Population by age group in South Africa
South Africa: Population by age group was 4.11 million people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population by age group in South Africa, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population by age group in South Africa is 4.11 million people, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.8% on the previous year and up 42.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population by age group in South Africa peaked at 4.11 million people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 526,297 people, in 1953.
That places South Africa 31st out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 532,068 people | 526,297 people | 547,491 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 648,519 people | 557,736 people | 765,825 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 938,457 people | 797,316 people | 1.08 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.35 million people | 1.12 million people | 1.58 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.86 million people | 1.61 million people | 2.18 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.48 million people | 2.24 million people | 2.71 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.05 million people | 2.75 million people | 3.54 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.90 million people | 3.70 million people | 4.11 million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 71,171 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.22 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.07 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population by age group in South Africa?
- Population by age group in South Africa was 4.11 million people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population by age group recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.11 million people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population by age group recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 526,297 people in 1953.
- How does South Africa rank for population by age group?
- South Africa ranks 31st out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population by age group rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population by age group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown. This only includes people aged 65+.