International Marketing of South Africa: Crucial Statistics

South Africa’s Former Name

Dutch traders founded the country in 1652 on their route to the Far East. Before attaining independence, South Africa was known as the ‘Union of South Africa Republic’ (Central Intelligence Agency, 2004).

History of the Country

The Sans and the Khoikhoi, also known as the “Bushmen”, were the earliest people in South Africa. Their primary economic activity was hunting and mining (History and Heritage 2014). In  1910, the British government intruded into the land and forged a regime with a British governor and the Queen. Consequently, the country was split into four states: the Cape Colony, the Orange Free State, the Transvaal Republic, and, at long last, the Colony of Natal. The country did its first multi-racial elections in 1994, which paved the way for the majority rule under the ANC government (Central Intelligence Agency, 2004).

Continent where located

Africa

Name of the capital and the largest city

Capital-Pretoria

Largest City-Johannesburg

Size of the country

1,219,090 sq. km

The climate of the country

Semi-arid, subtropical along the east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Environmental issues in the country

Lack of important arterial rivers, water and air pollution, soil erosion and desertification.

The population size of the country

48,375,645 Million peolpe

Sex ratio of males to females in the country

0.99 male(s)/female 

Age groups and age distribution among the country’s population

0-14 – 28.3%,

15-24 – 20.2%,

25-54 – 38.2%,

55-64 – 7.1%,

65 and over – 6.2%

Population growth of the country

Annual Growth Rate in Country: -0.48%

Birth Growth Rate in Country: 18.94/1000 

Fertility Growth Rate in Country: 2.23 children born/woman

Net Migration Rate in Country: -6.27 /1000 population

The death rate in the country

Number of Deaths Per Thousand in Country – 17.49 deaths/1,000 population

Infant Mortality Rate in Country – 41.61/1000 live births

Life expectancy rate in the country (in years)

Life Expectancy at Birth in Country

Male – 60.97

Female – 67.93

Life expectancy for the total population of the country – 49.56 years

Life Expectancy for Males in Country – 50.52 years

Life Expectancy for Females in Country – 48.58 years

Ethnic groups in the country (actual number and population percentage)

Number of racial groups in the country

4

Name and size of racial groups in the Country

80.7% Black

8.8% Coloured

7.9% White

2.6% Asian

Religious groups in the country (population)

Protestants, Muslims, Catholics, and others

Names and Size of Religious Groups in Country

The major religious groups are Protestants – 36.6%, Muslims – 1.5%, Catholics – 7.1%, and others – 2.5%.

Languages spoken in the country

Zulu, isxhosa, Afrikaans, English, Sepedi, Sotwana, Sesotho, and Sitsonga.

Percentage of the population speaking each language 

Zulu – 22.7%, Xhosa – 16%, Afrikaans – 13.5%, English – 6.5%, Sepedi – 9.1%, Sotwana – 8%, Sesotho – 7.6%, Sitsonga – 4.5%,

 

References

History and Heritage 2014. A Short History of South Africa, Viewed on September 30^th 2014, <http://www.Southafrica.info/about/history/history.htm#.VCqCxlcr_Fx>

Central Intelligence Agency. (2014). South Africa. The World Factbook. Viewed on 30^th September 2014, <http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-Factbook/geos/sf.html>