South Africa Population Pyramid (2026)
South Africa has a population of 65,453,084 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 24th-largest population in the world and 0.79% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 25.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 7.1%, with 94.7 males for every 100 females.
South Africa Demographics
South Africa has 65.5 million people in 2026, up 193.8% from 22.3 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 558,180 (UN projection for 2026).
Median age 28.9 — the 89th-lowest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 25.6% — the 89th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Millennials — 26.2% (17,126,155)
All generations in South Africa →
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how South Africa's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
South Africa has 94.7 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 1,778,994 (2.7% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:31,837,045
- Percentage:48.6%
Female Statistics
- Population:33,616,039
- Percentage:51.4%
- Ratio Format:1:1.056
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of South Africa indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 1,167,803 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,190,312 | 19.4 | 2.25 | estimate |
| 2022 | 1,190,146 | 19.1 | 2.23 | estimate |
| 2023 | 1,186,793 | 18.8 | 2.22 | estimate |
| 2024 | 1,182,869 | 18.5 | 2.21 | projection |
| 2025 | 1,175,749 | 18.2 | 2.19 | projection |
| 2026 | 1,167,803 | 17.8 | 2.17 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (1,167,803 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
South Africa's median age is 28.9 years
Half the population is younger than 28.9 years, half is older — indicating a young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 5,826,964 | 8.9% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 5,691,176 | 8.7% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 5,223,415 | 8.0% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 5,464,026 | 8.3% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 5,222,577 | 8.0% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 5,401,140 | 8.3% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 5,658,446 | 8.6% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 5,500,347 | 8.4% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 4,958,758 | 7.6% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 3,943,968 | 6.0% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 3,080,955 | 4.7% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 2,596,260 | 4.0% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 2,254,204 | 3.4% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 1,828,777 | 2.8% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 1,291,654 | 2.0% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 744,618 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 387,890 | 0.6% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 228,440 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 107,845 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 34,687 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 100+ | 6,939 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 3 (falling birth rate): 2.17 children per woman and 17.8 births per 1,000, with a low death rate (9.3). Read more about Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
South Africa Total Fertility Rate: 2.17 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.25 | 19.4 | |
| 2022 | 2.23 | 19.1 | ↓0.02 |
| 2023 | 2.22 | 18.8 | ↓0.01 |
| 2024 | 2.21 | 18.5 | ↓0.01 |
| 2025 | 2.19 | 18.2 | ↓0.02 |
| 2026 | 2.17 | 17.8 | ↓0.02 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 2.10
South Africa's total fertility rate is 2.17 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. South Africa ranks 88 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the middle third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −64.0% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, South Africa's population has increased by 402.0%.
The median age has increased from 19.2 in 1950 to 28.9 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding South Africa's Demographics
South Africa has a stationary population pyramid — similar-sized bands from the youngest cohorts through the working ages.
Children under 15 make up 25.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 7.1%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 8.9% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: South Africa's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
South Africa's working-age share is projected to peak in 2024 at 67.4%.
Fertility Transition Stage
South Africa is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 2.17 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
South Africa's median age changed by +3.2 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 65,453,084 |
| Male Population | 31,837,045(48.6%) |
| Female Population | 33,616,039(51.4%) |
| Median Age | 28.9 years |
| Sex Ratio | 94.7 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 16,741,555(25.6%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 44,080,679(67.3%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 4,630,850(7.1%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 48.5 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 38.0 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 10.5 |
| Pyramid Type | Stationary |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in South Africa
How long the average person in South Africa is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
South Africa is projected to grow to 79.2 million people by 2050 (+21.0% from 2026).
The median age rises from 28.9 in 2026 to 32.3 by 2050.
South Africa's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 32.5%, growing from 22.3 million in 1970 to 29.5 million by 1980
The median age increased by 0.7 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 1.3 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 22.3M to 29.5M
- • Growth rate of 32.5% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 17.7 to 18.4 years (+0.7y)
- • 65+ share changed by +0.2 points; under-15 share by −1.3 points
How Does South Africa Compare to Its Neighbors?
South Africa has an older population than Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia. South Africa has a larger population than Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia.
South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa
How does South Africa rank globally by population?
South Africa ranks 24th in the world by population with 65.5 million people as of 2026, representing 0.79% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does South Africa's age structure reveal about its development?
South Africa's age structure — 25.6% under 15, 67.3% working-age (15–64) and 7.1% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 3 of the demographic transition, with a stationary population pyramid. The median age is 28.9 years.
What is the dependency ratio in South Africa?
South Africa has 48.5 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is South Africa experiencing a demographic dividend?
South Africa is at the peak of its demographic-dividend window. South Africa's working-age share is projected to peak in 2024 at 67.4%. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in South Africa's population?
South Africa has more females than males, with 94.7 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). South Africa Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/south-africa
View UN World Population Prospects Data →