Limpopo Province covers 123 910km2 with an estimated population of 5.8million which translates into a population density of 44 people per square kilometer. The population of Limpopo contributes to 11.3% of South Africa’s population of 47.9 million, according to STATS SA (2007). This makes Limpopo the 4th most populated province in the country. It has a youthful population with 37% of the population being children aged fourteen years or younger, while the economically active population (15 – 64) makes up 57.6%.
Females outnumber males with the former constituting 53%. From a district perspective, Limpopo comprises of 5 districts as indicated by the Table 1 below. Sekhukune (where Maruleng municipality is situated) represents one of the most densely populated but poor rural areas of Limpopo.
Demographics of the districts in Limpopo Province
| District | Male | Female | Total | |||
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| Capricorn | 590 765 | 23.2 | 656 995 | 23 | 1 247 760 | 23.1 |
| Vhembe | 600 950 | 23.6 | 694 129 | 24.3 | 1 295 079 | 23.9 |
| Waterberg | 333 597 | 13.1 | 337 067 | 11.8 | 670 646 | 12.4 |
| Mopani | 542 383 | 21.3 | 615 578 | 21.2 | 1 147 961 | 21.2 |
| Sekhukhune | 478 723 | 18.8 | 562731 | 19.7 | 1 041 454 | 19.3 |
| Total | 2 546 400 | 100 | 2 856 500 | 100 | 5 402 900 | 100 |
33.4% of those in the province aged 20 years and older have no formal education, and 67.6% of those with no formal education are women. According to National Unemployment figures, Limpopo’s unemployment rate is highest in comparison with other provinces at 32.4% in March 2007.
