PRETORIA – Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) says internal migration, not international migration, is the biggest driver behind Gauteng's rapidly growing population. Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke has challenged the widespread belief that foreign nationals are the main reason for the province's population increase, saying official data tells a different story. According to Stats SA, Limpopo is the single biggest contributor of people moving to Gauteng, followed by the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Maluleke explained that Gauteng's population growth is largely fuelled by South Africans relocating in search of employment, education and better economic opportunities. "The biggest contributor to the population of Gauteng is not because there are more children born in Gauteng, or because of people from outside the country," Maluleke said. "The two provinces that have more children born are Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, and they move to Gauteng." Stats SA data shows that more than 114,000 young people leave Limpopo during intercensal periods to settle in Gauteng. This migration has a significant impact on Limpopo's demographics, with many young working-age residents leaving behind communities made up largely of women, children and the elderly. While Gauteng remains the main destination for international migrants entering South Africa, Maluleke said they account for less than 4% of the country's population of more than 62 million people. Stats SA says understanding internal migration patterns is essential for planning housing, healthcare, education and other public services, allowing both Gauteng and the provinces losing residents to better prepare for changing population demands. 💬 Were you surprised to learn that most of Gauteng's population growth comes from South Africans relocating from other provinces rather than international migration? #VMNews #SouthAfrica #Gauteng #Limpopo #StatsSA - @vmnewsdaily