Discover how demographic shifts have reshaped South Africa’s population across age groups and sexes.
Review the age and gender distribution of South Africa's population and compare demographic changes over time.
As of 2025, South Africa's population stands at approximately 64,747,319 people. Over the past five years it has grown by +6.91%, and over the past ten years by +14.15%.
South Africa ranks 24th of 217 countries by total population, and 86th by five-year population growth. Growth momentum is currently stable (+1.32% → +1.35% per year).
By gender, female residents make up the larger share of the population, at 51.3% (51.3% female vs 48.7% male).
By broad age group, the working-age (15-64) group accounts for the largest share of the population: 25.7% are under 15, 67.4% are aged 15-64, and 6.9% are aged 65 and above.
The share of the population under 15 is currently falling, and peaked at 42.3% in 1970.
The share of the population aged 60 and above has been rising, from 5.4% in 1960 to 10.4% in 2025.
Population of South Africa by Year: Total, Gender and Broad Age Groups
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL); population by gender (SP.POP.TOTL.MA.IN, SP.POP.TOTL.FE.IN); population by broad age group (SP.POP.0014.TO, SP.POP.1564.TO, SP.POP.65UP.TO). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
South Africa Population by Five-Year Age Cohorts and Gender
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population by five-year age groups and sex (SP.POP.0004.MA … SP.POP.80UP.FE). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.