Demographics of South Africa

Demographics of South Africa
South Africa population pyramid in 2020
Population63 million (2024 est.)
Density48.1/km2 (125/sq mi)
Growth rate1.33%:12
Birth rate19.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.):7
Death rate8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.):7
Life expectancy66.5 years (2024 est.):8
  male63.6 years (2024 est.):8
  female69.2 years (2024 est.):8
Fertility rate2.41 children born/woman (2024 est.):4
Infant mortality rate22.9 deaths/1,000 (2024 est.):8
Age structure
0–14 years28.8% (2019 est.)
15–64 years65.2% (2019 est.)
65 and over6% (2019 est.)
Sex ratio
Total0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
At birth1.02 male(s)/female
Under 151 male(s)/female
15–64 years1.02 male(s)/female
65 and over0.68 male(s)/female
Nationality
NationalitySouth African
Major ethnic
Minor ethnic
Language
OfficialAfrikaans · English · Xhosa · Sotho, Pedi · Zulu · Tswana · Swazi · Venda · Tsonga · Southern Ndebele
SpokenLanguages of South Africa

According to the 2022 census, the population of South Africa is about 62 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions, with a majority being Black Africans. The South African National Census of 2022 was the most recent census held; the next will be in 2032.

In 2011, Statistics South Africa counted 2.1 million foreigners in total. Reports suggest that is an underestimation. The real figure may be as high as five million, including some three million Zimbabweans.