Total population by age 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.
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)
- 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)
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.8825 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility, annual growth rate -0.4964 % change on previous year (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, gaps filled 71,171 (2024)
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
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).