Ethnic groups in South Africa

Ethnic groups in South Africa are made up of several different communities. The biggest group is Black, making up more than 80% of the population, followed by Coloured, White, and Indian or Asian people. These groups have roots in many different places and histories.

These racial groups were defined during a time called apartheid, when the government treated people unfairly based on their race. Even today, the government uses these groups to help make sure everyone has equal opportunities and to correct past unfair treatments.

The first big survey of these groups happened in 1996, after South Africa became a democracy. People were asked to choose how they identified from the groups set by the government. However, some recent surveys have been questioned for not being completely accurate.

Black African South Africans

Main article: Bantu peoples of South Africa

Most people in South Africa are Bantu Africans. They come from many different groups, such as the Zulu, Xhosa, BaPedi, BaTswana, BaSotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, and South Ndebele. These groups speak many languages, including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda, and isiNdebele.

These groups live not only in South Africa but also in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, and Mozambique.

In 2011, Black Africans made up 79% of South Africa's population, and by 2016, this grew to 81%. The median age for Black Africans is 21 years. Education levels vary, with many having completed high school or more. Many households have access to radios and televisions, but some lack running water or proper toilets. The unemployment rate for working-age Black Africans is 28.1%, and the median annual income differs between males and females.

Coloured South Africans

Main articles: Cape Coloureds and Coloureds

The 'Coloured' population includes people of mixed heritage, mainly living in the Cape region. They can have many different ethnic backgrounds in their family history.

During a difficult time called apartheid, the government made rules about how people should identify based on their mixed heritage. Today, people can choose their own identity. Many in this group speak Afrikaans, and while they share a common history, they do not all have the same language or traditions.

The Cape 'Coloureds' have roots in connections between European settlers and people from Africa, Asia, and other places. For example, the Cape Malay group includes people with mixed heritage who follow Islam. There are also many Chinese South Africans who were once classified in the same way. Some of these people now receive support from the government.

Other Asian groups, like Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, and Japanese South Africans, were treated differently during apartheid.

In recent times, the Coloured community has also included people from other countries, such as Zimbabwe and Namibia, as well as people of mixed descent from places like India.

White South Africans

Main article: White South Africans

White South Africans are mainly descendants of people from Europe, such as the Dutch, German, French, British, and Portuguese. They are divided into two main groups based on language: those who speak Afrikaans and those who speak English. Afrikaans is one of the top three most spoken languages in South Africa, used by about 10.6% of the population according to the 2022 census.

Over time, the number of White South Africans has changed. In 1911, they made up 22% of the population, but by 2022, this dropped to just 7%. Many chose to leave the country, often because of concerns about safety, government policies, and unfair treatment based on race. Some also came to South Africa from other places, like Angola, Mozambique, and Rhodesia, especially after those countries gained independence. Others arrived from countries such as Poland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.

Indian South Africans

Main article: Indian South Africans

Many people in South Africa have ancestors from British India who arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. About 1.2 million people, or 2.5% of the country's population, are descendants of these migrants. Most came to work on sugar farms along the eastern coast of Natal. Some came on their own to find work and start businesses. These groups spoke different languages and followed various religions.

Other cultural groups

Main article: Khoisan

The Khoikhoi and San people in South Africa are a small group of people who lived there long before others arrived. The Khoikhoi took care of animals and many joined the ways of the people who came later. The San people hunted and gathered food to live. These groups were not seen the same as other Africans by those who came from far away, even though they were the first to live in South Africa. In a count of people in 2011, most San people from places like Namibia and Angola chose to be called "Other," while some Khoikhoi from Namaqualand called themselves Coloured.

There are also a few people known as the Lemba people living in the north eastern parts of South Africa. They come from both Bantu and Semitic backgrounds.

Some Kalderash Roma people have also made South Africa their home.

In the last twenty years, many people have moved to South Africa from other countries. The largest groups coming from Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nigeria. There are also people from Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines living there.

Population growth

From 2009 to 2016, the number of people living in South Africa grew by 11.6%. It started at about 49.9 million and reached about 55.7 million.