South Africa vs Nigeria: Population Comparison 2025
Contrasting African development models. South Africa's middle-income trap vs Nigeria's youth dividend.
South Africa
Nigeria
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
South Africa
64.7M
Nigeria
237.5M
Youth (0-14)
South Africa
25.7%
Nigeria
40.5%
Elderly (65+)
South Africa
6.9%
Nigeria
3.1%
Demographic Analysis: South Africa vs Nigeria
In 2025, South Africa has a population of 65M, while Nigeria has 238M. This represents a difference of 173M, with Nigeria having 3.7 times the population of the other. South Africa ranks #24 globally by population size, while Nigeria ranks #6.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: South Africa has a median age of 29.7 years, compared to 19.2 years in Nigeria. This 10.5-year difference indicates that South Africa has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in South Africa is 48.4%, while in Nigeria it is 77.3%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: South Africa has a sex ratio of 94.77 males per female, while Nigeria has 102.41. Nigeria shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | South Africa | Nigeria | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 65M | 238M | 3.7x smaller |
| World Population Ranking | #24 | #6 | 18 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | +1.35% | +2.11% | 0.76pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 29.7 years | 19.2 years | 10.5 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 25.7% | 40.5% | 14.8pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 67.4% | 56.4% | 11.0pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 6.9% | 3.1% | 3.8pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 24.8% | 28.6% | 3.8pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 43.7% | 31.3% | 12.3pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 48.4% | 77.3% | 28.9pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 38.2% | 71.8% | 33.7pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 10.2% | 5.4% | 4.8pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 94.8 | 102.4 | 7.6 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 2.22 children/woman | 4.42 children/woman | 2.20 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 18.2 per 1,000 | 28.8 per 1,000 | 10.6 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 26.8% | 7.6% | 19.2pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | stationary | expansive | Different types |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between South Africa and Nigeria for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = South Africa has more males
Green = Nigeria has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = South Africa has more females
Orange = Nigeria has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Nigeria has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
-172.8M
Nigeria larger
Growth Since 1950
South Africa
+396.6%
Nigeria
+537.1%
Population Ratio
1 : 3.67
South Africa : Nigeria
| Metric | South Africa | Nigeria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 64.7M | 237.5M | -72.7% |
| Median Age | 29.7 years | 19.2 years | +10.5 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 16.7M 25.7% | 96.2M 40.5% | -82.7% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 43.6M 67.4% | 134.0M 56.4% | -67.4% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 4.5M 6.9% | 7.3M 3.1% | -38.9% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 48.4 per 100 | 77.3 per 100 | -28.9 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 38.2 per 100 | 71.8 per 100 | -33.7 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 10.2 per 100 | 5.4 per 100 | +4.8 |
| Sex Ratio | 94.8 M/100F | 102.4 M/100F | -7.6 |
| Population Structure Type | Stationary | Expansive | Different |
Total Population
South Africa
64.7M
Nigeria
237.5M
Median Age
South Africa
29.7 years
Nigeria
19.2 years
Youth Population (0-14)
South Africa
16.7M
25.7%
Nigeria
96.2M
40.5%
Working Age (15-64)
South Africa
43.6M
67.4%
Nigeria
134.0M
56.4%
Elderly Population (65+)
South Africa
4.5M
6.9%
Nigeria
7.3M
3.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
South Africa
48.4 per 100
Nigeria
77.3 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
South Africa
38.2 per 100
Nigeria
71.8 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
South Africa
10.2 per 100
Nigeria
5.4 per 100
Sex Ratio
South Africa
94.8 M/100F
Nigeria
102.4 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Nigeria became the world's most populous country, ending South Africa's centuries-long reign