Demographics of South Africa

Last updated

Demographics of South Africa
South Africa single age population pyramid 2020.png
South Africa population pyramid in 2020
Population63 million (2024 est.) [1]
Density48.1/km2 (125/sq mi)
Growth rate1.33% [1] :12
Birth rate19.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.) [1] :7
Death rate8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.) [1] :7
Life expectancy66.5 years (2024 est.) [1] :8
  male63.6 years (2024 est.) [1] :8
  female69.2 years (2024 est.) [1] :8
Fertility rate2.41 children born/woman (2024 est.) [1] :4
Infant mortality rate22.9 deaths/1,000 (2024 est.) [1] :8
Age structure
0–14 years28.8% (2019 est.)[ citation needed ]
15–64 years65.2% (2019 est.)[ citation needed ]
65 and over6% (2019 est.)[ citation needed ]
Sex ratio
Total0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)[ citation needed ]
At birth1.02 male(s)/female[ citation needed ]
Under 151 male(s)/female[ citation needed ]
15–64 years1.02 male(s)/female[ citation needed ]
65 and over0.68 male(s)/female[ citation needed ]
Nationality
Nationality South African
Major ethnic
Minor ethnic
Language
OfficialSee Languages of South Africa
Population density in South Africa (darker color = higher density) South Africa 2011 population density map (hex cells).svg
Population density in South Africa (darker color = higher density)

According to the 2022 census, the population of South Africa is about 62 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions. With a majority being Black Africans. [3] The South African National Census of 2022 was the most recent census held; the next will be in 2032. [4]

Contents

In 2011, Statistics South Africa counted 2.1 million foreigners in total. [5] Reports[ specify ] suggest that is an underestimation. The real figure may be as high as five million, [6] including some three million Zimbabweans. [7]

History

Historical population of South Africa Historical population of South Africa.svg
Historical population of South Africa

The earliest creatures that can be identified as human ancestors in South Africa are australopithecines. The first evidence of this was a child's skull found in the Taung quarry site. This was in the modern day North-West province. More fossils australopithecines were found in limestone caves Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, and Kromdaai. [8]

Population

Earlier Censuses, 1904 to 2011

1904 Census

South African population figures for the 1904 Census. [9]

Colony
Pop.
Group
Cape Colony Natal Transvaal Orange River
Colony
TotalPercent
Black  1,424,787904,041937,127225,1013,491,056
67.5%
White 579,74197,109297,277142,6901,116,805
21.6%
Coloured 395,0346,68624,22619,282445,228
8.6%
Indian 10,242100,91811,321253122,734
2.4%
Total2,409,8041,108,7541,269,951387,3155,175,463
100.0%
% of S. Africa
46.6%
21.4%
24.5%
7.5%
100%

1960 Census

Sources: Statesman's Year-Book 1967–1968; [10] Europa Year Book 1969 [11]

Province
Pop. Group
Cape of
Good Hope
Natal Transvaal Orange
Free State
TotalPercent
Black 3,011,0802,199,9204,633,3781,083,88610,928,264
68.3%
White 1,003,207340,2351,468,305276,7453,088,492
19.3%
Coloured 1,330,08945,253108,00725,9091,509,258
9.4%
Indian 18,477394,85463,7877477,125
3.0%
Total5,362,8532,980,2626,273,4771,386,54716,003,139
100.0%
% of S. Africa
33.5%
18.6%
39.2%
8.7%
100%

1904–85 national census numbers

Bantustan demographics were removed from South African census data during Apartheid and for this reason official figures on the national population of the country during that period will be inaccurate. [12]

Population Size by Race, 1904–85 (1,000 people)
YearBlacksWhitesColouredsAsiansTotal
Popu-
lation (1,000 people)
%Popu-
lation (1,000 people)
%Popu-
lation (1,000 people)
%Popu-
lation (1,000 people)
%Popu-
lation
(1,000 people)
Area included
19044,019
67.3%
1,117
21.6%
445
8.6%
122
2.4%
5,174South Africa
19113,490
67.5%
1,276
21.4%
525
8.8%
152
2.6%
5,972South Africa
19214,697
67.8%
1,521
22.0%
545
7.9%
163
2.4%
6,926South Africa
19366,596
68.8%
2,003
20.9%
769
8.0%
220
2.3%
9,588South Africa
19467,830
68.6%
2,372
20.8%
928
8.1%
285
2.5%
11,415South Africa
19518,560
67.6%
2,642
20.9%
1,103
8.7%
367
2.9%
12,672South Africa
196010,928
68.3%
3,088
19.3%
1,509
9.4%
477
3.0%
16,002South Africa
197011,891
64.9%
3,759
20.5%
2,039
11.1%
630
3.4%
18,319South Africa - excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda & Ciskei
197015,340
70.4%
3,773
17.3%
2,051
9.4%
630
2.9%
21,794South Africa
198013,135
63.9%
4,221
20.5%
2,459
12.0%
748
3.6%
20,563South Africa - excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana & Venda
198016,992
68.0%
4,512
18.1%
2,688
10.8%
803
3.2%
24,995South Africa - estimate
198515,163
64.8%
4,569
19.5%
2,833
12.1%
821
3.51%
23,386South Africa - excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda & Ciskei
198519,052
68.8%
4,837
17.5%
2,396
8.7%
879
3.2%
27,704South Africa - estimate
YearBlacksWhitesColouredsAsiansTotalArea included

1996 Census

Source: The People of South Africa: Population Census, 1996 [13]

map
Population
Group
Province ↓
BlackWhiteColouredIndian/
Asian
OtherTotal% of
S.A.
1 Northern Cape in South Africa.svg Northern Cape 278,633111,844435,3682,26812,208840,321
2.1%
2 Western Cape in South Africa.svg Western Cape 826,691821,5512,146,10940,376122,1483,956,875
9.7%
3 Eastern Cape in South Africa.svg Eastern Cape 5,448,495330,294468,53219,35635,8496,302,525
15.5%
4 KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.svg KwaZulu-Natal 6,880,652558,182117,951790,81369,4238,417,021
20.7%
5 Mpumalanga in South Africa.svg Mpumalanga 2,497,834253,39220,28313,08316,1202,800,711
6.9%
6 Free State in South Africa.svg Free State 2,223,940316,45979,0382,80511,2622,633,504
6.5%
7 Gauteng in South Africa.svg Gauteng 5,147,4441,702,343278,692161,28958,6547,348,423
18.1%
8 Limpopo in South Africa.svg Northern Province
(Limpopo)
4,765,255117,8787,8215,51032,9044,929,368
12.1%
9 North West in South Africa.svg North West 3,058,686222,75546,65210,09716,6353,354,825
8.3%
Map of South Africa with provincial borders.svg South Africa Total31,127,631 4,434,6973,600,4461,045,596375,20440,583,573
100%
Percent
76.7%
10.9%
8.9%
2.6%
0.9%
100%
Population Group →BlackWhiteColouredAsianOtherTotal% of RSA

2001 Census

Source: Statistics South Africa: Census 2001 [14]

Province
Pop. Group
Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Northern Cape North West Western Cape TotalPercent
Black 5,635,0792,381,0736,522,7928,002,4075,128,6162,886,345293,9763,358,4501,207,42935,416,166
79.0%
White 304,506238,7911,758,398483,448126,276203,244102,042244,035832,9014,293,640
9.6%
Coloured 478,80783,193337,974141,88710,16322,158424,38956,9592,438,9763,994,505
8.9%
Indian/Asian 18,3723,719218,015798,2758,58711,2442,3209,90645,0301,115,467
2.5%
Total6,436,763 2,706,7758,837,1789,426,0175,273,6423,122,990822,7273,669,3494,524,33544,819,778
100.0%
% of S.A.
14.4%
6.0%
19.7%
21.0%
11.8%
7.0%
1.8%
8.2%
10.1%
100%

2011 Census

Source: Census 2011: Census in Brief [15]

Province
Pop. Group
Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Northern Cape North West Western Cape TotalPercent
Black 5,660,2302,405,5339,493,6848,912,9215,224,7543,662,219576,9863,152,0631,912,54741,000,938
79.2%
Coloured 541,85083,844423,594141,37614,41536,611461,89971,4092,840,4044,615,401
8.9%
White 310,450239,0261,913,884428,842139,359303,59581,246255,385915,0534,586,838
8.9%
Indian/Asian 27,92910,398356,574756,99117,88127,9177,82720,65260,7611,286,930
2.5%
Other21,5956,79084,52727,1708,4599,59717,90310,44493,969280,454
0.5%
Total6,562,053 2,745,59012,272,26310,267,3005,404,8684,039,9391,145,8613,669,3495,822,73451,770,560
100.0%
% of S.A.
12.7%
5.3%
23.7%
19.8%
10.4%
7.8%
2.2%
7.1%
11.2%
100%

2022 Census

Source: Census 2022 Statistical Release [16]

Province
Pop. Group
Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga Northern Cape North West Western Cape TotalPercent
Black 6,189,0752,630,55612,763,31210,535,8306,341,6014,898,063679,3833,562,5242,884,51150,486,856
81.4%
Coloured 547,74178,141443,857183,01918,40932,100563,60560,7203,124,7575,052,349
8.2%
White 403,061235,9151,509,800513,377167,524185,73199,150171,8871,217,8074,504,252
7.3%
Indian/Asian 37,56812,978329,7361,157,54235,95825,88210,8242,65484,3631,697,506
2.7%
Other48,3394,27435,89027,4427,1724402,6675,894115,235247,353
0.4%
Total7,225,784 2,961,86415,084,59512,417,2106,570,6645,142,2161,355,6293,803,6797,426,67361,988,314
100.0%
% of S.A.
11.7%
4.8%
24.3%
20.0%
10.6%
8.3%
2.2%
6.1%
12.0%
100%
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1100,000    
1000300,000+0.11%
1500600,000+0.14%
1600700,000+0.15%
17001,000,000+0.36%
18201,550,000+0.37%
18702,547,000+1.00%
19045,175,463+2.11%
19115,972,757+2.07%
19136,153,000+1.50%
19216,927,403+1.49%
19369,587,863+2.19%
194611,415,925+1.76%
195013,683,162+4.63%
195515,384,557+2.37%
196017,396,367+2.49%
197022,502,502+2.61%
198029,077,143+2.60%
199036,793,490+2.38%
199541,426,810+2.40%
200144,819,777+1.32%
200748,502,063+1.32%
201151,770,560+1.64%
201655,653,654+1.46%
202262,027,503+1.82%
Note: Population estimates (1 AD - 1870 AD) are deduced from quantitative macroeconomic historical calculations. 1 (est.), 1000 (est.), 1500 (est.), 1600 (est.), 1700 (est.), 1820 (est.), 1870 (est.), 1913, [17] 1904 [9] 1904-1946, [18] [19] [20] 1950-2010, [21] 2001, 2011, 2015 [22]

Historical and projected population for the years 1 to 2022

UN Age and population estimates: 1950 to 2030

According to the 2019 revision of the United Nations Secretariat's World Population Prospects , South Africa's total population was 55,386,000 in 2015, compared to only 13,628,000 in 1950. In 2015, 29.3% of the people were children under the age of 15, 65.7% were between 15 and 64 years of age, and 5.0% were 65 or older. [23] All population estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand.

YearTotal populationPercentage in age bracket
under 15 years old15 to 64 years oldat least 65 years old
195013,628,000
38.2%
57.7%
4.1%
195515,207,000
39.5%
56.5%
3.9%
196017,100,000
40.8%
55.4%
3.9%
196519,385,000
41.9%
54.3%
3.8%
197022,070,000
41.6%
54.7%
3.8%
197525,195,000
41.2%
55.0%
3.8%
198028,557,000
40.9%
55.3%
3.9%
198532,679,000
40.8%
55.4%
3.9%
199036,801,000
40.1%
55.9%
4.0%
199541,436,000
37.3%
58.4%
4.3%
200044,968,000
33.9%
61.6%
4.5%
200547,881,000
30.9%
64.5%
4.6%
201051,217,000
29.7%
65.6%
4.8%
201555,386,000
29.3%
65.7%
5.0%
202059,309,000
28.8%
65.7%
5.5%
202562,803,000
27.4%
66.5%
6.1%
203065,956,000
25.8%
67.6%
6.7%

UN population projections: 2019 to 2100

U.N. Population projections
YearPop.±% p.a.
201958,558,000    
203065,956,000+1.09%
205075,518,000+0.68%
210079,191,000+0.10%
Note that the average percentage changes are per year (per annum), and not the total change over the period between estimates
Source: United Nations Secretariat [24]

[25] [ failed verification ]

Vital statistics

Statistics South Africa: From 2002 to present

The following statistics are obtained from the mid-year population estimates published by Statistics South Africa: [1]

  Population estimates for South Africa 2002-2020
Average populationLive birthsDeathsNatural changeCrude birth rate (per 1,000)Crude death rate (per 1,000)Natural change (per 1,000) Total fertility rates
200246,572,861987,121621,727365,39421.213.37.82.55
200347,005,180975,304639,556335,74820.713.67.12.48
200447,504,6911,049,185660,576388,60922.113.98.22.62
200548,060,5771,113,332683,422429,91023.214.28.92.74
200648,642,3061,146,355698,831447,52423.614.49.22.77
200749,264,6651,170,206690,859479,34723.814.09.72.77
200849,935,8721,196,308676,658519,65024.013.610.42.78
200950,653,8131,197,835644,046553,78923.612.710.92.74
201051,405,0091,182,577608,869573,70823.011.811.22.65
201152,217,0381,194,399572,658621,74122.911.011.92.64
201253,068,3301,199,305547,027652,27822.610.312.32.61
201353,940,1041,195,484529,404666,08022.29.812.32.56
201454,829,7831,192,619515,742676,87721.89.412.32.52
201555,710,6751,177,128513,781663,34721.19.211.92.45
201656,543,3651,129,875519,496610,37920.09.210.82.33
201757,366,3231,119,165523,259595,90619.59.110.42.28
201858,233,2131,155,430520,337635,09319.88.910.92.34
201959,131,1361,184,110522,734661,37620.08.811.22.38
202060,002,6391,215,381528,117687,26420.38.811.52.42
202160,641,5421,223,452675,121548,33120.211.19.02.42
202261,356,1681,223,535631,623591,91219.910.39.62.42
202362,180,3911,222,387540,620681,76719.78.711.02.42
202463,015,9041,224,801547,360677,44119.48.710.82.41
Mid-year population estimates for South Africa by population group and sex, 2020
Population GroupMaleFemaleTotal
Number% Distribution of MalesNumber% Distribution of FemalesNumber% Distribution of Total
Black African23,519,47480.724,634,25380.848,153,72780.8
Coloured2,555,2048.82,692,5368.85,247,7408.8
Indian/Asian787,6622.7753,4512.51,541,1132.6
White2,266,5357.82,413,2357.94,679,7707.8
Total29,128,875100.030,493,475100.059,622,350100.0
  Mid-year population estimates for South Africa by province, 2020

United Nations estimates, 2019

The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates. [23] (Natural increase or decrease over a time period is the difference between that period's live births and deaths, before accounting for inward or outward migration.)

PeriodLive births per yearDeaths per yearNatural Increase per yearCrude Birth Rate
(per 1,000 per year)
Crude Death Rate
(per 1,000 per year)
Natural Increase
(per 1,000 per year)
Total Fertility Rate (over av'ge woman's life)Infant Mortality Rate (per 100,000 live births)
1950–1955606,600292,400+ 314,20042.120.7+ 21.86.05134
1955–1960669,400293,800+ 375,60041.418.2+ 23.36.05121
1960–1965740,200304,600+ 435,60040.616.7+ 23.96.00112
1965–1970810,600313,600+ 497,00039.115.2+ 24.05.80103
1970–1975896,000315,400+ 580,60037.913.3+ 24.65.5089
1975–1980967,400309,800+ 657,60036.011.5+ 24.55.0571
1980–19851,099,200311,000+ 788,20035.910.2+ 25.74.9056
1985–19901,147,400299,400+ 848,00033.08.6+ 24.44.4046
1990–19951,074,600318,000+ 756,60027.58.1+ 19.33.5141
1995–20001,026,600448,000+ 578,60023.810.4+ 13.42.8847
2000–20051,051,600626,800+ 424,80022.713.5+  9.22.6154
2005–20101,166,200671,400+ 494,80023.513.6+ 10.02.6248
2010–20151,207,200557,200+ 650,00022.610.5+ 12.22.5533
2015–20201,185,000546,000+ 639,00020.79.5+ 11.12.4127
2020–20251,159,600573,200+ 586,40019.09.4+  9.62.3124
2025–20301,143,400604,400+ 539,00017.89.4+  8.42.2221
Total Fertility Rate = average number of children over a woman's lifetime; Infant Mortality Rate per 100,000 live births

Age and sex distribution

Population pyramid, 2011 Rza-age-2011.svg
Population pyramid, 2011
Age groupMaleFemale percentFemaleTotalPercent of RSA
0–147,969,88049.6%7,842,38815,812,26831.3%
15–6415,538,93451.8%16,696,60032,235,53463.7%
65+1,006,22251.8%1,532,7332,538,9555.0%
All ages24,515,03651.5%26,071,72150,586,757100%
Age groupMaleFemale percentFemaleTotalPercent of RSA
under 52,867,58549.6%2,817,8675,685,45211.0%
5–92,425,18149.7%2,394,5704,819,7519.3%
10–142,344,27549.0%2,250,6114,594,8868.9%
15–192,498,57250.1%2,504,9055,003,4779.7%
20–242,694,64649.9%2,679,8965,374,54210.4%
25–292,542,68249.7%2,516,6355,059,3179.8%
30–342,036,20649.5%1,992,8044,029,0107.8%
35–391,709,34750.7%1,758,4203,467,7676.7%
40–441,402,32852.4%1,546,2912,948,6195.7%
45–491,195,74054.4%1,424,5432,620,2835.1%
50–541,011,34954.4%1,206,9402,218,2894.3%
55–59811,95054.8%985,4581,797,4083.5%
60–64612,36455.8%773,4041,385,7682.7%
65–69401,54858.1%556,256957,8041.9%
70–74293,49860.8%454,832748,3301.4%
75–79165,28365.7%315,984481,2670.9%
80–84100,69468.8%222,222322,9160.6%
85-plus75,54370.5%180,130255,6730.5%
TOTAL25,188,79151.3%26,581,76951,770,560100%
Number of children 0–14Number of women 15–49ProportionFertility Rate
15,812,26413,866,4891.142.35

Age and race distribution

Age distribution within each racial group

By generation
Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other AsianOthers
# %# %# %# %# %# %
0–1415,100,089
29.2%
12,702,324
31.0%
1,311,811
28.4%
771,187
16.8%
258,602
20.1%
56,164
20.0%
15–6433,904,479
65.5%
26,502,329
64.6%
3,085,684
66.9%
3,165,965
68.9%
939,379
73.0%
211,126
75.3%
65-plus2,765,992
5.3%
1,796,285
4.4%
217,906
4.7%
649,686
14.2%
88,949
6.9%
13,164
4.7%
All ages51,770,560
100%
41,000,938
100%
4,615,401
100%
4,586,838
100%
1,286,930
100%
280,454
100%
% of SA
100%
79.20%
8.92%
8.86%
2.49%
0.54%


Racial composition of each age group in 2015 (estimates)

Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %# %
0–1416,612,043
30.23%
14,244,663
32.21%
1,288,601
26.66%
789,492
17.41%
289,285
21.24%
15–6435,465,499
64.53%
28,170,797
63.69%
3,299,771
68.28%
3,026,475
66.75%
968,649
71.12%
65-plus2,879,378
5.24%
1,812,535
4.10%
244,544
5.06%
718,041
15.84%
104.068
7.64%
All ages54,956,920100%44,227,995
100%
4,832,916
100%
4,534,008
100%
1,362,002
100%
% of SA
100%
80.48%
8.79%
8.25%
2.48%
By five-year cohorts
Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %# %
under 55,936,35010.80%5,156,50811.66%426,1568.82%254,9785.62%98,7087.25%
5 to 95,537,22510.08%4,746,11510.73%430,6668.91%263,3785.81%97,0657.13%
10 to 145,138,4689.35%4,342,0409.82%431,7798.93%271,1365.98%93,5126.87%
15 to 195,124,3739.32%4,292,2209.70%437,4129.05%295,7336.52%99,0077.27%
20 to 245,302,2469.65%4,461,51510.09%426,0138.81%306,4156.76%108,3047.95%
25 to 295,232,2549.52%4,437,57010.03%389,4298.06%287,4856.34%117,7718.65%
30 to 344,307,6937.84%3,535,1737.99%366,9557.59%281,3586.21%124,2069.12%
35 to 393,774,9216.87%3,001,9896.79%376,4887.79%279,4396.16%117,0058.59%
40 to 443,204,9525.83%2,444,9725.53%368,8867.63%288,3706.36%102,7257.54%
45 to 492,738,5804.98%2,004,0094.53%307,3636.36%335,4347.40%91,7746.74%
50 to 542,297,5864.18%1,619,2493.66%264,5935.47%332,9777.34%80,7675.93%
55 to 591,942,9423.54%1,334,8003.02%209,9334.34%328,9997.26%69,2105.08%
60 to 641,539,9532.80%1,039,3012.35%152,6983.16%290,0756.40%57,8794.25%
65 to 691,153,1592.10%737,5811.67%105,4032.18%265,8185.86%44,3573.26%
70 to 74805,1141.46%511,7231.16%65,4651.35%198,8764.39%28,9492.13%
75 to 79502,0050.91%313,8000.71%41,9780.87%128,6752.84%17,5521.29%
80-plus419,1000.76%249,4310.56%31,6980.66%124,6722.75%13,2100.97%
All ages54,956,920100%44,227,995(100%)4,832,916(100%)4,534,008(100%)1,362,002(100%)
% of SA100%80.48%8.79%8.25%2.48%
Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %
under 55,936,3505,156,50886.86%426,1567.18%254,9784.30%98,7081.66%
5 to 95,537,2254,746,11585.71%430,6667.78%263,3784.76%97,0651.75%
10 to 145,138,4684,342,04084.50%431,7798.40%271,1365.28%93,5121.82%
15 to 195,124,3734,292,22083.76%437,4128.54%295,7335.77%99,0071.93%
20 to 245,302,2464,461,51584.14%426,0138.03%306,4155.78%108,3042.04%
25 to 295,232,2544,437,57084.81%389,4297.44%287,4855.49%117,7712.25%
30 to 344,307,6933,535,17382.07%366,9558.52%281,3586.53%124,2062.88%
35 to 393,774,9213,001,98979.52%376,4889.97%279,4397.40%117,0053.10%
40 to 443,204,9522,444,97276.29%368,88611.51%288,3709.00%102,7253.21%
45 to 492,738,5802,004,00973.18%307,36311.22%335,43412.25%91,7743.35%
50 to 542,297,5861,619,24970.48%264,59311.52%332,97714.49%80,7673.52%
55 to 591,942,9421,334,80068.70%209,93310.80%328,99916.93%69,2103.56%
60 to 641,539,9531,039,30167.49%152,6989.92%290,07518.84%57,8793.76%
65 to 691,153,159737,58163.96%105,4039.14%265,81823.05%44,3573.85%
70 to 74805,114511,72363.56%65,4658.13%198,87624.70%28,9493.60%
75 to 79502,005313,80062.51%41,9788.36%128,67525.63%17,5523.50%
80-plus419,100249,43159.52%31,6987.56%124,67229.75%13,2103.15%
All ages54,956,92044,227,9954,832,9164,534,0081,362,002
% of SA80.48%8.79%8.25%2.48%

Racial composition of each age group in 2020 (estimates)

Source: [26]

Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %# %
0–1417,050,95528.60%14,605,41630.33%1,408,55326.84%742,91315.87%294,07319.08%
15–6438,941,22165.31%31,368,17465.14%3,487,28466.45%2,988,63463.86%1,097,12971.19%
65-plus3,630,1746.09%2,180,1374.53%351,9036.71%948,22320.26%149,9119.73%
All ages59,622,350100%48,153,727(100%)5,247,740(100%)4,679,770(100%)1,541,113(100%)
% of SA100%80.76%8.80%7.85%2.58%
Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %# %
under 55,743,4509.63%4,940,75110.26%476,3229.08%226,7154.84%99,6626.47%
5 to 95,715,9529.59%4,890,89510.16%475,5189.06%249,9915.34%99,5486.46%
10 to 145,591,5539.38%4,773,7709.91%456,7138.70%266,2075.69%94,8636.16%
15 to 194,774,5798.01%4,031,7048.37%411,0567.83%243,2675.20%88,5525.75%
20 to 244,823,3678.09%4,043,4328.40%423,1808.06%254,4655.44%102,2906.64%
25 to 295,420,7549.09%4,586,7809.53%435,7468.30%267,6545.72%130,5748.47%
30 to 345,641,7509.46%4,769,4999.90%431,2748.22%296,1606.33%144,8179.40%
35 to 394,798,2938.05%3,962,7808.23%381,8587.28%308,9596.60%144,6969.39%
40 to 443,733,9426.26%2,988,9996.21%316,6116.03%306,4146.55%121,9187.91%
45 to 493,169,6485.32%2,393,3174.97%312,6655.96%352,6487.54%111,0187.20%
50 to 542,571,2634.31%1,834,1913.81%302,2245.76%337,8397.22%97,0096.29%
55 to 592,211,3093.71%1,546,6743.21%264,9675.05%314,4236.72%85,2455.53%
60 to 641,796,3163.01%1,210,7982.51%207,7033.96%306,8056.56%71,0104.61%
65 to 691,408,6652.36%918,6041.91%150,9412.88%281,3186.01%57,8023.75%
70 to 741,007,1741.69%619,1061.29%97,1271.85%248,6735.31%42,2682.74%
75 to 79637,0621.07%365,4090.76%56,8221.08%188,1234.02%26,7081.73%
80-plus577,2730.97%277,0180.58%47,0130.90%230,1094.92%23,1331.50%
All ages59,622,350100%48,153,727(100%)5,247,740(100%)4,679,770(100%)1,541,113(100%)
% of SA100%80.76%8.80%7.85%2.58%
Age groupAll racesBlack AfricanColouredWhiteIndian or other Asian
# %# %# %# %
under 55,743,4504,940,75186.02%476,3228.29%226,7153.95%99,6621.74%
5 to 95,715,9524,890,89585.57%475,5188.32%249,9914.37%99,5481.74%
10 to 145,591,5534,773,77085.37%456,7138.17%266,2074.76%94,8631.70%
15 to 194,774,5794,031,70484.44%411,0568.61%243,2675.10%88,5521.85%
20 to 244,823,3674,043,43283.83%423,1808.77%254,4655.28%102,2902.12%
25 to 295,420,7544,586,78084.62%435,7468.04%267,6544.94%130,5742.41%
30 to 345,641,7504,769,49984.54%431,2747.64%296,1605.25%144,8172.57%
35 to 394,798,2933,962,78082.59%381,8587.96%308,9596.44%144,6963.02%
40 to 443,733,9422,988,99980.05%316,6118.48%306,4148.21%121,9183.27%
45 to 493,169,6482,393,31775.51%312,6659.86%352,64811.13%111,0183.50%
50 to 542,571,2631,834,19171.33%302,22411.75%337,83913.14%97,0093.77%
55 to 592,211,3091,546,67469.94%264,96711.98%314,42314.22%85,2453.85%
60 to 641,796,3161,210,79867.40%207,70311.56%306,80517.08%71,0103.95%
65 to 691,408,665918,60465.21%150,94110.72%281,31819.97%57,8024.10%
70 to 741,007,174619,10661.47%97,1279.64%248,67324.69%42,2684.20%
75 to 79637,062365,40957.36%56,8228.92%188,12329.53%26,7084.19%
80-plus577,273277,01847.99%47,0138.14%230,10939.86%23,1334.01%
All ages59,622,35048,153,7275,247,7404,679,7701,541,113
% of SA80.76%8.80%7.85%2.58%

Fertility rate (The Demographic Health Survey)

Fertility rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and CBR (Crude Birth Rate): [27]

YearTotalUrbanRural
CBRTFRCBRTFRCBRTFR
199821.902.90 (2.3)19.22.25 (1.8)25.43.92 (2.9)
201622.32.6 (2.0)21.92.4 (1.9)23.13.1 (2.4)

Fertility rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) by ethnic group.

YearTotalBlack AfricanWhiteColouredIndian/Asian
19982.9 (2.3)3.1 (2.4)1.9 (1.5)2.5 (2.1)
20162.6 (2.0)2.7 (2.1)1.5 (1.2)2.5 (1.9)1.7 (1.6)

Life expectancy

Life expectancy at birth from 1950 to 2020 (UN World Population Prospects): [28]

Life expectancy in South Africa Life expectancy by WBG -South Africa -diff.png
Life expectancy in South Africa
  Life expectancy in South Africa 1950–2020 (per 5 yr clusters)
PeriodLife expectancy
(years)
1950–195548.5
1955–1960Increase2.svg 51.3
1960–1965Increase2.svg 53.0
1965–1970Increase2.svg 54.8
1970–1975Increase2.svg 56.7
1975–1980Increase2.svg 57.3
1980–1985Increase2.svg 58.4
1985–1990Increase2.svg 61.0
1990–1995Increase2.svg 62.3
1995–2000Decrease2.svg 59.2
2000–2005Decrease2.svg 53.8
2005–2010Decrease2.svg 53.1
2010–2015Increase2.svg 59.5
2015–2020Increase2.svg 63.7
  Life expectancy in South Africa 1950–2021 (per 5 yr clusters)
[29]

Ethnic groups

Dominant population groups in South Africa.
African
Coloured
Indian or other Asian
White
None dominant
Little or no population South Africa 2011 dominant population group map (hex cells).svg
Dominant population groups in South Africa.
  African
  Coloured
  Indian or other Asian
  White
  None dominant
  Little or no population

Ethnic groups South Africa (1911)

   Black African (67%)
   White (21%)
   Coloured (9%)
   Asian (3%)

Racial groups South Africa (2022)

   Black African (81.4%)
   White (7.3%)
   Coloured (8.2%)
   Asian (2.7%)
  Other (0.4%)

Statistics South Africa asks people to describe themselves in the census in terms of five racial population groups. [30] The 2011 census figures for these groups were African at 80.2%, White at 8.4%, Coloured at 8.8%, Indian/Asian at 2.5%, and Other/Unspecified at 0.5%. [31]

The white percentage of the population has sharply declined. The first census in South Africa in 1911 showed that whites made up 22% of the population. This declined to 16% in 1980, [32] 8.9% in 2011 and 7.65% in 2022. [33] :21 Coloured South Africans replaced Whites as the largest minority group around 2010.

Languages

South Africa has twelve official languages: [34] isiZulu [31] 24.4%, isiXhosa [31] 16.3%, Afrikaans [31] 10.6%, English [31] 8.7%, Sepedi [31] 10.0%, Setswana [31] 8.3%, Sesotho [31] 7.8%, Xitsonga [31] 4.7%, siSwati [31] 2.8%, Tshivenda [31] 2.5%, isiNdebele [31] 1.7% and South African Sign Language. [35]

In this regard, it is third only to Bolivia and India in number. While all the languages are formally equal, some languages are spoken more than others. According to the 2022 census, the three most spoken languages in the household are Zulu (24.4%), Xhosa (16.3%), and Afrikaans (10.6%). [3]

Between 1996 and 2022, the proportion of Afrikaans speakers declined from 14.5% to 10.6% and English held steady at 8.7%, whle isiZulu grew from 22.8% to 24.4%, and Xhosa declined from 17.9% to 16.3% [36]

The country also recognises several unofficial languages, including Sekholokoe, Fanagalo, Khwe, Lobedu, Nama, Northern Ndebele, Phuthi and San. [37] These unofficial languages may be used in certain official uses in limited areas where it has been determined that these languages are prevalent. Nevertheless, their populations are not such that they require nationwide recognition.

Many of the "unofficial languages" of the San and Khoikhoi people contain regional dialects stretching northwards into Namibia and Botswana, and elsewhere. These people, who are a physically distinct population from other Africans, have their own cultural identity based on their hunter-gatherer societies. They have been marginalised to a great extent, and many of their languages are in danger of becoming extinct.

Many white South Africans also speak other European languages, such as Portuguese (also spoken by black Angolans and Mozambicans), German, Serbian and Greek, while some Indians and other Asians in South Africa speak South Asian languages, such as Bhojpuri, Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu and Telugu. Although many South Africans are of Huguenot (French) origin, South African French is spoken by fewer than 10,000 individuals country-wide. Congolese French is also spoken in South Africa by migrants.

The primary sign language of deaf South Africans is South African Sign Language. Other sign languages among indigenous peoples are also used.

By ethnicity

In 2011, the first language was Zulu for 28.1% of Black South African residents, Xhosa for 19.8%, Sepedi for 11.2%, Tswana for 9.7%, Sesotho for 9.3%, Tsonga for 5.5%, siSwati for 3.1%, Venda for 2.9%, English for 2.8%, Southern Ndebele for 2.6%, Afrikaans for 1.5%, while 3.4% had another first language. [38]

Among whites, Afrikaans was the first language for 59.1% of the population, compared to 35.0% for English. Other languages accounted for the remaining 5.9%. [38]

Religion

Religion in South Africa (2022 census) [39]

   Christianity (85.3%)
   Islam (1.6%)
   Hinduism (1.1%)
   Judaism (0.1%)
   Atheism (0.1%)
   Agnosticism (0.1%)
  Other (1%)

According to the 2022 national census, Christians accounted for 85.3% of the population. [3] This includes[ when? ] Protestant (36.6%), Zionist Christian (11.1%), Pentecostal/Charismatic (8.2%), Roman Catholic (7.1%), Methodist (6.8%), Dutch Reformed (6.7%), Anglican (3.8%); members of other Christian churches accounted for another 36% of the population. Muslims accounted for 1.5% of the population, Other 2.3%, and 1.4% were Unspecified and None 15.1%.[ citation needed ]

Muslims are largely found among the Coloured and Indian ethnic groups. They have been joined by black or white South African converts as well as immigrants from other parts of Africa. [40] South African Muslims claim that their faith is the fastest-growing religion of conversion in the country, with the number of black Muslims growing sixfold, from 12,000 in 1991 to 74,700 in 2004. [40] [41]

The Hindu population has its roots in the British colonial period, but later waves of immigration from India have also contributed to it. Most Hindus are of South Asian origin, but there are many who come from mixed racial stock. Some are converts due to the efforts of ISKCON.

Other minority religions in South Africa are Sikhism, Jainism, Baháʼí Faith and Judaism. [42]

By ethnicity

86.0% of black residents are Christian, 3.0% have no religion, 0.3% are Muslim, 0.0% are Jewish, 0.0% are Hindu, 9.5% Traditional African and 1.2% have other or undetermined beliefs (2022 Census).

90.1% of white residents are Christian, 4.9% have no religion, 0.3% are Muslim, 0.7% are Jewish, and 0.1% are Hindu. 3.9% have other or undetermined beliefs (2022 Census).

Other demographic statistics

Demographics development according to the United Nations South Africa Population 1950-2021 Forecast 2022-2032 UN World Population Prospects 2022.svg
Demographics development according to the United Nations

Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2022. [43]

The following demographics are from the CIA World Factbook [44] unless otherwise indicated.

Population

57,516,665 (2022 est.)
55,380,210 (July 2018 est.)

Age structure

Population pyramid of South Africa in 2020 South Africa single age population pyramid 2020.png
Population pyramid of South Africa in 2020
0-14 years: 27.94% (male 7,894,742/female 7,883,266)
15-24 years: 16.8% (male 4,680,587/female 4,804,337)
25-54 years: 42.37% (male 12,099,441/female 11,825,193)
55-64 years: 6.8% (male 1,782,902/female 2,056,988)
65 years and over: 6.09% (2020 est.) (male 1,443,956/female 1,992,205)
0-14 years: 28.18% (male 7,815,651 /female 7,793,261)
15-24 years: 17.24% (male 4,711,480 /female 4,837,897)
25-54 years: 42.05% (male 11,782,848 /female 11,503,831)
55-64 years: 6.71% (male 1,725,034 /female 1,992,035)
65 years and over: 5.81% (male 1,351,991 /female 1,866,182) (2018 est.)

Birth rate

18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 77th
19.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 78th

Death rate

9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 52nd
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 57th

Total fertility rate

2.18 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 90th
2.26 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 91st

Population growth rate

0.93% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 103rd
0.97% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 114th

Median age

Total: 28 years. Country comparison to the world: 142nd
Male: 27.9 years
Female: 28.1 years (2020 est.)
Total: 27.4 years. Country comparison to the world: 144th
Male: 27.2 years
Female: 27.6 years (2018 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.6% (2016)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 98th
-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 138th

Dependency ratios

Total dependency ratio: 52.5 (2015 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 44.8 (2015 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 (2015 est.)
Potential support ratio: 12.9 (2015 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 68.3% of total population (2022)
Rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population: 66.4% of total population (2018)
Rate of urbanization: 1.97% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 65.32 years. Country comparison to the world: 202nd
Male: 63.99 years
Female: 66.68 years (2022 est.)
Total population: 64.1 years (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

Degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout South Africa; as of 6 June 2022, South Africa has reported a total of 3,968,205 cases of COVID-19 or 6,690.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 101,317 cumulative deaths or a rate of 170.83 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 36.33% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Ethnic groups

Black African 80.9%, colored 8.8%, white 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% (2021 est.)
note: Colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years

Languages

Map showing the dominant languages in South Africa SAPS language.png
Map showing the dominant languages in South Africa
isiZulu (official) 24.7%, isiXhosa (official) 15.6%, Afrikaans (official) 12.1%, Sepedi (official) 9.8%, Setswana (official) 8.9%, English (official) 8.4%, Sesotho (official) 8%, Xitsonga (official) 4%, siSwati (official) 2.6%, Tshivenda (official) 2.5%, Khoi, Nama, and San languages 1.9% isiNdebele (official) 1.6% (2017 est.)
note: data represent language spoken most often at home

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2020) Country comparison to the world: 22nd
6.1% of GDP (2017) Country comparison to the world: 34th

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

Total population: 95%
Male: 95.5%
Female: 94.5% (2019)
Total population: 94.4%
Male: 95.4%
Female: 95.4% (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Total: 14 years
Male: 13 years
Female: 14 years (2019)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

Total: 59.4%
Male: 55.4%
Female: 64.1% (2020 est.)

Immigration

COB data South Africa.PNG

South Africa hosts a sizeable refugee and asylum seeker population. According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, this population numbered approximately 144,700 in 2007. [45] Groups of refugees and asylum seekers numbering over 10,000 included people from Zimbabwe (48,400), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (24,800), and Somalia (12,900). [45] These populations mainly lived in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth. [45] Many refugees have now also started to work and live in rural areas in provinces such as Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

Statistics SA assumes in some of their calculations that there are fewer than 2 million immigrants in South Africa. [46] Other institutions, like the police and Médecins Sans Frontières place estimate the figure at 4 million. [47] [48] [49] [50]

Immigration figures

Main countries of immigration in South Africa according to the 2011 Census and 2022 Census:

Source: 2022 South African census [51]
Place of birthPopulation, 2011Population, 2022Difference
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 672,3081,012,059339,751 Increase2.svg
Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 393,231416,56423,333 Increase2.svg
Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 160,806227,77066,964 Increase2.svg
Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 86,606198,807112,201 Increase2.svg
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 81,72061,282-20,438 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 28,23058,13129,901 Increase2.svg
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 40,57536,140-4,435 Decrease2.svg
Flag of India.svg  India 31,16527,350-3,815 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 26,34124,718-1,623 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 30,05424,625-5,429 Decrease2.svg
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo 26,06123,328-2,733 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 19,69620,8941,198 Increase2.svg
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DRC 25,63017,635-7,995 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 26,11615,838-10,278 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 17,24115,006-2,235 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 20,49412,139-8,355 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 12,3168,976-3,340 Decrease2.svg
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 15,6267,615-8,011 Decrease2.svg

Immigration assumptions by Statistics South Africa to South Africa based on race. Negative numbers represent net migration from South Africa to other countries. [52]

Immigration to SA by Race
(Negative values indicate net migration from SA elsewhere)
YearAfricanAsianWhite
1985-2000632 63336 908-202 868
2001-2006565 91625 310-99 574
2006-2011815 78043 222-106 787
2011-2016972 99554 697-111 346
2016-2021894 36549 584-90 956

Urbanization

"Urban areas contain about two-thirds of the population; many of these consist of huge informal or squatter settlements." [53]

Graphs and maps

See also

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The demographics of Ethiopia encompass the demographic features of inhabitants in Ethiopia, including ethnicity, languages, population density, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Grenada</span>

The demography of the people of Grenada, Grenadians, includes population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Kenya</span>

The demography of Kenya is monitored by the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics. Kenya is a multi-ethnic state in East Africa. Its total population was at 47,558,296 as of the 2019 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Lesotho</span>

Demographic features of the population of Lesotho include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Mauritius</span>

Mauritian society contains several ethnic groups. The majority of the residents of Mauritius are descendants of people from Africa followed by India. Mauritius also comprises migrants from continental Africa, China, France, and the East African island of Madagascar. As of 2023, Mauritius had the highest population density in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Namibia</span>

This is a demography of the population of Namibia including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Seychelles</span>

Demographic features of the population of Seychelles include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Sudan</span>

The demographics of Sudan include the Sudanese people and their characteristics, Sudan, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Eswatini</span>

Demographic features of the population of Eswatini include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Tanzania</span>

Demographic features of the population of Tanzania include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Togo</span>

The demographics of Togo include ethnicity, population density, age, education level, health, economic status and religious affiliations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Zimbabwe</span>

Demographic features of the population of Zimbabwe include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Zambia</span>

Demographic features of the population of Zambia include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and others aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Uganda</span>

Demographic features of the population of Uganda include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Benin</span>

The demographics of Benin include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Cuba</span>

The demographic characteristics of Cuba are known through census which have been conducted and analyzed by different bureaus since 1774. The National Office of Statistics of and Information of Cuba (ONEI) is doing it since 1953. The most recent census was conducted in September 2012. The population of Cuba at the 2012 census was nearly 11.2 million.

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Further reading