Which has higher population, South Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa?

Sub-Saharan Africa, at 875,918 against 51,011 in South Africa as of 2030.

What is the difference in population between South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?

824,907, with Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.

How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?

41 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2030.

Where does this data come from?

International Labour Organization, published as Population (UN estimates and projections). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

South Africa vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Population

South Africa

51,011

in 2030

Sub-Saharan Africa

875,918

in 2030

South Africa rank

24th

Sub-Saharan Africa rank

21st

Population over time

South Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa

How they compare

Sub-Saharan Africa currently reports 875,918 against 51,011 in South Africa, a difference of 824,907.

That makes Sub-Saharan Africa's figure about 17.2 times South Africa's.

Across all 41 years both countries report, Sub-Saharan Africa has been ahead every year.

South Africa ranks 24th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st of 188 countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	South Africa	Sub-Saharan Africa	Difference	Ahead
1990s	27,677	311,094	283,416	Sub-Saharan Africa
2000s	33,675	413,375	379,700	Sub-Saharan Africa
2010s	40,007	553,774	513,767	Sub-Saharan Africa
2020s	47,595	748,988	701,393	Sub-Saharan Africa
2030s	51,011	875,918	824,907	Sub-Saharan Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher population, South Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa?: Sub-Saharan Africa, at 875,918 against 51,011 in South Africa as of 2030.
What is the difference in population between South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?: 824,907, with Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?: 41 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2030.
How do South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for population?: South Africa ranks 24th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st of 188 countries.
Where does this data come from?: International Labour Organization, published as Population (UN estimates and projections). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Population. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/compare/population-un-estimates-and-projections/south-africa/sub-saharan-africa/

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About this data

Indicator: Population (UN estimates and projections)
Source: International Labour Organization
Licence: ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage: 280 places, 11,480 data points, 1990–2030
Last refreshed: 05 September 2026

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. The total population comprises persons of all ages who were living in the country during the reference period, regardless of residency status or citizenship. The source for the population figures used is the United Nations' World Population Prospects. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.