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South Africa Population

South Africa's population rose to 64.01 million in 2024, up from 63.21 million in 2023, according to World Bank. This represents an increase of 1.3% (794,803) from the previous year. South Africa has population higher than the global median (64.01 million vs median 6.75 million). Compared with the median in Africa, South Africa is higher (64.01 million vs regional median 14.61 million) and ranks 6th out of 54 countries in Africa.

South Africa's life expectancy rose to 66.14 years in 2023, up from 65.45 years in 2022.

Yearly Historical Data (1960-2024)

(in Million)
Year Population (Million)
2024 64.01
2023 63.21
2022 62.38
2021 61.5
2020 60.56
2019 59.59
2018 58.61
2017 57.64
2016 57.26
2015 56.72
2014 55.59
2013 54.68
2012 53.78
2011 53
2010 52.34
2009 51.73
2008 51.11
2007 50.53
2006 50
2005 49.49
2004 48.99
2003 48.5
2002 48.02
2001 47.57
2000 47.16
1999 46.73
1998 46.22
1997 45.67
1996 45.12
1995 44.54
1994 44
1993 43.3
1992 42.44
1991 41.69
1990 40.75
1989 39.63
1988 38.48
1987 37.33
1986 36.18
1985 35.04
1984 33.89
1983 32.74
1982 31.62
1981 30.54
1980 29.52
1979 28.63
1978 27.87
1977 27.12
1976 26.4
1975 25.69
1974 24.99
1973 24.29
1972 23.61
1971 22.94
1970 22.28
1969 21.61
1968 20.96
1967 20.31
1966 19.69
1965 19.09
1964 18.51
1963 17.95
1962 17.42
1961 16.91
1960 16.44
South Africa Population : Definition
Population measures the total number of people living in South Africa.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Adult Literacy Rate 90% 95% 2021
Happiness Index 5.21 points 5.42 points 2024
Homicide Rate 41.87 33.96 2021
Primary Enrollment Rate 96.1% 98.12% 2022