South Africa Population (LIVE)
- The current population of South Africa is 65,718,904 as of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, based on Worldometer's elaboration of the latest United Nations data1.
- South Africa 2026 population is estimated at 65,453,084 people at mid-year.
- South Africa population is equivalent to 0.79% of the total world population .
- South Africa ranks number 24 in the list of countries and other entities by population .
- The population density in South Africa is 54 per km² (140 people per mi²).
- The total land area is 1,214,470 km² (468,909 sq. miles).
- 64.0% of the population is urban (41,859,196 people in 2026)
- The median age in South Africa is 28.9 years .
Population of South Africa (2026 and historical)
| Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country's Share of World Pop | World Population | South Africa Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 65,453,084 | +1.09% | 705,765 | 131,684 | 28.9 | 2.17 | 54 | 64.0% | 41,859,196 | 0.79% | 8,300,678,396 | 24 |
| 2025 | 64,747,319 | +1.16% | 740,132 | 146,370 | 28.7 | 2.19 | 53 | 63.8% | 41,318,761 | 0.79% | 8,231,613,070 | 24 |
| 2024 | 64,007,187 | +1.26% | 794,803 | 166,972 | 28.5 | 2.21 | 53 | 63.7% | 40,767,329 | 0.78% | 8,161,972,572 | 24 |
| 2023 | 63,212,384 | +1.34% | 833,974 | 228,222 | 28.2 | 2.22 | 52 | 63.6% | 40,191,932 | 0.78% | 8,091,734,930 | 24 |
| 2022 | 62,378,410 | +1.42% | 875,807 | 233,284 | 27.9 | 2.23 | 51 | 63.5% | 39,595,737 | 0.78% | 8,021,407,192 | 24 |
| 2021 | 61,502,603 | +1.55% | 940,222 | 458,246 | 27.6 | 2.25 | 51 | 63.5% | 39,023,643 | 0.77% | 7,954,448,392 | 24 |
| 2020 | 60,562,381 | +1.32% | 767,769 | 369,901 | 27.3 | 2.26 | 50 | 63.4% | 38,419,145 | 0.77% | 7,887,001,292 | 24 |
| 2015 | 56,723,537 | +1.62% | 875,897 | 641,150 | 25.4 | 2.36 | 47 | 63.2% | 35,854,741 | 0.76% | 7,470,491,872 | 24 |
| 2010 | 52,344,051 | +1.13% | 570,804 | 68,563 | 23.6 | 2.44 | 43 | 62.6% | 32,783,033 | 0.75% | 7,021,732,148 | 24 |
| 2005 | 49,490,032 | +0.97% | 466,063 | 31,286 | 22.1 | 2.51 | 41 | 59.8% | 29,607,004 | 0.75% | 6,586,970,132 | 24 |
| 2000 | 47,159,719 | +1.15% | 523,633 | −136,794 | 20.8 | 2.41 | 39 | 56.3% | 26,531,584 | 0.76% | 6,171,702,994 | 25 |
| 1995 | 44,541,554 | +1.80% | 759,057 | −98,403 | 20.5 | 3.17 | 37 | 53.3% | 23,738,963 | 0.77% | 5,758,878,982 | 25 |
| 1990 | 40,746,268 | +3.06% | 1,140,835 | 259,718 | 20.3 | 3.72 | 34 | 52.0% | 21,175,017 | 0.76% | 5,327,803,110 | 25 |
| 1985 | 35,042,093 | +3.49% | 1,104,647 | 244,940 | 19.4 | 4.50 | 29 | 49.2% | 17,240,710 | 0.72% | 4,868,943,466 | 28 |
| 1980 | 29,518,857 | +2.82% | 765,583 | 258,127 | 18.4 | 4.78 | 24 | 48.4% | 14,287,127 | 0.66% | 4,447,606,236 | 28 |
| 1975 | 25,690,940 | +2.89% | 682,191 | 38,809 | 17.9 | 5.19 | 21 | 48.1% | 12,348,934 | 0.63% | 4,070,735,278 | 29 |
| 1970 | 22,279,984 | +3.14% | 638,121 | 61,514 | 17.7 | 5.63 | 18 | 47.8% | 10,644,784 | 0.60% | 3,694,683,794 | 29 |
| 1965 | 19,089,380 | +3.03% | 529,842 | 82,514 | 17.8 | 5.89 | 16 | 47.4% | 9,040,594 | 0.57% | 3,334,533,703 | 30 |
| 1960 | 16,440,172 | +2.50% | 381,361 | 18,891 | 17.9 | 6.11 | 14 | 46.7% | 7,676,362 | 0.55% | 3,015,470,894 | 31 |
| 1955 | 14,533,366 | +2.19% | 298,975 | −2,747 | 18.6 | 6.13 | 12 | 44.9% | 6,528,353 | 0.53% | 2,740,213,792 | 31 |
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . (Medium-fertility variant).
South Africa Population Forecast
| Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country's Share of World Pop | World Population | South Africa Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 68,161,359 | +1.03% | 682,808 | 141,259 | 29.6 | 2.10 | 56 | 64.6% | 44,058,804 | 0.80% | 8,569,124,911 | 23 |
| 2035 | 71,234,752 | +0.89% | 614,679 | 160,676 | 30.2 | 2.04 | 59 | 65.8% | 46,862,953 | 0.80% | 8,885,210,181 | 22 |
| 2040 | 74,035,624 | +0.77% | 560,174 | 158,149 | 31.0 | 1.98 | 61 | 67.2% | 49,776,488 | 0.81% | 9,177,190,203 | 22 |
| 2045 | 76,681,450 | +0.70% | 529,165 | 163,729 | 31.8 | 1.94 | 63 | 69.0% | 52,874,364 | 0.81% | 9,439,639,668 | 24 |
| 2050 | 79,177,328 | +0.64% | 499,176 | 178,382 | 32.3 | 1.89 | 65 | 70.9% | 56,153,950 | 0.82% | 9,664,378,587 | 23 |
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . (Medium-fertility variant).
South Africa Demographics (2026)
(life expectancy at birth, both sexes)
(infant deaths per 1,000 live births)
(per 1,000 live births)
Largest Urban Areas in South Africa
The 70 largest of 219 urban areas, ranked by population at the census of October 9, 2011 (by Statistics South Africa). An urban area is a continuous built-up area, which can span several municipalities.
| Rank | Urban Area | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JohannesburgWitwatersrand | 7,860,781 |
| 2 | Cape Townincl. Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha, Bellville | 3,430,992 |
| 3 | Durbanincl. Umlazi, Chatsworth, Kwa-Mashu, Pinetown | 2,786,046 |
| 4 | Pretoriaincl. Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Centurion, Akasia | 1,763,336 |
| 5 | Port Elizabethincl. Ibhayi, Bethelsdorp, Motherwell | 876,436 |
| 6 | Soshanguve- Mabopane - Ga-Rankuwa - Winterveldt | 728,063 |
| 7 | Evaton- Sebokeng - Orange Farm | 605,504 |
| 8 | Pietermaritzburgincl. Edendale, Imbali, Mkondeni | 475,238 |
| 9 | Bloemfontein- Mangaung | 464,591 |
| 10 | Vereeniging- Vanderbijlpark - Sharpeville - Meyerton | 377,922 |
| 11 | Rustenburg- Tlhabane - Meriting | 311,901 |
| 12 | Witbank- KwaGuqa | 311,657 |
| 13 | East London | 295,644 |
| 14 | Newcastle- Madadeni - Osizweni | 291,484 |
| 15 | Uitenhage- Kwanobuhle - Despatch | 242,924 |
| 16 | Polokwane- Seshego | 227,407 |
| 17 | Kimberley- Galeshewe | 225,155 |
| 18 | Welkom- Thabong | 211,014 |
| 19 | Paarl- Wellington | 197,735 |
| 20 | Klerksdorp- Jouberton | 189,496 |
| 21 | Somerset West- Strand - Nomzano | 188,035 |
| 22 | Botshabelo | 181,712 |
| 23 | Mdantsane- Potsdam | 171,522 |
| 24 | Middelburg- Mhluzi | 163,809 |
| 25 | George- Thembalethu | 157,397 |
| 26 | Carletonville- Khutsong - Wedela | 149,065 |
| 27 | Potchefstroom- Ikageng | 148,804 |
| 28 | Mthatha | 137,589 |
| 29 | KwaDukuza | 134,525 |
| 30 | Ladysmith- Ezakheni | 119,726 |
| 31 | Embalenhle | 118,889 |
| 32 | Sasolburg- Zamdela | 113,368 |
| 33 | Queenstown- Mlungisi - Ezibeleni | 98,988 |
| 34 | Kroonstad- Maokeng | 97,780 |
| 35 | Worcester- Zweletemba | 97,075 |
| 36 | Tweefontein- Somaroboro | 95,457 |
| 37 | Hammanskraal- Temba - Kudube | 94,273 |
| 38 | Orkney- Kanana | 91,854 |
| 39 | Thohoyandou | 89,427 |
| 40 | Standerton- Sakhile | 84,383 |
| 41 | Ermelo- Wesselton | 83,735 |
| 42 | Stellenbosch- Khayamandi | 80,316 |
| 43 | King William's Town- Bisho - Zwelitsha | 77,682 |
| 44 | Bethlehem- Bohlokong | 76,015 |
| 45 | Mokopane- Mahwelereng | 75,516 |
| 46 | Heidelberg- Ratanda | 71,661 |
| 47 | Atlantis | 69,055 |
| 48 | Upington- Paballelo | 67,581 |
| 49 | Grahamstown- Rhini | 67,264 |
| 50 | Virginia- Meloding | 66,208 |
| 51 | Mossel Bay- Kwanonqaba - Hartenbos - Dana Bay | 65,887 |
| 52 | Brits- Oukasie - Mothutlung | 65,113 |
| 53 | Mafikeng- Mmabatho | 64,359 |
| 54 | Stilfontein- Khuma | 63,836 |
| 55 | Odendaalsrus- Kutlwanong | 63,743 |
| 56 | Mpumalanga | 62,406 |
| 57 | Oudtshoorn- Bongelethu | 61,508 |
| 58 | Bethal- Emzinoni | 60,780 |
| 59 | Thaba Nchu | 60,696 |
| 60 | Mbombela | 58,670 |
| 61 | Piet Retief- Ethandakukhanya | 57,428 |
| 62 | Phuthaditjhaba | 56,251 |
| 63 | Tongaat- Hambanathi | 54,109 |
| 64 | Delmas- Botleng | 52,125 |
| 65 | Kokstad- Bhongweni | 51,540 |
| 66 | Richards Bay | 50,533 |
| 67 | Knysna | 50,029 |
| 68 | Barberton- Emjindini | 48,505 |
| 69 | Ekangala | 48,492 |
| 70 | Parys- Tumahole | 48,169 |
See also
- Demographics of South Africa
- Median Age (Historical Chart)
- Total Fertility Rate (Historical Chart)
- Urban vs. Rural Population (Historical Chart)
Notes
The South Africa Population (Live) counter shows a continuously updated estimate of the current population of South Africa delivered by Worldometer's RTS algorithm , which processes data collected from the United Nations Population Division.
The Population of South Africa (1950 - 2026) chart plots the total population count as of July 1 of each year, from 1950 to 2026.
The Yearly Population Growth Rate chart plots the annual percentage changes in population registered on July 1 of each year, from 1951 to 2026. For years before 2021, this value can differ from the Yearly % Change shown in the historical table, which shows the annual percentage change equivalent assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five year period.
Definitions
Year: as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Population: Overall total population (both sexes and all ages) in the country as of July 1 of the year indicated, as estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . For forecasted years, the U.N. medium-fertility variant is used.
Yearly % Change: For 2021 to 2026: percentage change in total population over the year before (from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the year indicated). For earlier years and for forecast years: latest year annual percentage change equivalent assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five year period, calculated through reverse compounding.
Yearly Change: For 2021 to 2026: absolute change in total population (increase or decrease in number of people) over the year before (from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the year indicated). For earlier years and for forecast years: average annual numerical change over the preceding five year period.
Migrants (net): The number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants in the year indicated. A negative number means that there are more emigrants than immigrants.
Median Age: age that divides the population into two numerically equal groups: half of the people are older than the median age indicated and half are younger. This parameter provides an indication of age distribution.
Fertility Rate: (Total Fertility Rate, or TFR), it is expressed as children per woman. It is calculated as the average number of children an average woman will have during her reproductive period (15 to 49 years old) based on the current fertility rates of every age group in the country, and assuming she is not subject to mortality.
Density (P/km²): (Population Density) Population per square Kilometer (km²).
Urban Pop % : Urban population as a percentage of total population.
Urban Population: Population living in areas classified as urban according to the criteria used by each country.
Country's Share of World Pop: Total population in the country as a percentage of total World Population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
World Population: Total World Population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Global Rank: Position held by South Africa in the list of all countries worldwide ranked by population (from the highest population to the lowest population) as of July 1 of the year indicated.