The study estimates that the black middle class - defined as black South Africans aged 16 years and over and within Living Standards Measures 5-7 - totaled 9.3 million in 2007, up from 6.3 million in 2001. Conducted by Research Professor at the BMR Prof Eric O Udjo, the study not only computes the size of the emerging black middle class by province but also investigates the residential profile, status in household, age and sex distribution, marital profile, fertility and mortality as well as migration patterns.
Prof Udjo's research estimates that KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga (in this order) accommodate the largest proportions of South Africa's emerging black middle class.
Further interesting findings of the study reveal the following:
- The growth rate of the population of the black middle class aged 16 years and over was 6.5% per annum during the period 2001 - 2007.
- Females contributed about half the population of the emerging Black middle class aged 16 years and over in 2007.
- An emerging black middle class female has 2-3 children by the end of her reproductive life.
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