DSD highlights growing elderly demographic on World Population Day

In observing World Population Day, the Western Cape Department of Social Development calls on all residents to help support and care for the growing elderly population in the province.

According to the Census 2022, there are 6 099 725 older persons representing 9.8% of the total South African population (62 027 503). The Western Cape is home to the second highest percentage of older persons in relation to the provincial population. There are 818 398 residents aged 60 years and older, accounting for 11% of the provincial population (7 433 020).

The elderly population is projected to grow to 1.088 million by 2031 and to 2.044 million, by 2050.

The department partially subsidises 114 old age homes across the province, along with 163 community-based service centres. These registered facilities and programmes provide safe, stimulating environments for older persons where they can access the available services and be among their peers.

With this in mind, we encourage residents and businesses to support their local old age homes and community-based services to help improve the lives of older persons.

“I recently visited the Helderberg Society for the Aged and Sencit Resthaven Old Age Home, two DSD-supported facilities. Staff told me of the increasing number of older persons who need accommodation. These facilities not only offer much-needed care for its elderly residents, but community-based services such as recreational activities which add value to the lives of senior citizens. The residents also spoke with great enthusiasm about the volunteers who spend time with them, whether it’s playing games or doing arts and crafts. There are many ways people and businesses can support these valuable institutions,” said Provincial Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt.

Older persons are a valuable part of society, heading 19% of Western Cape households. This demographic is split into 51.5% males and 48.5% females.   

Older persons are often vulnerable to physical, emotional and financial abuse, and neglect. It is important that as a society, we continue to care for and look out for signs of abuse among the elderly in our homes, families, and communities.

Western Cape population data:

Children Aged 0 – 17 years: The Western Cape has a total of about 2 million children between the ages of 0 and 17 years old, making up 27% of the total provincial population.

Youth Aged 15 – 34: There are an estimated 2.56 million youth between the ages of 15 and 34 years, making up 34.5% of the total provincial population.

Persons with Disabilities: The Western Cape has a total of 193 138 Persons with Disabilities, making up 2.6 percent of the total population. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old account for 1.2 percent of Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons, aged 60 and above account for 9.3 percent. The various types of disability include seeing, hearing, communication, mobility, memory, and self-care.