Total population by age (70 years old) in South Africa
South Africa: Total population by age was 270.94 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
270.94
Change on year
up 3.6%
World rank
30th
of 234 countries
All-time high
270.94
in 2023
All-time low
33.26
in 1950
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Total population by age in South Africa, 1950–2023
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2023, total population by age in South Africa stood at 270.94. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
The figure is up 3.6% on the previous year and up 59.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population by age in South Africa peaked at 270.94 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 33.26, in 1950.
South Africa ranks 30th of 234 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total population by age in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 33.26 | — |
| 1951 | 33.49 | +0.7% |
| 1952 | 33.73 | +0.7% |
| 1953 | 33.88 | +0.5% |
| 1954 | 33.98 | +0.3% |
| 1955 | 34.09 | +0.3% |
| 1956 | 34.2 | +0.3% |
| 1957 | 34.36 | +0.5% |
| 1958 | 34.54 | +0.5% |
| 1959 | 34.89 | +1.0% |
| 1960 | 35.55 | +1.9% |
| 1961 | 36.43 | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 37.55 | +3.1% |
| 1963 | 38.98 | +3.8% |
| 1964 | 40.69 | +4.4% |
| 1965 | 42.65 | +4.8% |
| 1966 | 44.87 | +5.2% |
| 1967 | 47.33 | +5.5% |
| 1968 | 49.91 | +5.5% |
| 1969 | 52.52 | +5.2% |
| 1970 | 55.08 | +4.9% |
| 1971 | 57.48 | +4.3% |
| 1972 | 59.71 | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 61.89 | +3.6% |
| 1974 | 63.93 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 65.84 | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 67.64 | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 69.4 | +2.6% |
| 1978 | 71.16 | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 72.92 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 75.32 | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 78.37 | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 81.76 | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 85.62 | +4.7% |
| 1984 | 90.36 | +5.5% |
| 1985 | 94.84 | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 97.57 | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 100.17 | +2.7% |
| 1988 | 103.82 | +3.6% |
| 1989 | 107.72 | +3.8% |
| 1990 | 110.68 | +2.7% |
| 1991 | 110.89 | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 110.87 | -0.0% |
| 1993 | 110.35 | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 109.29 | -1.0% |
| 1995 | 111.69 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 118.15 | +5.8% |
| 1997 | 127.78 | +8.2% |
| 1998 | 137.76 | +7.8% |
| 1999 | 146.28 | +6.2% |
| 2000 | 153.9 | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 159.7 | +3.8% |
| 2002 | 163.63 | +2.5% |
| 2003 | 163.79 | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 157.75 | -3.7% |
| 2005 | 151.69 | -3.8% |
| 2006 | 150.83 | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 154.9 | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 160.35 | +3.5% |
| 2009 | 163.97 | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 166.59 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 167.87 | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 169.22 | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 169.81 | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 166.39 | -2.0% |
| 2015 | 164.7 | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 168.83 | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 181.44 | +7.5% |
| 2018 | 199.52 | +10.0% |
| 2019 | 215.91 | +8.2% |
| 2020 | 231.51 | +7.2% |
| 2021 | 248.32 | +7.3% |
| 2022 | 261.47 | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 270.94 | +3.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 270.94 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 32.33, 8.4× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 270.94 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.37, 9.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 34.04 | 33.26 | 34.89 | 10 |
| 1960s | 42.65 | 35.55 | 52.52 | 10 |
| 1970s | 64.5 | 55.08 | 72.92 | 10 |
| 1980s | 91.56 | 75.32 | 107.72 | 10 |
| 1990s | 119.38 | 109.29 | 146.28 | 10 |
| 2000s | 158.05 | 150.83 | 163.97 | 10 |
| 2010s | 177.03 | 164.7 | 215.91 | 10 |
| 2020s | 253.06 | 231.51 | 270.94 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population by age in South Africa?
- Total population by age in South Africa was 270.94 in 2023, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest total population by age recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 270.94 in 2023.
- What is the lowest total population by age recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.26 in 1950.
- How does South Africa rank for total population by age?
- South Africa ranks 30th out of 234 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total population by age rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Total population by age (70 years old). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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