South African census figures suggest a growing number of first language Afrikaans speakers in all nine provinces, a total of 6.85 million in 2011 compared to 5.98 million a decade earlier. 2001 Namibian census reported that 11.4% of Namibians had Afrikaans as their home language.
The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) projects that a growing majority will be Coloured Afrikaans speakers. Afrikaans speakers enjoy higher employment rates than other South African language groups, despite half a million who are unemployed.
2001 census
The number of Afrikaans speakers according to the census of 2001 in South Africa by district municipal boundaries were as follows:
| South Africa | Total population | Afrikaans | % Afrikaans |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC081: Mier | 6,836 | 6,772 | 99.06% |
| NC065: Hantam | 19,812 | 19,596 | 98.91% |
| NC066: Karoo Hoogland | 10,514 | 10,372 | 98.65% |
| NC074: Kareeberg | 9,488 | 9,358 | 98.63% |
| NC064: Kamiesberg | 10,744 | 10,587 | 98.54% |
| WC052: Prince Albert | 10,517 | 10,347 | 98.38% |
| WC051: Laingsburg | 6,681 | 6,562 | 98.22% |
| WCDMA01: West Coast | 4,258 | 4,179 | 98.14% |
| WC041: Kannaland | 23,970 | 23,499 | 98.04% |
| WCDMA04: South Cape | 14597 | 14284 | 97.86% |
| NC084: Kheis | 16,038 | 15,629 | 97.45% |
| NCDMA06: Namaqualand | 814 | 789 | 96.93% |
| NCDMA07: Bo Karoo | 3,165 | 3,067 | 96.90% |
| NC062: Nama Khoi | 44,761 | 43,183 | 96.47% |
| WC042: Langeberg | 44,104 | 42,220 | 95.73% |
| WC011: Matzikama | 50,205 | 47,752 | 95.11% |
| NC076: Thembelihle | 13,998 | 13,227 | 94.49% |
| WC013: Bergrivier | 46,327 | 43,684 | 94.29% |
| NC077: Siyathemba | 17,517 | 16,462 | 93.98% |
| WC012: Cederberg | 39,328 | 36,405 | 92.57% |
| WC045: Oudtshoorn | 84,685 | 77,953 | 92.05% |
| WC033: Cape Agulhas | 26,176 | 24,043 | 91.85% |
| WCDMA05: Central Karoo | 6,181 | 5,628 | 91.05% |
| EC107: Baviaans | 15,337 | 13,927 | 90.81% |
| NC083: Khara Hais | 73,774 | 66,532 | 90.18% |
| WC034: Swellendam | 28,072 | 25,304 | 90.14% |
| ECDMA10: Aberdeen Plain | 6,550 | 5,880 | 89.77% |
| NCDMA08: Benede Oranje | 9,087 | 8,146 | 89.64% |
| WC015: Swartland | 72,113 | 63,561 | 88.14% |
| NC067: Khai-Ma | 11,349 | 9,948 | 87.66% |
| NC061: Richtersveld | 10,126 | 8,829 | 87.19% |
| NC071: Ubuntu | 16,377 | 14,035 | 85.70% |
| WC026: Breede River/Winelands | 81,263 | 69,274 | 85.25% |
| WC053: Beaufort West | 37,086 | 31,470 | 84.86% |
| WC022: Witzenberg | 83,558 | 67,709 | 81.03% |
| NC078: Siyancuma | 35,807 | 29,013 | 81.03% |
| WCDMA02: Breede River | 6,492 | 5,241 | 80.73% |
| WC025: Breede Valley | 146,026 | 117,581 | 80.52% |
| EC109: Kou-Kamma | 34,296 | 27,573 | 80.40% |
| WC014: Saldanha Bay | 70,435 | 56,401 | 80.08% |
| NC082: Kai !Garib | 57,675 | 45,655 | 79.16% |
| EC101: Camdeboo | 44,367 | 34,583 | 77.95% |
| WCDMA03: Overberg | 256 | 199 | 77.73% |
| WC023: Drakenstein | 194,421 | 149,066 | 76.67% |
| WC031: Theewaterskloof | 93,268 | 71,507 | 76.67% |
| NC075: Renosterberg | 9,072 | 6,782 | 74.76% |
| WC024: Stellenbosch | 117,704 | 87,259 | 74.13% |
| WC043: Mossel Bay | 71,494 | 52,335 | 73.20% |
| NC073: Emthanjeni | 35,539 | 26,007 | 73.18% |
| EC103: Ikwezi | 10,363 | 7,149 | 68.99% |
| WC044: George | 135,415 | 90,866 | 67.10% |
| FS161: Letsemeng | 42,988 | 28,256 | 65.73% |
| EC108: Kouga | 70,689 | 45,887 | 64.91% |
| NCDMA09: Diamondfields | 4,512 | 2,844 | 63.03% |
| WC032: Overstrand | 55,725 | 34,616 | 62.12% |
| NC085: Tsantsabane | 31,015 | 19,229 | 62.00% |
| NC086: Kgatelopele | 15,442 | 9,408 | 60.92% |
| WC048: Knysna | 51,472 | 28,448 | 55.27% |
| NC01B1: Gamagara | 16,169 | 8,704 | 53.83% |
| NC091: Sol Plaatje | 201,462 | 100,180 | 49.73% |
| WC047: Plettenberg Bay | 29,184 | 14,369 | 49.24% |
| EC131: Inxuba Yethemba | 60,294 | 27,409 | 45.46% |
| ECDMA14: Oviston | 9 | 4 | 44.44% |
| NC092: Dikgatlong | 35,773 | 15,197 | 42.48% |
| NC072: Umsombomvu | 23,645 | 9,837 | 41.60% |
| City of Cape Town | 2,893,251 | 1,198,990 | 41.44% |
| EC102: Blue Crane Route | 35,008 | 14,168 | 40.47% |
| FS162: Kopanong | 55,951 | 18,138 | 32.42% |
| NCDMACB1: Kalahari | 6,232 | 1,967 | 31.56% |
| Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Bay Metro | 1,005,776 | 298,790 | 29.71% |
| GT422: Midvaal | 64,641 | 18,970 | 29.35% |
| NW402: Potchefstroom | 128,357 | 36,580 | 28.50% |
| GT412: Randfontein | 128,834 | 36,497 | 28.33% |
| NWDMA37: Pilanesberg National Park | 300 | 83 | 27.67% |
| NC093: Magareng | 21,744 | 6,009 | 27.64% |
| GT02b1: Nokeng TSA Taemane | 52,587 | 14,411 | 27.40% |
| EC144: Gariep | 31,302 | 8,391 | 26.81% |
| NW392: Naledi | 58,100 | 13,841 | 23.82% |
| EC106: Sundays River Valley | 41,590 | 9,427 | 22.67% |
| CBLC7: Phokwane | 61,323 | 13,706 | 22.35% |
| EC128: Nxuba | 24,819 | 5,439 | 21.91% |
| Pretoria: City of Tshwane Metro | 1,985,984 | 422,866 | 21.29% |
| FS182: Tokologo | 32,464 | 6,235 | 19.21% |
| Klerksdorp | 359,206 | 66,311 | 18.46% |
| NW396: Lekwa-Teemane | 42,973 | 7,888 | 18.36% |
| FS204: Metsimaholo | 115,963 | 20,083 | 17.32% |
| NP364: Mookgopong | 30,770 | 5,248 | 17.06% |
| GT423: Lesedi | 71,542 | 12,139 | 16.97% |
| NW374: Kgetlengrivier | 36,476 | 6,179 | 16.94% |
| MP313: Middelburg | 142,778 | 24,163 | 16.92% |
| NP361: Thabazimbi | 63,918 | 10,784 | 16.87% |
| EC143: Maletswai | 37,300 | 6,171 | 16.54% |
| GT411: Mogale City | 289,720 | 47,826 | 16.51% |
| FS172: Mangaung | 645,438 | 104,164 | 16.14% |
| CBLC2: Kungwini | 107,314 | 16,346 | 15.23% |
| CBLC8: Merafong City | 210,478 | 31,050 | 14.75% |
| MP312: Emalahleni | 276,406 | 40,302 | 14.58% |
| EC104: Makana | 74,529 | 10,285 | 13.80% |
| MP307: Highveld East | 221,750 | 30,338 | 13.68% |
| FS203: Ngwathe | 118,793 | 16,069 | 13.53% |
| NP365: Modimolle | 72,799 | 9,813 | 13.48% |
| GT421: Emfuleni | 658,425 | 88,000 | 13.37% |
| CBLC1: Ga-Segonyana | 70,389 | 9,314 | 13.23% |
| FS201: Moqhaka | 167,895 | 22,181 | 13.21% |
| NW401: Ventersdorp | 43,082 | 5,626 | 13.06% |
| East Rand: Ekurhuleni Metro | 2,480,282 | 321,103 | 12.95% |
| MP321: Thaba Chweu | 81,236 | 9,960 | 12.26% |
| ECDMA13: Mountain Zebra National Park | 75 | 9 | 12.00% |
| MP305: Lekwa Local Municipality | 103,262 | 12,327 | 11.94% |
| KZ5a3: Matatiele Local Municipality | 16,219 | 1,924 | 11.86% |
| NP366: Bela-Bela | 52,127 | 6,142 | 11.78% |
| GTDMA41: West Rand | 5,768 | 667 | 11.56% |
| FS184: Matjhabeng Local Municipality | 408,170 | 47,052 | 11.53% |
| NW404: Maquassi Hills Local Municipality | 69,034 | 7,678 | 11.12% |
| EC105: Ndlambe Local Municipality | 55,476 | 6,038 | 10.88% |
| NW373: Rustenburg | 395,539 | 42,720 | 10.80% |
| MP311: Delmas | 56,203 | 6,016 | 10.70% |
| FS163: Mohokare Local Municipality | 36,319 | 3,768 | 10.37% |
| FS192: Dihlabeng Local Municipality | 128,915 | 13,339 | 10.35% |
| NW384: Ditsobotla Local Municipality | 147,602 | 1,4643 | 9.92% |
| NW395: Molopo | 11,690 | 1,128 | 9.65% |
| GT414: Westonaria | 109,316 | 10,298 | 9.42% |
| MP302: Msukaligwa Local Municipality | 124,813 | 11,721 | 9.39% |
| MP314: Emakhazeni | 43,014 | 39,82 | 9.26% |
| FS173: Mantsopa Local Municipality | 55,345 | 5,098 | 9.21% |
| NP362: Lephalale | 96,106 | 8,749 | 9.10% |
| EC133: Inkwanca Local Municipality | 20,242 | 1,760 | 8.69% |
| KZ5a4: Greater Kokstad Local Municipality | 56,534 | 4,850 | 8.58% |
| FS171: Naledi Local Municipality | 27,487 | 2,327 | 8.47% |
| NW372: Madibeng Local Municipality | 338,266 | 27,711 | 8.19% |
| City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality | 3,225,810 | 260,829 | 8.09% |
| MP306: Dipaleseng Local Municipality | 38,618 | 3,101 | 8.03% |
| FS181: Masilonyana Local Municipality | 64,407 | 5,144 | 7.99% |
| KZ253: Utrecht | 32,271 | 2,567 | 7.95% |
| MP323: Umjindi Local Municipality | 53,745 | 4,173 | 7.76% |
| EC132: Tsolwana Local Municipality | 32,519 | 2,459 | 7.56% |
| FS205: Mafube Local Municipality | 57,639 | 4,097 | 7.11% |
| NW393: Mamusa Local Municipality | 48,364 | 3,436 | 7.10% |
| FS195: Phumelela Local Municipality | 50,902 | 3,444 | 6.77% |
| NP334: Phalaborwa | 131,087 | 8,857 | 6.76% |
| CBDMA4: Kruger Park | 3,667 | 243 | 6.63% |
| KZ241: Endumeni Local Municipality | 51,102 | 3,339 | 6.53% |
| MP304: Pixley Ka Seme | 80,734 | 5,249 | 6.50% |
| EC125: Buffalo City | 701,884 | 45,535 | 6.49% |
| NW382: Tswaing | 114,143 | 7,344 | 6.43% |
| Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 178 | 11 | 6.18% |
| NP354: Polokwane | 508,271 | 30,652 | 6.03% |
| FS193: Nketoana Local Municipality | 61,939 | 3,734 | 6.03% |
| FS191: Setsoto Local Municipality | 123,184 | 6,741 | 5.47% |
| KZ282: Mhlathuze Local Municipality | 289,186 | 15,599 | 5.39% |
| FS185: Nala Local Municipality | 98,262 | 5,274 | 5.37% |
| NP341: Musina | 39,313 | 2,094 | 5.33% |
| FS183: Tswelopele | 53,714 | 2,713 | 5.05% |
| EC134: Lukanji | 184,541 | 9,279 | 5.03% |
| NW385: Zeerust | 137,439 | 6,325 | 4.60% |
| MP322: Mbombela | 474,803 | 21,390 | 4.51% |
| Giants Castle GR | 518 | 23 | 4.44% |
| KZ252: Newcastle | 332,980 | 14,427 | 4.33% |
| EC127: Nkonkobe | 128,662 | 5,301 | 4.12% |
| NP367: Mogalakwena | 298,453 | 11,643 | 3.90% |
| KZ263: Abaqulusi | 191,001 | 7,276 | 3.81% |
| Mkhomazi Wilderness Area | 818 | 31 | 3.79% |
| KZ216: Hibiscus Coast | 21,8175 | 7,743 | 3.55% |
| MP303: Mkhondo | 142,882 | 4,598 | 3.22% |
| NW383: Mafikeng | 259,478 | 7597 | 2.93% |
| KZ232: Emnambithi/Ladysmith | 225,449 | 6,356 | 2.82% |
| NP04A1: Maruleng | 94,385 | 2,581 | 2.73% |
| KZ275: Mtubatuba | 35,209 | 880 | 2.50% |
| NW391: Kagisano | 96,387 | 2,300 | 2.39% |
| NP344: Makhado | 497,083 | 10,685 | 2.15% |
| EC142: Senqu | 135,130 | 2,889 | 2.14% |
| KZ212: Umdoni | 62,293 | 1,328 | 2.13% |
| EC123: Great Kei | 44,459 | 921 | 2.07% |
| CBLC3: Greater Marble Hall | 121,317 | 2,461 | 2.03% |
| KZ262: uPhongolo | 119,773 | 2,364 | 1.97% |
| EC138: Sakhisizwe | 54,031 | 971 | 1.80% |
| KZ225: Msunduzi | 553,223 | 9,905 | 1.79% |
| NP333: Greater Tzaneen | 375,581 | 6,720 | 1.79% |
| KZ234: Umtshezi | 59,925 | 956 | 1.60% |
| NP353: Molemole | 109,437 | 1,724 | 1.58% |
| MP301: Albert Luthuli | 187,929 | 2,902 | 1.54% |
| KZ222: uMngeni | 73,898 | 1,125 | 1.52% |
| EC124: Amahlathi | 139,037 | 2,035 | 1.46% |
| FS194: Maluti a Phofung | 360,775 | 5,209 | 1.44% |
| Durban: Ethekwini | 3,090,117 | 44,438 | 1.44% |
| NW394: Greater Taung | 182,167 | 2,308 | 1.27% |
| MP324: Nkomazi | 334,418 | 4,204 | 1.26% |
| KZ245: Umvoti | 92,296 | 1,098 | 1.19% |
| KZ292: KwaDukuza | 158,586 | 1,812 | 1.14% |
| KZ273: The Big 5False Bay | 31,104 | 353 | 1.13% |
| EC141: Elundini | 137,574 | 1,449 | 1.05% |
| KZ261: eDumbe | 82,233 | 865 | 1.05% |
| CBLC4: Greater Groblersdal | 220,733 | 2250 | 1.02% |
| KZ291: eNdondakusuka | 128,672 | 1,293 | 1.00% |
| NP332: Greater Letaba | 220,121 | 2,091 | 0.95% |
| EC136: Emalahleni | 155,938 | 1,078 | 0.93% |
| KZ235: Okhahlamba | 137,524 | 1,254 | 0.91% |
| KZ223: Mooi Mpofana | 16,826 | 327 | 0.89% |
| CBLC5: Greater Tubatse | 270,125 | 2,396 | 0.89% |
| KZ285: Mthonjaneni | 50,387 | 429 | 0.85% |
| KZ254: Dannhuser | 102,774 | 854 | 0.83% |
| MPDMA32: Lowveld | 503 | 4 | 0.80% |
| NW381: Setla-Kgobi | 104,326 | 791 | 0.76% |
| NP03A3: Fetakgomo | 92,083 | 669 | 0.73% |
| NW375: Moses Kotane | 236,842 | 1,476 | 0.62% |
| KZ226: Mkhambathini | 59,063 | 360 | 0.61% |
| KZ281: Mbonambi | 106,930 | 644 | 0.60% |
| KZDMA27: St Lucia Park | 5,083 | 29 | 0.57% |
| NP342: Mutal | 78,921 | 422 | 0.53% |
| NW1a1: Moshaweng | 84,113 | 416 | 0.49% |
| KZ284: uMlalazi | 221,070 | 1,031 | 0.47% |
| KZ227: Richmond | 63,222 | 276 | 0.44% |
| NP351: Blouberg | 161,316 | 662 | 0.41% |
| KZ221: uMshwathi | 108,024 | 370 | 0.34% |
| KZ214: uMuziwabantu | 92,331 | 262 | 0.28% |
| EC126: Ngqushwa | 84,229 | 237 | 0.28% |
| KZ272: Jozini | 184,092 | 484 | 0.26% |
| EC157: King Sabata Dalindyebo | 415,237 | 1,063 | 0.26% |
| KZ266: Ulundi | 212,965 | 521 | 0.24% |
| KZ283: Ntambanana | 84,767 | 189 | 0.22% |
| KZ5a2: Kwa Sani | 15,296 | 34 | 0.22% |
| KZ5a5: Ubuhlebezwe | 101,943 | 222 | 0.22% |
| KZ271: Umhlabuyalingana | 140,964 | 301 | 0.21% |
| KZ211: Vulamehlo | 83,041 | 175 | 0.21% |
| MP315: Thembisile | 258,862 | 537 | 0.21% |
| NW371: Moretele | 177,907 | 361 | 0.20% |
| EC154: Port St Johns | 146,132 | 292 | 0.20% |
| NP331: Greater Giyani | 237,425 | 463 | 0.20% |
| NP355: Lepele-Nkumpi | 227,961 | 440 | 0.19% |
| EC156: Mhlontlo | 196,677 | 376 | 0.19% |
| KZ294: Maphumulo | 120,643 | 220 | 0.18% |
| EC05b1: Umzimkhulu | 174,338 | 313 | 0.18% |
| KZ265: Nongoma | 198,441 | 356 | 0.18% |
| KZ213: Umzumbe | 193,762 | 345 | 0.18% |
| KZ293: Ndwedwe | 152,479 | 253 | 0.17% |
| EC05b2: Umzimvubu | 376,053 | 609 | 0.16% |
| KZ242: Nqutu | 145,030 | 234 | 0.16% |
| KZ215: Ezingoleni | 54,433 | 84 | 0.15% |
| EC122: Mnquma | 287,765 | 440 | 0.15% |
| EC155: Nyandeni | 281,244 | 427 | 0.15% |
| EC137: Engcobo | 148,396 | 220 | 0.15% |
| EC121: Mbhashe | 253,381 | 373 | 0.15% |
| KZ274: Hlabisa | 176,879 | 257 | 0.15% |
| KZ286: Nkandla | 133,598 | 194 | 0.15% |
| CBLC6: Bushbuckridge | 499,701 | 695 | 0.14% |
| KZ224: Impendle | 33,569 | 46 | 0.14% |
| EC135: Intsika Yethu | 194,219 | 257 | 0.13% |
| MP316: Dr JS Moroka | 243,304 | 294 | 0.12% |
| KZ5a1: Ingwe | 107,560 | 127 | 0.12% |
| EC152: Ntabankulu | 136,399 | 157 | 0.1% |
| EC151: Mbizana | 245,415 | 274 | 0.11% |
| KZ236: Imbabazane | 119,920 | 126 | 0.11% |
| KZ233: Indaka | 113,655 | 119 | 0.10% |
| KZ244: Msinga | 168,031 | 172 | 0.10% |
| NP352: Aganang | 147,676 | 148 | 0.10% |
| EC153: Qaukeni | 255,370 | 225 | 0.09% |
| NP343: Thulamela | 584,560 | 496 | 0.08% |
| NP03A2: Makhuduthamaga | 262,885 | 180 | 0.05% |
| Highmoor/Kamberg Park | 9 | 0 | 0.00% |
References
- ^ Antoinette Pienaar & Hanti Otto (30 October 2012). "Afrikaans groei, sê sensus (Afrikaans growing according to the census)". Beeld. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- Prince, Llewellyn (23 March 2013). "Afrikaans se môre is bruin (Afrikaans' tomorrow is colored)". Rapport. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
- Statistics South Africa: 2001 Census Archived 14 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine