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Population Review

Rank #173 by World Population

🇿🇦South Africa

South Africa has a population of 63,212,384, ranking #173 in the world. The capital is Pretoria. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .

World Bank: Upper middle income

63,212,384

Population

#173

World Rank

66.1

Life Expectancy

$6,034

GDP Per Capita

South Africa, #173 by world population

South Africa Population History (1960-2024)

The country of South Africa had a population of 16,440,172 in 1960 and 64,007,187 in 2024, a 3.9× growth over 64 years. The peak was 64,007,187 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.15%.

2024 · 64M19602024
South Africa population, 1960–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

64,007,187

Population (2024)

16,440,172

Population (1960)

64,007,187

Peak (2024)

2.15%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
196016,440,172
196116,908,035
196217,418,522
196317,954,564
196418,511,361
196519,089,380
196619,690,087
196720,314,066
196820,957,287
196921,614,676
197022,279,984
197122,942,143
197223,609,456
197324,294,263
197424,989,108
197525,690,940
197626,395,450
197727,118,952
197827,869,507
197928,634,162
198029,518,857
198130,541,044
198231,615,339
198332,739,304
198433,892,788
198535,042,093
198636,180,515
198737,326,190
198838,480,649
198939,628,575
199040,746,268
199141,687,898
199242,443,509
199343,297,156
199444,004,139
199544,541,554
199645,123,018
199745,666,838
199846,223,880
199946,730,335
200047,159,719
200147,566,800
200248,019,415
200348,500,348
200448,991,421
200549,490,033
200649,998,277
200750,528,584
200851,114,599
200951,728,516
201052,344,051
201152,995,205
201253,782,567
201354,678,791
201455,594,838
201556,723,537
201657,259,551
201757,635,162
201858,613,001
201959,587,885
202060,562,381
202161,502,603
202262,378,410
202363,212,384
202464,007,187

Demographics

Population63,212,384
Population Growth Rate1.33%
Urban Population63.6%
Fertility Rate2.22 births/woman
Life Expectancy66.1 years
Infant Mortality Rate24.3 per 1,000
Literacy Rate90.0%

Economy & Trade

$6,034

GDP Per Capita

32.1%

Unemployment Rate

Upper middle income

Income Level

54.1

Gini Index (inequality)

65.7%

Trade (% of GDP)

3,886,600.098

Tourism Arrivals

Health & Education

8.9%

Health Expenditure (% GDP)

0.79

Physicians per 1,000

6.1%

Education Expenditure (% GDP)

90.0%

Literacy Rate

24.3

Infant Mortality (per 1,000)

Development & Connectivity

87.7%

Electricity Access

78.3%

Internet Users

163

Mobile Subs per 100

52.1

People per km2

228,222

Net Migration

Environment

14.0%

Forest Area

South Africa Climate

South Africa has an average annual temperature of 18.4°C (65°F) and receives about 688 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is January and the coldest is June. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.

18.4°C

Avg Temp

688

Precip (mm/yr)

Jan

Hottest Month

Jun

Coldest Month

0°10°20°30°129mmJFMAMJJASOND
— Avg temp (°C)▮ Precipitation (mm)
South Africa — monthly temperature & precipitation (1970–2000 normals) · Source: WorldClim 2.1
MonthAvg (°C/°F)Precip
January23° / 73°129 mm
February22° / 72°92 mm
March21° / 70°86 mm
April18° / 65°45 mm
May15° / 59°13 mm
June12° / 53°6 mm
July12° / 54°3 mm
August15° / 59°6 mm
September19° / 66°20 mm
October20° / 69°69 mm
November21° / 70°105 mm
December22° / 72°114 mm

1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.

Best time to visit South Africa

The most comfortable months to visit South Africa are typically September, October and March, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is January (around 29°C high). The coldest is June (near 4°C low). January is usually the wettest month.

SeptemberOctoberMarch

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Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

AngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundi

Compare South Africa

vs Nigeria

South Africa in global context

South Africa is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.

World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →

Other related entities

Angola (36,749,906)Benin (14,111,034)Botswana (2,480,244)Burkina Faso (23,025,776)Burundi (13,689,450)All countries →

Country rankings

Populated Countries in the WorldCountries With Highest GDP Per CapitaCountries With Highest Life ExpectancyCountries With Highest Fertility RatesCountries With Highest Literacy RatesUrbanized Countries in the WorldFastest Growing Countries by PopulationCountries With Highest Infant MortalityCountries With Highest Income InequalityCountries With Most International TourismAll rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

South Africa has a population of 63,212,384, ranking #173 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 1.33%.

Life expectancy in South Africa is 66.1 years. The infant mortality rate is 24.3 per 1,000 live births.

South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,034. It is classified as a upper middle income country by the World Bank.

63.6% of South Africa's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 52.1 people per square kilometer.

The adult literacy rate in South Africa is 90.0%. The country spends 6.1% of GDP on education.

The most comfortable months to visit South Africa are typically September, October and March, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.

South Africa has an average annual temperature of 18.4°C and about 688 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically January and the coldest is June.

Sources: World Bank Open Data

International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.

With 63,212,384 residents, South Africa is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . The population is growing slowly, about 1.3% annually.

South Africa is a Upper middle income economy, with GDP per capita near $6,034. Life expectancy is 66.1 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 2.2 births per woman, and 63.6% of the population lives in urban areas.

Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.