Gender Inequality and Quality of Life in South African Households: Study Reveals Disparities

The article was published in the Southern African Journal of Demography in March 2024. It contributes to GCRO’s Understanding Quality of Life project.

A study conducted in the Gauteng province, South Africa, found significant disparities in quality of life (QoL) associated with the sex of the household head. The study, which analysed data from 13 616 household proxy respondents interviewed in the Quality of Life VI Survey (2020/21), examined the extent to which the sex of the household head is associated with an individual’s quality of life.

Inequalities between men and women have long been a focus of South Africa's socio-economic and development policies, yet asymmetries persist across various spheres of life linked to household headship. The study, employing bivariate statistics and multilevel linear regression modelling, investigated the association between the sex of household heads and QoL indices, with control factors being population group, home language, number of adults in the household, and grant status.

Key findings indicate that living in a male-headed household was generally associated with higher QoL indices than living in a female-headed household. When households are similar in terms of the control factors, the gap in QoL indices associated with the sex of the head is notably reduced. However, the advantage associated with male headship remains.

The study underscores the importance of pursuing policies that eliminate inequalities between men and women in socioeconomic spheres. Recognising the contexts of female-headed households, which are over-represented in single-parent and skipped-generation households reliant on grants, is important in strengthening social policies that are targeted at the disadvantaged.

There were other important findings besides the QoL differences associated with the sex of the household head. For instance, the study found that White and Indian/Asian population groups have significantly higher QoL indices than Black African and Coloured population groups. Living in a household with at least one member receiving a social grant was associated with a significant penalty on the QoL index. This finding signifies that social grants can alleviate absolute poverty but are not sufficient to eliminate inequality. Reduction of reliance on social grants through interventions that improve households’ earning capacities should therefore be prioritised.

In conclusion, the findings of this study support calls for continued targeted policies that address inequalities between men and women, and the population groups in South Africa. It advocates for nuanced approaches that consider the specific needs of female-headed households across racial groups, aiming to improve overall quality of life and foster greater equity in society.

The findings emphasize the ongoing relevance of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and highlight the need for continued research into the socioeconomic conditions affecting different household structures, including child-headed households, to inform more effective policy interventions.

“…Inequalities between men and women have long been a focus of South Africa's socio-economic and development policies, yet asymmetries persist across various spheres of life linked to household headship”

Key points

• Living in a male-headed household is associated with a higher quality of life index than living in a female-headed household.
• Significant disparities in quality of life exist between population groups. White and Indian/Asian households have significantly higher quality of life indices than Black African and Coloured population groups.
• The quality of life index is significantly lower for individuals from households receiving a social grant.

Recommended citation

Ndagurwa, P., & Miles-Timotheus, S. (2024). Quality of life in the Gauteng Province of South Africa: Is the sex of the household head important? Southern African Journal of Demography, 23(1), 51-87.

For further details, please contact Dr Pedzisai Ndagurwa [pedzisai.ndagurwa@gcro.ac.za]