🇿🇦 Population of South Africa

60,414,494
Current Population of South Africa
547,047
Net population growth this year
49.49
Population Density (people/km²)

As of July 1, 2023 the population of South Africa reached 60,414,494, of which 29,451,976 people are male and 30,962,518 female. The country has a population density of 49.4871 people per square kilometer. With an overall population growth rate of 0.905% for the year. According to the latest data, South Africa is set to increase its population size by 664,406 people next year. Making the total population count of South Africa 61,020,221 people by 2024.

Historic Population of South Africa (1950 - 2023)

Between 1950 and 2023 the population of South Africa grown from 13,043,844 people to 60,414,494. An increase of the population size by 363.16% in 73 years.

Year Total Male Female People +/- Density (p/km²) Growth Rate
1950 13,043,844 6,768,290 6,275,554 272,258 10.6846 2.087%
1951 13,325,058 6,912,154 6,412,904 290,170 10.9149 2.178%
1952 13,622,914 7,064,011 6,558,903 305,542 11.1589 2.243%
1953 13,933,246 7,222,518 6,710,728 315,122 11.4131 2.262%
1954 14,255,876 7,386,504 6,869,372 330,137 11.6774 2.316%
1955 14,594,128 7,556,275 7,037,854 346,369 11.9544 2.373%
1956 14,948,934 7,732,762 7,216,172 363,243 12.2451 2.43%
1957 15,320,138 7,916,357 7,403,781 379,164 12.5491 2.475%
1958 15,700,877 8,105,212 7,595,664 382,314 12.861 2.435%
1959 16,096,455 8,299,522 7,796,932 408,842 13.185 2.54%
1960 16,520,440 8,502,462 8,017,980 439,130 13.5323 2.658%
1961 16,989,464 8,725,720 8,263,745 498,917 13.9165 2.937%
1962 17,503,134 8,971,110 8,532,024 528,421 14.3373 3.019%
1963 18,042,215 9,228,328 8,813,888 549,742 14.7789 3.047%
1964 18,603,097 9,496,079 9,107,018 572,022 15.2383 3.075%
1965 19,187,194 9,774,938 9,412,256 596,172 15.7167 3.107%
1966 19,789,771 10,062,791 9,726,980 608,982 16.2103 3.077%
1967 20,410,677 10,359,445 10,051,232 632,830 16.7189 3.101%
1968 21,050,540 10,665,272 10,385,268 646,897 17.2431 3.073%
1969 21,704,214 10,978,418 10,725,797 660,451 17.7785 3.043%
1970 22,368,306 11,297,621 11,070,686 667,733 18.3225 2.985%
1971 23,031,441 11,639,172 11,392,269 658,536 18.8657 2.859%
1972 23,698,507 12,008,340 11,690,167 675,596 19.4121 2.851%
1973 24,382,513 12,391,239 11,991,274 692,416 19.9724 2.84%
1974 25,077,016 12,779,064 12,297,952 696,590 20.5412 2.778%
1975 25,777,964 13,167,635 12,610,330 705,307 21.1154 2.736%
1976 26,480,300 13,548,594 12,931,705 699,363 21.6907 2.641%
1977 27,199,838 13,954,172 13,245,666 739,713 22.2801 2.72%
1978 27,943,445 14,394,419 13,549,026 747,502 22.8892 2.675%
1979 28,697,014 14,834,846 13,862,168 759,635 23.5065 2.647%
1980 29,463,549 15,277,164 14,186,385 773,436 24.1344 2.625%
1981 30,232,561 15,631,582 14,600,980 764,589 24.7643 2.529%
1982 31,022,417 15,892,088 15,130,329 815,123 25.4113 2.628%
1983 31,865,176 16,125,714 15,739,462 870,394 26.1016 2.732%
1984 32,768,206 16,336,890 16,431,317 935,667 26.8413 2.856%
1985 33,752,964 16,509,631 17,243,333 1,033,848 27.6479 3.063%
1986 34,877,834 16,884,765 17,993,069 1,215,891 28.5693 3.486%
1987 36,119,333 17,515,110 18,604,223 1,267,108 29.5863 3.508%
1988 37,393,853 18,162,510 19,231,343 1,281,932 30.6303 3.429%
1989 38,668,684 18,810,138 19,858,547 1,267,730 31.6745 3.279%
1990 39,877,570 19,422,611 20,454,959 1,150,042 32.6648 2.884%
1991 40,910,958 19,938,864 20,972,094 916,735 33.5112 2.241%
1992 41,760,755 20,288,796 21,471,959 782,858 34.2073 1.875%
1993 42,525,440 20,519,374 22,006,067 746,513 34.8337 1.755%
1994 43,267,982 20,745,186 22,522,796 738,569 35.4419 1.707%
1995 43,986,084 20,960,968 23,025,116 697,636 36.0302 1.586%
1996 44,661,603 21,154,148 23,507,455 653,403 36.5835 1.463%
1997 45,285,048 21,405,714 23,879,335 593,487 37.0942 1.311%
1998 45,852,166 21,703,485 24,148,681 540,749 37.5587 1.179%
1999 46,364,682 21,977,029 24,387,653 484,281 37.9785 1.045%
2000 46,813,266 22,221,377 24,591,889 412,887 38.346 0.882%
2001 47,229,714 22,447,806 24,781,908 420,010 38.6871 0.889%
2002 47,661,514 22,681,781 24,979,734 443,591 39.0408 0.931%
2003 48,104,048 22,925,383 25,178,665 441,477 39.4033 0.918%
2004 48,556,071 23,176,582 25,379,489 462,568 39.7736 0.953%
2005 49,017,148 23,433,293 25,583,854 459,585 40.1512 0.938%
2006 49,491,756 23,696,246 25,795,511 489,632 40.54 0.989%
2007 49,996,094 23,972,107 26,023,987 519,044 40.9531 1.038%
2008 50,565,812 24,278,088 26,287,724 620,390 41.4198 1.227%
2009 51,170,779 24,599,914 26,570,865 589,544 41.9153 1.152%
2010 51,784,921 24,927,507 26,857,414 638,741 42.4184 1.233%
2011 52,443,326 25,278,908 27,164,417 678,067 42.9577 1.293%
2012 53,145,033 25,651,390 27,493,643 725,348 43.5325 1.365%
2013 53,873,616 26,036,121 27,837,495 731,818 44.1293 1.358%
2014 54,729,551 26,500,685 28,228,865 980,052 44.8304 1.791%
2015 55,876,504 27,155,417 28,721,087 1,313,854 45.7699 2.351%
2016 56,422,274 27,418,165 29,004,108 -222,315 46.217 -0.394%
2017 56,641,209 27,465,269 29,175,940 660,187 46.3963 1.166%
2018 57,339,635 27,822,348 29,517,286 736,664 46.9684 1.285%
2019 58,087,055 28,207,948 29,879,107 758,176 47.5806 1.305%
2020 58,801,926 28,580,784 30,221,143 671,567 48.1662 1.142%
2021 59,392,255 28,894,608 30,497,646 509,090 48.6498 0.857%
2022 59,893,885 29,168,006 30,725,879 494,171 49.0607 0.825%
2023 60,414,494 29,451,976 30,962,518 547,047 49.4871 0.905%

Statements that can be derived from South Africa's population data

  • South Africa has a population of 60,414,494 people, as of July 1, 2023.
  • South Africa's population is equivalent to 0.76% of the total world population.
  • In 2023, South Africa's population will grow with 547,047 people.
  • In 2023, 58,496 more people will immigrate to South Africa than emigrate from the country.
  • The median age of the population in South Africa is 27.56 years.
  • In South Africa there are 49.49 people per square kilometers (0.386102 square miles), if spaced out evenly.
  • 26.77 infants die at birth out of a 1000 new born in South Africa.
  • In South Africa, 29,451,976 of the total population are male, and 30,962,518 are female.

Future Population of South Africa (2023 - 2100)

South Africa's population is set to incease in the future from 60,414,494 people to 74,559,590 people. An increase of the population size by 471.61% from 2023 to 2100.

Year Total Male Female People +/- Density (p/km²) Growth Rate
2023 60,414,494 29,451,976 30,962,518 547,047 49.4871 0.905%
2024 61,020,221 29,772,894 31,247,326 664,406 49.9833 1.089%
2025 61,673,081 30,113,737 31,559,343 641,314 50.518 1.04%
2026 62,305,039 30,443,430 31,861,608 622,601 51.0357 0.999%
2027 62,918,916 30,763,346 32,155,570 605,153 51.5385 0.962%
2028 63,514,502 31,073,364 32,441,138 586,020 52.0264 0.923%
2029 64,093,732 31,374,419 32,719,313 572,440 52.5009 0.893%
2030 64,659,278 31,667,857 32,991,421 558,652 52.9641 0.864%
2031 65,211,526 31,953,892 33,257,634 545,843 53.4165 0.837%
2032 65,752,924 32,233,726 33,519,197 536,954 53.8599 0.817%
2033 66,284,189 32,507,714 33,776,474 525,575 54.2951 0.793%
2034 66,804,167 32,775,315 34,028,852 514,381 54.721 0.77%
2035 67,314,133 33,037,153 34,276,980 505,549 55.1388 0.751%
2036 67,815,934 33,294,064 34,521,870 498,053 55.5498 0.734%
2037 68,308,246 33,545,341 34,762,904 486,571 55.9531 0.712%
2038 68,788,495 33,789,712 34,998,783 473,928 56.3465 0.689%
2039 69,256,823 34,027,248 35,229,575 462,728 56.7301 0.668%
2040 69,713,937 34,258,307 35,455,630 451,500 57.1045 0.648%
2041 70,160,652 34,483,296 35,677,356 441,929 57.4704 0.63%
2042 70,595,132 34,701,284 35,893,848 427,031 57.8263 0.605%
2043 71,016,168 34,911,585 36,104,583 415,042 58.1712 0.584%
2044 71,423,671 35,114,175 36,309,496 399,965 58.505 0.56%
2045 71,816,201 35,308,361 36,507,840 385,094 58.8265 0.536%
2046 72,192,155 35,493,310 36,698,845 366,815 59.1345 0.508%
2047 72,551,392 35,669,040 36,882,352 351,659 59.4288 0.485%
2048 72,894,219 35,835,768 37,058,451 333,994 59.7096 0.458%
2049 73,220,860 35,993,592 37,227,267 319,287 59.9771 0.436%
2050 73,529,753 36,141,744 37,388,009 298,500 60.2302 0.406%
2051 73,819,238 36,279,444 37,539,794 280,470 60.4673 0.38%
2052 74,089,701 36,406,853 37,682,848 260,456 60.6888 0.352%
2053 74,342,981 36,525,014 37,817,968 246,104 60.8963 0.331%
2054 74,580,110 36,634,476 37,945,634 228,155 61.0905 0.306%
2055 74,799,050 36,734,280 38,064,770 209,725 61.2699 0.28%
2056 75,001,120 36,825,247 38,175,872 194,414 61.4354 0.259%
2057 75,188,808 36,908,511 38,280,298 180,963 61.5891 0.241%
2058 75,362,119 36,984,183 38,377,936 165,658 61.7311 0.22%
2059 75,520,304 37,052,052 38,468,252 150,712 61.8607 0.2%
2060 75,663,198 37,111,931 38,551,268 135,076 61.9777 0.179%
2061 75,793,041 37,165,033 38,628,007 124,609 62.0841 0.164%
2062 75,912,773 37,212,963 38,699,810 114,856 62.1821 0.151%
2063 76,022,453 37,255,923 38,766,530 104,504 62.272 0.137%
2064 76,120,998 37,293,564 38,827,435 92,587 62.3527 0.122%
2065 76,208,045 37,325,753 38,882,293 81,507 62.424 0.107%
2066 76,283,732 37,352,462 38,931,270 69,867 62.486 0.092%
2067 76,351,934 37,375,615 38,976,319 66,536 62.5419 0.087%
2068 76,412,770 37,395,488 39,017,283 55,137 62.5917 0.072%
2069 76,462,114 37,410,044 39,052,070 43,550 62.6321 0.057%
2070 76,502,155 37,420,516 39,081,639 36,533 62.6649 0.048%
2071 76,536,239 37,428,732 39,107,507 31,635 62.6928 0.041%
2072 76,563,061 37,433,958 39,129,103 22,009 62.7148 0.029%
2073 76,578,860 37,434,249 39,144,611 9,588 62.7278 0.013%
2074 76,584,112 37,430,038 39,154,074 915 62.7321 0.001%
2075 76,579,882 37,421,842 39,158,040 -9,375 62.7286 -0.012%
2076 76,567,382 37,410,146 39,157,236 -15,625 62.7184 -0.02%
2077 76,548,374 37,395,933 39,152,441 -22,391 62.7028 -0.029%
2078 76,522,764 37,378,940 39,143,825 -28,828 62.6818 -0.038%
2079 76,488,404 37,357,954 39,130,450 -39,893 62.6537 -0.052%
2080 76,445,383 37,333,024 39,112,359 -46,148 62.6184 -0.06%
2081 76,396,515 37,305,405 39,091,110 -51,589 62.5784 -0.068%
2082 76,341,015 37,274,690 39,066,324 -59,411 62.5329 -0.078%
2083 76,280,819 37,241,991 39,038,828 -60,980 62.4836 -0.08%
2084 76,216,708 37,207,606 39,009,102 -67,241 62.4311 -0.088%
2085 76,146,535 37,170,377 38,976,158 -73,106 62.3736 -0.096%
2086 76,071,992 37,130,964 38,941,027 -75,981 62.3126 -0.1%
2087 75,994,768 37,090,290 38,904,478 -78,467 62.2493 -0.103%
2088 75,913,621 37,047,863 38,865,759 -83,825 62.1828 -0.11%
2089 75,827,380 37,002,982 38,824,398 -88,657 62.1122 -0.117%
2090 75,736,556 36,956,008 38,780,548 -92,993 62.0378 -0.123%
2091 75,640,985 36,906,961 38,734,024 -98,148 61.9595 -0.13%
2092 75,538,822 36,855,070 38,683,752 -106,178 61.8758 -0.141%
2093 75,431,324 36,800,986 38,630,338 -108,819 61.7878 -0.144%
2094 75,319,878 36,745,283 38,574,594 -114,073 61.6965 -0.151%
2095 75,203,788 36,687,732 38,516,056 -118,106 61.6014 -0.157%
2096 75,084,182 36,629,062 38,455,120 -121,106 61.5034 -0.161%
2097 74,959,932 36,568,796 38,391,136 -127,394 61.4016 -0.17%
2098 74,830,455 36,506,778 38,323,676 -131,560 61.2956 -0.176%
2099 74,697,591 36,443,937 38,253,654 -134,168 61.1868 -0.18%
2100 74,559,590 36,379,297 38,180,293 -141,835 61.0737 -0.19%

Population Density of South Africa

Today, South Africa has a population density of 49.4871 people per square kilometer. The country has seen a change in density from 10.6846 people/km² since the 1950 to 49.4871 people/km² in 2023. In the future, South Africa is projected to reach a population density of 61.0737 people per square kilometer, by the year 2100.

Population Density of South Africa Between 1950 - 2100

View Detailed Population Density Data for South Africa

Growth Rate of South Africa's Population

The population growth rate of South Africa currently stands at 0.905% as of July 1, 2023. This is an increase by 0.08 percentage points when compared to data from previous year. By 2023, the population growth rate of South Africa will decrease to 0.905%. If we look further into the future, we can see that South Africa's population growth is projected to land at a negative rate of -0.19% by the year 2100.

Population Growth Rate of South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Growth Rate
1950 2.087%
1960 2.658%
1970 2.985%
1980 2.625%
1990 2.884%
2000 0.882%
2010 1.233%
2020 1.142%
Year Growth Rate
2030 0.864%
2040 0.648%
2050 0.406%
2060 0.179%
2070 0.048%
2080 -0.06%
2090 -0.123%
2100 -0.19%
View Detailed Population Growth Rate Data for South Africa

Life Expectancy of South Africa

Today, South Africa has an average life expectancy of 62.8874 years of age. The country has seen a change in life expectancy from 43.4715 years since the 1950 to 62.8874 years in 2023. In the future, South Africa is projected to reach a population life expectancy of 76.4271 years of age, by the year 2100.

Life Expectancy of South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Life Expectancy (Age)
1950 43,471
1960 52,668
1970 55,578
1980 59,812
1990 63,375
2000 58,470
2010 58,898
2020 65,252
Year Life Expectancy (Age)
2030 67,623
2040 68,815
2050 69,995
2060 71,190
2070 72,447
2080 73,727
2090 75,056
2100 76,427
View Detailed Life Expectancy Data for South Africa

Migration to and from South Africa

In 2023 South Africa will see net migrations of 58,496 people. This means that 58,496 more people will immigrate to South Africa than emigrate from the country this year. A decrease of net migrations when compared to the previous year of 2022, when the net migrations of South Africa was 58,496.

Net Migration for South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Net Migration
1950 8,754
1960 18,909
1970 61,524
1980 52,736
1990 231,224
2000 -80,388
2010 68,599
2020 30,852
Year Net Migration
2030 58,496
2040 58,496
2050 58,496
2060 58,496
2070 58,496
2080 58,496
2090 58,496
2100 58,496
View Detailed Migration Data for South Africa

Births in South Africa

In 2023, South Africa will see 1,140,735 babies be born. That is a decrease when compared to the ammount of births recorded by South Africa in 2022, when the country saw 1,155,858 new borns.

Births South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Births
1950 543,143
1960 652,630
1970 879,696
1980 1,009,518
1990 1,238,045
2000 969,828
2010 1,152,671
2020 1,194,619
Year Births
2030 1,082,293
2040 1,085,512
2050 1,042,195
2060 972,383
2070 936,803
2080 886,676
2090 835,926
2100 789,256
View Detailed Birth Data for South Africa

Deaths in South Africa

In 2023, 652,181 people will die in South Africa. That is a decrease of South Africa's death count when compared to 2022, when the country recorded 720,175 deaths.

Deaths South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Deaths
1950 279,631
1960 232,405
1970 273,496
1980 288,820
1990 319,227
2000 476,555
2010 582,529
2020 553,914
Year Births
2030 582,144
2040 692,515
2050 802,188
2060 895,806
2070 958,765
2080 991,317
2090 987,415
2100 989,584
View Detailed Death Data for South Africa

Median Age in South Africa

The median age of South Africa has been on an upward trend since the 1950's and it will continue well into the future. When the median age of South Africa will reach 40.835 years of age, by the year 2100.

Median Age in South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Median Age
1950 19.2201
1960 17.7143
1970 17.8049
1980 19.2074
1990 19.9569
2000 20.905
2010 23.5976
2020 26.9097
Year Median Age
2030 28.9575
2040 30.6986
2050 33.0686
2060 35.2541
2070 36.7505
2080 38.1142
2090 39.5745
2100 40.835
View Detailed Median Age Data for South Africa

Fertility Rate in South Africa

The fertility rate of South Africa has been on a downward trend since the 1950's and it will continue well into the future. When the total fertility rate of South Africa will reach 1.718 births per woman, by the year 2100.

Fertility Rate in South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Total Fertility Rate (births per woman)
1950 6.0805
1960 6.1591
1970 5.6344
1980 4.7796
1990 3.7243
2000 2.4135
2010 2.4448
2020 2.4008
Year Total Fertility Rate (births per woman)
2030 2.1644
2040 2.0238
2050 1.9306
2060 1.8474
2070 1.8071
2080 1.7717
2090 1.7498
2100 1.718
View Detailed Fertility Rate Data for South Africa

Infant Mortality Rate in South Africa

The infant mortality rate is recorded as infant deaths under 1 year for every 1,000 live births. It gives us an insight into the maternal and infant health of South Africa while at the same time being an important marker for the overall health of the country. The infant mortality rate of South Africa has been on a positive downward trend since the 1950's when the infant mortality rate of the country was 143.7395. Today, South Africa has a much better infant mortality rate of 26.7669 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. This is set to improve even further in the future when South Africa is projected to record an infant mortality rate of only 3.2432 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births, by the year 2100.

Infant Mortality Rate in South Africa Between 1950 - 2100 (10 Year Increments)

Year Infant Mortality Rate
1950 143.7395
1960 97.0212
1970 84.7998
1980 68.6571
1990 46.9091
2000 45.7711
2010 35.1288
2020 21.0861
Year Infant Mortality Rate
2030 18.8766
2040 15.5358
2050 12.3115
2060 9.5976
2070 7.2766
2080 5.4756
2090 4.2565
2100 3.2432
View Detailed Infant Mortality Rate Data for South Africa

Data Information

Data found on this page is based on the medium fertility variant of the United Nations Revision of World Population Prospects 2022.

Data Sources

The United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Population Division)

UN Revision of World Population Prospects 2022

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