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.

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.

The total population of South Africa amounted to 63.02 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by 33.94 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by 5.86 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.

In South Africa, children aged up to four made up the largest age group: *** percent of males and *** percent of females. Similarly, people between 30 and 34 years old held the second-largest share of the population. On the other hand, people aged 60 years and older represented a small portion of the population.

As of 2023, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 62.3 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority inhabited Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western-Eastern Cape. Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province in South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of over 16 million people according to the estimates. Cape Town, on the other hand, is the largest city in South Africa with nearly 3.43 million inhabitants in the same year, whereas Durban counted 3.12 million citizens. However, looking at cities including municipalities, Johannesburg ranks first. High rate of young population South Africa has a substantial population of young people. In 2024, approximately 34.3 percent of the people were aged 19 years or younger. Those aged 60 or older, on the other hand, made-up over 10 percent of the total population. Distributing South African citizens by marital status, approximately half of the males and females were classified as single in 2021. Furthermore, 29.1 percent of the men were registered as married, whereas nearly 27 percent of the women walked down the aisle. Youth unemployment Youth unemployment fluctuated heavily between 2003 and 2022. In 2003, the unemployment rate stood at 36 percent, followed by a significant increase to 45.5 percent in 2010. However, it fluctuated again and as of 2022, over 51 percent of the youth were registered as unemployed. Furthermore, based on a survey conducted on the worries of South Africans, some 64 percent reported being worried about employment and the job market situation.

Key information about South Africa population

• The South Africa population reached 63.1 million people in Jun 2025, compared with the previously reported figure of 62.3 million people in Jun 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 63.1 million people in Jun 2025 and a record low of 16.4 million people in Jun 1960

*This indicator will be no longer available from March 2026, 4th onwards. CEIC has a plan to remove the non-standard frequency indicator after the standard frequency indicator has been added and be available on this table. CEIC extends history for annual Population. Statistics South Africa provides Mid-year Population. Population prior to 2001 is sourced from the World Bank.


Further information about South Africa population data

• In the latest reports, South Africa Unemployment Rate dropped to 31.9 % in Sep 2025
• Monthly earnings of the South Africa population was 1,589.0 USD in May 2025
• South Africa Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 59.7 % in Sep 2025

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa Population Density People Per Sq Km

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.

Rural population (% of total population) in South Africa was reported at 30.7 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa Population Growth Annual Percent

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa Population Ages 15 64 Percent Of Total

Yearly (annual) dataset of the South Africa Population, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1960-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 9.321 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.449 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.135 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.411 % in 2007 and a record low of 8.061 % in 1969. South Africa ZA: Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for South Africa (SPPOPGROWZAF) from 1961 to 2024 about South Africa, population, and rate.

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.

South Africa: Percent urban population: The latest value from 2024 is 69.3 percent, an increase from 68.82 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 61.70 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1960 to 2024 is 54.94 percent. The minimum value, 46.62 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 69.3 percent was recorded in 2024.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa Urban Population Percent Of Total

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for South Africa (SPPOP65UPTOZSZAF) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, South Africa, and population.

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for South Africa (SLEMPTOTLSPZSZAF) from 1991 to 2024 about employment-population ratio, South Africa, population, and employment.

Population, total in South Africa was reported at 64007187 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Population, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.