial District (1980 – 1991)
EIA-REP-325d-11
October 2012
STATISTICS 1980 1991 2005
Total population 126 535 140 015 124 819
0 – 14 years 44 760 42 865 43 558
15 – 64 years 77 770 92 591 76 162
65+ 4 005 4 559 5 099
Males 71 990 76 711 60 19
0 – 14 years 22 200 21 790 21 687
15 – 64 years 47 816 52 928 36 447
65+ 1 974 1 993 1 984
Females 54 546 63 304 64 700
0 – 14 years 55 560 21 075 21 871
15 – 64 years 29 954 39 663 39 715
65+ 2 032 2 566 3 114
From Table 14: Age and greater composition of the Ermelo Magisterial District (1980 – 1991) it is evident that the
population in the Greater Ermelo area is on the decline. This can be attributed to the current diseases that are
currently ravaging mankind. However, employment opportunities should be created and change in lifestyle of the
population at large should be encouraged in order to obviate the current situation.
The population density for Mpumalanga Province is 37,5 persons per km 2 . This is high when compared to the
population density of South Africa (31 persons per km 2 ). Statistics for urban and non-urban population
determined in 1991, indicate a 5% increase in urban population and a 20% decrease in non-urban population,
over a 10 year period.
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