The total population in South Africa was estimated at 63.0 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - South Africa Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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 QLFS uses a master sampling frame that is used by several household surveys conducted by Statistics South Africa. This wave of the QLFS is based on the 2013 master frame, which was created based on the 2011 census. There are 3324 PSUs in the master frame and roughly 33 000 dwelling units.

The sample for the QLFS is based on 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.

For each quarter of the QLFS, a quarter of the sampled dwellings are rotated out of the sample. These dwellings are replaced by new dwellings from the same PSU or the next PSU on the list. For more information see the statistical release.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-Face and Computer Assisted Personal and Telephone Interview

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 Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three 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. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

As of 2024, South Africa's population increased, counting approximately 63 million inhabitants. Of these, roughly 27.5 million were aged 0-24, while 654,000 people were 80 years or older. Gauteng and Cape Town are the most populated South Africa’s yearly population growth has been fluctuating since 2013, with the growth rate dropping below the world average in 2024. The majority of people lived in the borders of Gauteng, the smallest of the nine provinces in terms of land area. The number of people residing there amounted to 16.6 million in 2023. Although the Western Cape was the third-largest province, the city of Cape Town had the highest number of inhabitants in the country, at 3.4 million. An underemployed younger population South Africa has a large population under 14, who will be looking for job opportunities in the future. However, the country's labor market has had difficulty integrating these youngsters. Specifically, as of the fourth quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate reached close to 60 percent and 384 percent among people aged 15-24 and 25–34 years, respectively. In the same period, some 27 percent of the individuals between 15 and 24 years were economically active, while the labor force participation rate was higher among people aged 25 to 34, at 74.3 percent.

There were 31 968 600 Facebook users in South Africa in June 2025, which accounted for 51.6% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 50.6%. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (9 800 000). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 25 to 34, where women lead by 4 800 000.

The total population of South Africa amounted to approximately 63.20 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by around 34.12 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by around 5.88 million people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Key information about South Africa population

• The South Africa population reached 63.0 million people in Jun 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 62.2 million people in Jun 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 63.0 million people in Jun 2024 and a record low of 16.4 million people in Jun 1960

• In the latest reports, South Africa Unemployment Rate dropped to 32.1 % in Sep 2024
• Monthly earnings of the South Africa population was 1,547.4 USD in Aug 2024
• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 60.2 % in Sep 2024

Graph and download economic data for U.S. Exports of Goods by F.A.S. Basis to South Africa (EXP7910) from Jan 1985 to May 2025 about South Africa, exports, goods, and USA.

There were 7 298 100 Instagram users in South Africa in June 2025, which accounted for 11.8% of its entire population. The majority of them were women - 56.6%. People aged 18 to 24 were the largest user group (2 700 000). The highest difference between men and women occurs within people aged 18 to 24, where women lead by 1 200 000.

Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Discover the latest eCommerce statistics in South Africa for 2025, including store count by category and platform, estimated sales amount by platform and category, products sold by platform and category, and total app spend by platform and category. Gain valuable insights into the retail landscape in South Africa, uncovering the distribution of stores across categories and platforms.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: From 15 to 24 Years for South Africa (LFWA24TTZAQ647S) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about 15 to 24 years, working-age, South Africa, and population.

In 2025, over 24.6 million people in Mozambique lived in extreme poverty (with less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day), the highest number within Southern Africa. The country also scored the highest share of its overall population living below the poverty line in the region. On the other hand, Botswana had the lowest number of just over 322,400 people living in impoverished conditions, accounting for 13 percent of the overall population.

There were 16 140 000 Linkedin users in South Africa in June 2025, which accounted for 26% of its entire population. People aged 25 to 34 were the largest user group (7 500 000).

Graph and download economic data for U.S. Imports of Goods by Customs Basis from South Africa (IMP7910) from Jan 1985 to May 2025 about South Africa, imports, goods, and USA.

As of 2022, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 60.6 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority (roughly 49.1 million) were Black Africans. Individuals with an Indian or Asian background formed the smallest population group, counting approximately 1.56 million people overall. Looking at the population from a regional perspective, Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province of South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of nearly 16 million people.

Increase in number of households

The total number of households increased annually between 2002 and 2022. Between this period, the number of households in South Africa grew by approximately 65 percent. Furthermore, households comprising two to three members were more common in urban areas (39.2 percent) than they were in rural areas (30.6 percent). Households with six or more people, on the other hand, amounted to 19.3 percent in rural areas, being roughly twice as common as those in urban areas.

Main sources of income

The majority of the households in South Africa had salaries or grants as a main source of income in 2019. Roughly 10.7 million drew their income from regular wages, whereas 7.9 million households received social grants paid by the government for citizens in need of state support.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Soshanguve, South Africa metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: From 15 to 24 Years for South Africa (LREM24TTZAQ156S) from Q1 2008 to Q1 2025 about 15 to 24 years, South Africa, employment-population ratio, employment, population, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Persons Outside the Labor Force Male: From 15 to 64 Years for South Africa (LFIN64MAZAQ647S) from Q3 2000 to Q1 2025 about South Africa, 15 to 64 years, males, labor force, and labor.

Apple Pay users in South Africa made up ***** percent of respondents in 2025, and were likely to come from a **** income. This is according to questions asked in Statista's Consumer Insights, focusing on what payment services consumers used in the past 12 months. The typical user profile of an Apple Pay user in South Africa was that they were ******, were ********************, and fell in the ******* quantile in terms of income.