Historical population data in South Africa
South Africa: Historical population data was 63.10 million Persons in 2025. β² Rising
Historical population data in South Africa, 1950β2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
In 2025, historical population data in South Africa stood at 63.10 million Persons. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.2% on the previous year and up 13.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, historical population data in South Africa peaked at 63.10 million Persons in 2025 and was at its lowest, 13.04 million Persons, in 1950.
That places South Africa 13th out of 43 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 76 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 14.43 million Persons | 13.04 million Persons | 16.02 million Persons | 10 |
| 1960s | 18.89 million Persons | 16.44 million Persons | 21.61 million Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 25.38 million Persons | 22.28 million Persons | 28.63 million Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 34.50 million Persons | 29.52 million Persons | 39.63 million Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 44.05 million Persons | 40.75 million Persons | 46.73 million Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 48.26 million Persons | 46.57 million Persons | 50.78 million Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 55.20 million Persons | 51.51 million Persons | 58.89 million Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.30 million Persons | 59.69 million Persons | 63.10 million Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.8825 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility 2.21 (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum 71,171 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is historical population data in South Africa?
- Historical population data in South Africa was 63.10 million Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest historical population data recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 63.10 million Persons in 2025.
- What is the lowest historical population data recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.04 million Persons in 1950.
- How does South Africa rank for historical population data?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 43 countries with data for 2025.
- Is historical population data rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Historical population data. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This dataset presents annual population data from 1961 by sex and five year age groups as well as the share of children, youth, the elderly, old-age and total dependency ratios. The data is available for all member countries as well as for the EU27 and G20 countries, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and the World total. The data refer to mid-year estimates of the population. See country details in Historical population metadata.