Population (UN estimates and projections) in South Africa
South Africa: Population (UN estimates and projections) was 51,011 in 2030. ▲ Rising
Population in South Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 51,011 for population in 2030. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in South Africa peaked at 51,011 in 2030 and was at its lowest, 25,372, in 1990.
That places South Africa 24th out of 188 countries with data for 2030, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Population (UN estimates and projections) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25,372 | — |
| 1991 | 26,046 | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 26,499 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 27,167 | +2.5% |
| 1994 | 27,639 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 27,842 | +0.7% |
| 1996 | 28,186 | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 28,656 | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 29,337 | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 30,029 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 30,699 | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 31,376 | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 32,096 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 32,818 | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 33,496 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 34,114 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 34,692 | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 35,259 | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 35,825 | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 36,378 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 36,953 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 37,560 | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 38,238 | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 38,992 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 39,748 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 40,666 | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 41,040 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 41,345 | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 42,286 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 43,243 | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 44,211 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 45,135 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 45,960 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 46,724 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 47,440 | +1.5% |
| 2025 | 48,092 | +1.4% |
| 2026 | 48,712 | +1.3% |
| 2027 | 49,311 | +1.2% |
| 2028 | 49,900 | +1.2% |
| 2029 | 50,469 | +1.1% |
| 2030 | 51,011 | +1.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 51,011 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5,998, 8.5× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 51,011 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10,439, 4.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 27,677 | 25,372 | 30,029 | 10 |
| 2000s | 33,675 | 30,699 | 36,378 | 10 |
| 2010s | 40,007 | 36,953 | 43,243 | 10 |
| 2020s | 47,595 | 44,211 | 50,469 | 10 |
| 2030s | 51,011 | 51,011 | 51,011 | 1 |
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)
- 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)
- Age population, age 02, male, interpolated 588,323 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in South Africa?
- Population in South Africa was 51,011 in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51,011 in 2030.
- What is the lowest population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,372 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for population?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 188 countries with data for 2030.
- Is population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.4%. 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 Population (UN estimates and projections). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 41 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
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.