Population by age group in South Africa
South Africa: Population by age group was 4.11 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
4.11 million
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
31st
of 236 countries
All-time high
4.11 million
in 2023
All-time low
526,297
in 1953
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Population by age group in South Africa, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population by age group in South Africa is 4.11 million, 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 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 526,297, 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.
Population by age group in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 530,043 | — |
| 1951 | 527,910 | -0.4% |
| 1952 | 526,787 | -0.2% |
| 1953 | 526,297 | -0.1% |
| 1954 | 526,693 | +0.1% |
| 1955 | 528,381 | +0.3% |
| 1956 | 531,255 | +0.5% |
| 1957 | 535,363 | +0.8% |
| 1958 | 540,460 | +1.0% |
| 1959 | 547,491 | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 557,736 | +1.9% |
| 1961 | 571,038 | +2.4% |
| 1962 | 587,273 | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 606,266 | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 627,717 | +3.5% |
| 1965 | 651,518 | +3.8% |
| 1966 | 677,450 | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 705,374 | +4.1% |
| 1968 | 734,992 | +4.2% |
| 1969 | 765,825 | +4.2% |
| 1970 | 797,316 | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 828,392 | +3.9% |
| 1972 | 859,078 | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 890,075 | +3.6% |
| 1974 | 921,261 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 952,772 | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 984,552 | +3.3% |
| 1977 | 1.02 million | +3.3% |
| 1978 | 1.05 million | +3.3% |
| 1979 | 1.08 million | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 1.12 million | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 1.17 million | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 1.22 million | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 1.27 million | +4.5% |
| 1984 | 1.33 million | +4.7% |
| 1985 | 1.39 million | +4.3% |
| 1986 | 1.44 million | +3.7% |
| 1987 | 1.49 million | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 1.54 million | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 1.58 million | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 1.61 million | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 1.65 million | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 1.69 million | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 1.73 million | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 1.78 million | +3.1% |
| 1995 | 1.87 million | +4.8% |
| 1996 | 1.96 million | +4.8% |
| 1997 | 2.05 million | +4.7% |
| 1998 | 2.12 million | +3.6% |
| 1999 | 2.18 million | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 2.24 million | +2.5% |
| 2001 | 2.29 million | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 2.34 million | +2.4% |
| 2003 | 2.40 million | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 2.46 million | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 2.52 million | +2.5% |
| 2006 | 2.58 million | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 2.63 million | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 2.68 million | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 2.71 million | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 2.75 million | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 2.78 million | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 2.82 million | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 2.89 million | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 2.96 million | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 3.04 million | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 3.13 million | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 3.24 million | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 3.38 million | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 3.54 million | +4.6% |
| 2020 | 3.70 million | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 3.83 million | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 3.96 million | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 4.11 million | +3.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 4.11 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 499,572, 8.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 4.11 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 418,208, 9.8× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 532,068 | 526,297 | 547,491 | 10 |
| 1960s | 648,519 | 557,736 | 765,825 | 10 |
| 1970s | 938,457 | 797,316 | 1.08 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.35 million | 1.12 million | 1.58 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.86 million | 1.61 million | 2.18 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.48 million | 2.24 million | 2.71 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.05 million | 2.75 million | 3.54 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.90 million | 3.70 million | 4.11 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population by age group in South Africa?
- Population by age group in South Africa was 4.11 million in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population by age group recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.11 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest population by age group recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 526,297 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Population by age group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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