Australia vs South Africa: Population aged 65 years or older
Australia
4,807 thousands
in 2025
South Africa
4,371 thousands
in 2025
Australia rank
29th
South Africa rank
30th
Population aged 65 years or older over time
- Australia
- South Africa
How they compare
Australia currently reports 4,807 thousands against 4,371 thousands in South Africa, a difference of 436 thousands.
That makes Australia's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.
Across all 56 years both countries report, Australia has been ahead every year.
Australia ranks 29th and South Africa ranks 30th of 226 countries.
Australia has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Australia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,183 thousands | 922.61 thousands | 260.72 thousands | Australia |
| 1980s | 1,588 thousands | 1,330 thousands | 258 thousands | Australia |
| 1990s | 2,092 thousands | 1,832 thousands | 259.72 thousands | Australia |
| 2000s | 2,574 thousands | 2,460 thousands | 114.71 thousands | Australia |
| 2010s | 3,457 thousands | 3,011 thousands | 445.82 thousands | Australia |
| 2020s | 4,472 thousands | 3,984 thousands | 488.51 thousands | Australia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population aged 65 years or older, Australia or South Africa?
- Australia, at 4,807 thousands against 4,371 thousands in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population aged 65 years or older between Australia and South Africa?
- 436 thousands, with Australia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and South Africa?
- 56 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do Australia and South Africa rank globally for population aged 65 years or older?
- Australia ranks 29th and South Africa ranks 30th of 226 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Population aged 65 years or older (thousands). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release