South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: White data was reported at 2,978.591 Person th in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,987.055 Person th for Jun 2018. South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: White data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,143.298 Person th from Mar 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,277.317 Person th in Mar 2008 and a record low of 2,978.591 Person th in Sep 2018. South Africa Population: 15 to 64 Years: White data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G001: Population.

East Africa is one of the fastest urbanizing areas in the whole continent. From 2000 to 2018, urbanization in the region grew by 4.5 percent. Uganda and Burundi had the fastest urban growth rates, at six and 5.7 percent, respectively. In contrast, Djibouti's urban population expanded by 1.6 percent. Even though, the country was still the most urbanized in East Africa, with a share of close to 78 percent of urban population, in 2018.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 30 to 34 Years data was reported at 2,281,671.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,208,498.111 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 30 to 34 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,583,319.067 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,281,671.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 1,114,709.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 30 to 34 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

As of 2018, 34.5 percent of the South African population were children aged 17 years and younger. Of those, the majority were in the youngest age group of six years and younger. Moreover, children between seven and 13 years represented 13.4 percent of the total population.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 0 to 4 Years data was reported at 2,563,829.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,532,777.370 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 0 to 4 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 2,414,415.947 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,563,829.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 1,962,336.589 Person in 2002. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 0 to 4 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

As of 2018, more than 60 million people were living in urban areas in East Africa. Ethiopia was the country with the largest urban residents in the region, in terms of absolute numbers, roughly 23 million. In its turn, in Djibouti, 760 thousand people lived in urban areas by the same period. Even though, the country was the most urbanized in East Africa, with a share of 78 percent of urban population, in 2018.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: 0 to 4 Years data was reported at 5,129,661.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,050,047.280 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: 0 to 4 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 4,830,282.682 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,129,661.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 3,925,989.078 Person in 2002. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: 0 to 4 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

Abstract

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) is a household-based sample survey conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). It collects data on the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 years or older who live in South Africa.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Individuals

Universe

The QLFS sample covers the non-institutional population of South Africa with one exception. The only institutional subpopulation included in the QLFS sample are individuals in worker's hostels. Persons living in private dwelling units within institutions are also enumerated. For example, within a school compound, one would enumerate the schoolmaster's house and teachers' accommodation because these are private dwellings. Students living in a dormitory on the school compound would, however, be excluded.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) uses a master sample frame which has been developed as a general-purpose household survey frame that can be used by all other Stats SA household surveys that have reasonably compatible design requirement as the QLFS. The 2013 master sample is based on information collected during the 2011 population Census conducted by Stats SA. In preparation for Census 2011, the country was divided into 103 576 enumeration areas (EAs). The census EAs, together with the auxiliary information for the EAs were used as the frame units or building blocks for the formation of primary sampling units (PSUs) for the master sample since they covered the entire country and had other information that is crucial for stratification and creation of PSUs. There are 3 324 primary sampling units (PSUs) in the master sample with an expected sample of approximately 33 000 dwelling units (DUs). The number of PSUs in the current master sample (3 324) reflects an 8,0% increase in the size of the master sample compared to the previous (2007) master sample (which had 3 080 PSUs). The larger master sample of PSUs was selected to improve the precision (smaller CVs) of the QLFS estimates.

The master sample is designed to be representative at provincial level and within provinces at metro/non-metro levels. Within the metros, the sample is further distributed by geographical type. The three geography types are:urban, tribal and farms. This implies, for example, that within a metropolitan area, the sample is representative of the different geography types that may exist within that metro. It is divided equally into four sub-groups or panels called rotation groups. The rotation groups are designed in such a way that each of these groups has the same distribution pattern as that which is observed in the whole sample. They are numbered from one (1) to four (4) and these numbers also correspond to the quarters of the year in which the sample will be rotated for the particular group.

There are a number of aspects in which the 2013 version of the master sample differs from the 2007 version. In particular, the number of primary sample units increased. Mining strata were also introduced which serves to improve the efficiency of estimates relating to employment in mining. The number of geo-types was reduced from 4 to 3 while the new master sample allows for the publication of estimates of the labour market at metro level. The master sample was also adjusted Given the change in the provincial distribution of the South African population between 2001 and 2011. There was also an 8% increase in the sample size of the master sample of PSUs to improve the precision of the QLFS estimates. The sample size increased most notable in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. For more details on the differences between the two master samples please consult the section 8 (technical notes) of the QLFS 2015 Q3 release document (P0211).

From the master sample frame, the QLFS takes draws exmploying a stratified two-stage design with probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling of PSUs in the first stage, and sampling of dwelling units (DUs) with systematic sampling in the second stage. The primary stratification occurred at provincial, metro/non-metro, mining and geography type while the secondary strata were created within the primary strata based on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population.

For each quarter of the QLFS, a ¼ of the sampled dwellings is rotated out of the sample. These dwellings are replaced by new dwellings from the same PSU or the next PSU on the list. Thus, sampled dwellings are expected to remain in the sample for four consecutive quarters. It should be noted that the sampling unit is the dwelling, and the unit of observation is the household. Therefore, if a household moves out of a dwelling after being in the sample for, two quarters and a new household moves in, the new household will be enumerated for the next two quarters. If no household moves into the sampled dwelling, the dwelling will be classified as vacant (or unoccupied).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2025, the country counted over 237.5 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 135.5 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 118.4 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranked seventh, while Mauritius had the highest population density on the whole African continent in 2023. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Chad, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Central African Republic, the population increase peaks at over 3.4 percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. African cities are also growing at large rates. Indeed, the continent has three megacities and is expected to add four more by 2050. Furthermore, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria, by 2035.

This statistic shows the total population of Sub-Saharan Africa from 2014 to 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa includes all countries south of the Sahara desert. In 2024, the total population of Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to approximately 1.29 billion inhabitants.

As of 2018, the share of children in south Africa who stayed with a mother in the household was significantly higher than children staying in households with their biological father across all population groups. However, the gap was largest among the Black African population, where the share of children living with their father was as low as 31.7 percent, compared to the 74 percent for mothers in households. The story was different among Indian/Asian and White population with a higher share of the children living with their biological parents.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male data was reported at 22,786,240.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 22,311,446.995 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 19,435,489.800 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22,786,240.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 16,692,416.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

In 2018, roughly 23 percent of the population in East Africa were living in urban areas. The most urbanized country was Djibouti (78 percent), while Burundi was the least urbanized (13 percent). In absolute numbers, Ethiopia had the largest number of urban residents, approximately 23 million.

In 2018, around 58 percent of the urban population in East Africa lived in slums. The share was higher in South Sudan, where nearly the entire amount of urban residents (91.4 percent) were living in slums. Rwanda and Kenya were the countries with the lowest share of slum population, 42.1 and 46.5 percent, respectively.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Female: 35 to 39 Years data was reported at 1,770,140.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,723,388.227 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Female: 35 to 39 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,262,796.723 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,770,140.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 1,055,631.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Female: 35 to 39 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: Indian and Asian: 20 to 24 Years data was reported at 103,662.000 Person in 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 105,703.736 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Indian and Asian: 20 to 24 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 111,125.991 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114,481.589 Person in 2006 and a record low of 103,662.000 Person in 2018. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Indian and Asian: 20 to 24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 45 to 49 Years data was reported at 1,032,933.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 990,750.913 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 45 to 49 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 817,513.595 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,032,933.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 627,842.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 45 to 49 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: Eastern Cape: 20 to 24 Years data was reported at 531,545.000 Person in 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 568,062.743 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Eastern Cape: 20 to 24 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 620,146.947 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 671,734.772 Person in 2009 and a record low of 482,541.064 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: Eastern Cape: 20 to 24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G004: Population: Mid Year: by Province, Age and Sex.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data was reported at 105,238.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 95,344.570 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 78,333.668 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105,238.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 55,969.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: White: Male: 70 to 74 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.

South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 40 to 44 Years data was reported at 1,372,353.000 Person in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,351,247.470 Person for 2017. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 40 to 44 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 953,047.485 Person from Jun 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,372,353.000 Person in 2018 and a record low of 783,959.000 Person in 2001. South Africa Population: Mid Year: African: Male: 40 to 44 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics South Africa. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.G003: Population: Mid Year: by Group, Age and Sex.