“Gender dimensions of quality of life”: The determinants of life satisfaction among South Africans residing in the Gauteng province—Using a multilevel psychodemographic analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2024)

Abstract

This study examined gender-related differences in life satisfaction among 70,314 South Africans (33,325 males and 36,989 females) using data from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (2009–2024). Life satisfaction levels (suffering, struggling, thriving) were analyzed in relation to demographic factors including age, education, employment, income, and population group. Using multilevel psychodemographic analyses, the study uniquely identifies how these factors operate differently for males and females over a 15-year period. Education, employment, and income were significant predictors of life satisfaction (all p < 0.01); for males, income had stronger indirect effects, while for females, education (β = 0.40, p < 0.01) and income (β = 0.93, p < 0.001) exerted direct effects. These findings reveal gender-specific pathways to life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of considering both individual and structural determinants. The results have policy relevance by underscoring the need for targeted, gender-sensitive interventions in education, employment, and income support to enhance well-being and promote equity among South Africans in Gauteng province.