QOL | Introduction

Insights into Quality of Life Survey 7 (2023/24)

The GCRO's QoL Survey is one of the largest social surveys in South Africa. The survey uses random sampling in homes across Gauteng and gathers diverse data that can be analysed at various levels, enabling comparisons over time to track changes in quality of life across the province. The most recent iteration, QoL 7 (2023/24), boasts:

13 795

Respondents

>600

Interviews Per Municipality

529

Wards

Quality of life shapes our everyday experiences.

Stream Event Overview Databriefs Quality of Life Viewer Village of 100 Download Data Sets Project Team Media Pack

Quality of life is more important than life itself

Richard Ballard

Chief Researcher

Fiona Els

Epidemiologist

Graeme Götz

Director of Research Strategy

Christian Hamann

Researcher

Ebrahim-Khalil Hassen

Senior Researcher

Dr. Samkelisiwe Khanyile

Researcher

Phemelo Mahamuza

GIS Analyst

Gillian Maree

Senior Researcher

Shamsunisaa Miles-T

Junior Researcher

Sthembiso Pollen Mkhize

Junior Researcher

Thembani Mkhize

Researcher

Dr. Mamokete Modiba

Senior Researcher

Dr. Ngaka Mosiane

Senior Researcher

Brian Murahwa

Post-doctoral Researcher

Dr. Darlington Mushongera

Senior Researcher

Dr. Laven Naidoo

Senior Researcher

Yashena Naidoo

Junior Researcher

Dr Pedzisai Ndagurwa

Senior Researcher

Rashid Seedat

Executive Director

Dr. Wendy Tsoriyo

Post-doctoral Researcher

QoL 7 | Overview

Trends in Quality of Life Index (2023/24)

The "Overview of QoL 7 (2023/24)" presents an insightful analysis of how the Quality of Life Index has evolved since the 2020/21 period. With a consistent score of 61 recorded in previous years, this year's data raises questions about potential shifts in various dimensions, including health, safety, basic services, and government satisfaction. The visual representation indicates key factors that contribute to the overall quality of life, highlighting areas for further exploration and improvement.

Read the full report

Headline Findings

Key Insights Revealed: Explore the Most Significant Findings

The GCRO's biennial Quality of Life Survey, first conducted in 2009, measures the quality of life and wellbeing of residents in every ward of the Gauteng province. In face-to-face interviews, randomly selected respondents are asked questions about their living and socio-economic circumstances, their opinions about service delivery and government, and their experiences, perceptions, and opinions on a broad range of personal, social, and political issues.

Disaster Impact

Over half of respondents reported that environmental events and disasters had caused harm or damage to their households in the past year.

55%

Respondents affected by environmental events and disasters

Food Insecurity Crisis

More than one in ten of households in Gauteng can be considered to be severely food insecure. This is where households have reported hunger, insufficient spending on nutricious food and poor access to food.

12%

of households are facing severe food insequrity

Cross-Provincial Movers

Thirty-six percent of respondents were born in another South African province and migrated to Gauteng. The single largest proportion of migrants was born in Limpopo province (11%).

36%

Respondents born outside of Gauteng

Life Dissatisfaction

When asked the question, "How satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?" one in four respondents expressed dissatisfaction, a higher proportion than in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic surveys.

25%

Respondents dissatisfied with life

Poverty Increase

Between the years 2009 and 2023/24, there has been a noticeable increase in the proportion of households living in poverty in Gauteng.

Increase in food poverty

Electricity Independence

The percentage of Gauteng residents generating at least some of their own electricity increased significantly, rising from 4% in 2017/18 to 15% by 2023/24, indicating a growing trend toward energy self-sufficiency.

15%

Respondents generating their own electricity

Community Engagement

There has been an increase in participatory/local governance engagement (57%), rising by six percentage points in QoL 7 (2023/24) from the previous survey in 2020/21.

57%

Respondents attended a participatory/local governance engagement

Social Grant Reliability

Half of the adults surveyed reported at least one member of their household received a social grant, highlighting the reliance on government assistance programs to support families in their daily lives and address financial challenges.

50%

Respondents reported one member of their household received a social grant.

E-Hailing Dependence

A third of respondents have utilised e-hailing services.

33%

Respondents used e-hailing services

Concerned Citizens

Three quarters of respondents believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.

74%

Respondents held the negative view that the country is heading in the wrong direction

Depression Concerns Rising

The proportion of respondents who are classified as being at high risk of depression has been increasing over recent years, and by the 2023/24 period, this figure reached 15%.

15%

of respondents at high risk of depression

Vaccination Milestone

More than three out of every 5 respondents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

62%

Respondents received a vaccine dose

Victims of Crime

One out of every five adults in Gauteng reported that they had been victims of crime in the year leading up to the survey, highlighting significant concerns about safety and security within the community.

20%

Respondents have been victims of crime

Data Tools

Exploring The Data

Dive deep with our advanced tools and discover a world of insight and possibilities.

Village of 100 people

This interactive animation presents Gauteng, South Africa, where each person represents 1% of the respondents of GCRO’s 2023/24 Quality of Life Survey. The villagers represent the gender and racial diversity of Gauteng in a non-representative manner.

Learn more

Quality of Life Viewer

This viewer displays data from the GCRO Quality of Life 5 survey (2017/18) and Quality of Life 6 survey (2020/21). Data from the GCRO Quality of Life 7 survey (2023/24) is now available for viewing.

Learn more

Data Set

The page gives open access to the Quality of Life (QOL) survey data set. Questionnaires, data, and documentation for all previous versions of the Quality of Life surveys are available for download through DataFirst.

Learn more

Data Briefs Quality Of Life Survey 7

Comprehensive reports highlighted from the Quality of Life Survey 7. Each report delves into critical topics, reflecting the diverse experiences of residents in Gauteng.

Experiences Of Violence, Crime & Safety image

Poverty & Inequality

The proportion of Gauteng households in poverty has increased between 2009 and 2023/24.

Read report

Healthcare Access, Satisfaction & Depression Risk image

Basic Services

The percentage of Gauteng residents generating at least some of their own electricity increased from 4% in 2017/18 to 15% in 2023/24.

Read report

Government Performance & Satisfaction with Government

Three quarters of adults in Gauteng believe the country is going in the wrong direction.

Read report

Healthcare Access, Satisfaction & Depression Risk

The proportion of adults in Gauteng who are at high risk of depression has been increasing and, by 2023/24, was 15%.

Read report

COVID & Vaccine Hesitancy

More than three out of every five adults in Gauteng received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Read report

Experiences of Violence, Crime & Safety

One out of every five adults in Gauteng said that they had been victims of crime in the year prior to the survey.

Read report

Community & Social Attitudes

As an indication of participation in participatory governance, 57% of adults in Gauteng indicated that they had participated in a government or community meeting over the year before the survey.

Read report

Inclusive Economies

Half of the adults surveyed indicated that at least one person in their household received a social grant.

Read report

Commuting & Transport

A third of adults in Gauteng have made use of ehailing services.

Read report

Environment, Extreme Events & Disasters

Over half of adults in Gauteng reported that their household had been severely affected by an extreme environmental event or disaster in the past 12 months.

Read report

Hunger & Food Security

One in every 10 households in Gauteng is severely food insecure, meaning hunger, insufficient spending on nutritious food and poor access to food.

Read report

Migration & Moving Home

36% of adults in Gauteng were born in another province of South Africa and migrated to Gauteng at some point in their lives.

Read report

Quality of Life & Wellbeing

When asked ‘how satisfied with your life as a whole these days?’ one in four respondents indicated that they were dissatisfied.

Read report

Media Pack

For all media queries please contact Lebogang Lechuba.

Media

FAQ Sheet

Media

Media Release

Media

Photos of Researchers

Media

QoL 2023 Charts

Media

QoL 2023 Report

Media

QoL 2023 Survey Stock Images

Media

Researcher Bios

Media

Researchers by Survey Topic

Insights into Quality of Life Survey 7 (2023/24)

13 795

>600

529

Quality of life shapes our everyday experiences.

Richard Ballard

Fiona Els

Graeme Götz

Christian Hamann

Ebrahim-Khalil Hassen

Dr. Samkelisiwe Khanyile

Phemelo Mahamuza

Gillian Maree

Shamsunisaa Miles-T

Sthembiso Pollen Mkhize

Thembani Mkhize

Dr. Mamokete Modiba

Dr. Ngaka Mosiane

Brian Murahwa

Dr. Darlington Mushongera

Dr. Laven Naidoo

Yashena Naidoo

Dr Pedzisai Ndagurwa

Rashid Seedat

Dr. Wendy Tsoriyo

Trends in Quality of Life Index (2023/24)

Key Insights Revealed: Explore the Most Significant Findings

Exploring The Data

Data Briefs Quality Of Life Survey 7

Media Pack

About Us

Research

Outputs

Urban Data Gallery

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