World StatisticsHome › Countries › South Africa
South Africa: Population, 1990–2025
Value in 202564,747,319
Change since 2015+14.1%56,723,537 (2015)
World rank24 / 2172025
Rank in region5 / 48Sub-Saharan Africa
World8,215,424,893World Bank aggregate
Trend and comparison
Neighbours in the 2025 ranking
71,619,863
70,545,865
69,487,000
68,720,337
64,747,319
58,915,656
57,532,493
54,850,648
53,425,635
Values and rank by year
| Year | Population | vs prior year | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64,747,319 | +1.2% | 24 / 217 |
| 2024 | 64,007,187 | +1.3% | 24 / 217 |
| 2023 | 63,212,384 | +1.3% | 24 / 217 |
| 2022 | 62,378,410 | +1.4% | 24 / 217 |
| 2021 | 61,502,603 | +1.6% | 24 / 217 |
| 2020 | 60,562,381 | +1.6% | 24 / 217 |
| 2019 | 59,587,885 | +1.7% | 24 / 217 |
| 2018 | 58,613,001 | +1.7% | 24 / 217 |
| 2017 | 57,635,162 | +0.7% | 24 / 217 |
| 2016 | 57,259,551 | +0.9% | 24 / 217 |
| 2015 | 56,723,537 | +2.0% | 24 / 217 |
| 2014 | 55,594,838 | +1.7% | 24 / 217 |
| 2013 | 54,678,791 | +1.7% | 24 / 217 |
| 2012 | 53,782,567 | +1.5% | 24 / 217 |
| 2011 | 52,995,205 | +1.2% | 24 / 217 |
| 2010 | 52,344,051 | +1.2% | 24 / 217 |
| 2009 | 51,728,516 | +1.2% | 24 / 217 |
| 2008 | 51,114,599 | +1.2% | 24 / 217 |
| 2007 | 50,528,584 | +1.1% | 24 / 217 |
| 2006 | 49,998,277 | +1.0% | 24 / 217 |
| 2005 | 49,490,033 | +1.0% | 24 / 217 |
| 2004 | 48,991,421 | +1.0% | 24 / 217 |
| 2003 | 48,500,348 | +1.0% | 24 / 217 |
| 2002 | 48,019,415 | +1.0% | 25 / 217 |
| 2001 | 47,566,800 | +0.9% | 25 / 217 |
| 2000 | 47,159,719 | +0.9% | 25 / 217 |
| 1999 | 46,730,335 | +1.1% | 25 / 217 |
| 1998 | 46,223,880 | +1.2% | 26 / 217 |
| 1997 | 45,666,838 | +1.2% | 26 / 217 |
| 1996 | 45,123,018 | +1.3% | 26 / 217 |
| 1995 | 44,541,554 | +1.2% | 25 / 217 |
| 1994 | 44,004,139 | +1.6% | 25 / 217 |
| 1993 | 43,297,156 | +2.0% | 25 / 217 |
| 1992 | 42,443,509 | +1.8% | 25 / 217 |
| 1991 | 41,687,898 | +2.3% | 25 / 217 |
| 1990 | 40,746,268 | – | 25 / 217 |
- GDP (current US$, billions)
- GDP per capita (current US$)
- GDP growth (annual %)
- Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)
- Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate)
- Life expectancy at birth (years)
- Fertility rate (births per woman)
- Population aged 65 and above (% of total)
- Urban population (% of total)
- Internet users (% of population)
- Surface area (km²)
- Population density (people per km² of land)
- Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Compare South Africa with Japan →
For each indicator and economy the most recent non-empty year is used, so years can differ between countries. Ranks compare only economies that have data. Aggregates (regions, income groups) are excluded from rankings; the world value is shown for reference. Values are as published by the World Bank and are revised several times a year.