Child population (15-17) in South Africa
South Africa: Child population (15-17) was 3,192 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Child population in South Africa, 2010–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for child population in South Africa is 3,192, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and up 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child population in South Africa peaked at 3,284 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 3,043, in 2010.
That places South Africa 8th out of 43 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 13 years of available data.
Child population (15-17) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,043 | — |
| 2011 | 3,127 | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 3,122 | -0.1% |
| 2013 | 3,102 | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 3,093 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 3,086 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 3,112 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 3,076 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 3,206 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 3,239 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 3,284 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 3,257 | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 3,192 | -2.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3,192 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 676.33, 4.7× the median. (17 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3,192 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,323, 2.4× the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 3,095 | 3,043 | 3,127 | 8 |
| 2020s | 3,236 | 3,192 | 3,284 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More gender data for South Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 17,151 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6591 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 51,011 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 51,011 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 570,099 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 589,533 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 570,599 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 589,626 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 569,634 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child population in South Africa?
- Child population in South Africa was 3,192 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest child population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3,284 in 2022.
- What is the lowest child population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,043 in 2010.
- How does South Africa rank for child population?
- South Africa ranks 8th out of 43 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Child population (15-17). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
This indicator is based on harmonized definitions used by the ILO in the context of producing global estimates. Data may differ from nationally reported figures. This indicator refers to children ages 5-17 years old engaged in any form of market production and certain types of non-market production (principally that of goods such as agricultural produce for own use). This includes work in both the formal and informal economy, inside and outside family settings, for pay or profit (cash or in-kind, part-time or full-time) and domestic work outside the child's own household for an employer (paid or unpaid). For more information, refer to the Child Labour Statistics (CHILD) database description.