"We're Not": Global Report Finds Only 36% of SA Children Live With Biological Fathers, SA Reacts

• A global report ranked South Africa among countries with the highest rates of father absence in the world
• The State of South Africa's Fathers 2018 report found that 64% of children do not share a home with their biological fathers
• The figures reignited conversations online about fatherhood, family structures and children's well-being in South Africa

South Africa has one of the highest rates of father absence in the world, according to data shared by African Folder on Facebook on 25 August 2026.

The post cited findings from the State of South Africa's Fathers 2018 report, which revealed that just 36% of South African children live in the same household as their biological fathers. That means nearly two out of every three children grow up without their father in the home.

What the report actually says

The report makes an important distinction: father non-residency does not automatically mean a father is entirely absent from a child's life. Some fathers who live elsewhere continue to provide financial support and maintain relationships with their children in other ways.

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Chidimma Adetshina's alleged father reveals family first visited SA during 2010 World Cup

Still, the numbers are stark. A global analysis by the Institute for Family Studies found that children in South Africa are far less likely to live with two biological parents compared to children in many other parts of the world. The data places South Africa among the countries with the lowest rates of two-parent households globally.

The figures have brought renewed attention to the complex factors behind father absence in South Africa, including unemployment, migration for work, and generational family patterns.

View the Facebook post below:

Mzansi and beyond react

The post on the page drew strong reactions from people across Africa, with many adding their own context and humour:

Philip Kuje said:

"Imagine South Africa who is reading this now don't have father eahh good 🤔"

Mduduzi Shandu wrote:

"While with Nigeria those mumu fathers bragging while paternity tests show that their biological fathers are actually their neighbours"

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Steven Anyanaso commented:

"They are absent because they are fighting for their jobs."

Thokozane Msipha added:

"We're not absent, is just that we can't afford mavuso [lobola] anymore 😒"

Ry An Beckham joked:

"Google Maps in South Africa genuinely needs a 'Find My Dad' feature at this point 👀"

Joseph Steven Dimkpa observed:

"You hardly see single ladies in South Africa who aren't single mothers."

More Briefly News stories on fathers

• Chidimma Adetshina’s father revealed that the family first visited South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sharing more about their ties to the country.
• South African comedian Dillan Oliphant had Mzansi laughing with a relatable skit about absent fathers, using humour to highlight a serious issue.
• Sihle Dambuza called out absent fathers in a powerful social media post, with Mzansi applauding her for speaking openly about the impact of fathers who fail to take responsibility.

Source: Briefly News