HistoryData

Population Pyramid of South Africa2024

Total population
64.0M
Median age
29.5
Peak year
2100
Peak population
94.3M

Age & sex distribution over time

195019802000202420502100
1950 · 13.0M · median age 20.2
Population pyramid: South Africa, 1950. Total population 13.0 million, median age 20.2. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1950
1980 · 29.5M · median age 19.4
Population pyramid: South Africa, 1980. Total population 29.5 million, median age 19.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1980
2000 · 47.2M · median age 21.9
Population pyramid: South Africa, 2000. Total population 47.2 million, median age 21.9. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2000
2024 · 64.0M · median age 29.5
Population pyramid: South Africa, 2024. Total population 64.0 million, median age 29.5. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2024
2050 · 79.2M · median age 33.4
Population pyramid: South Africa, 2050. Total population 79.2 million, median age 33.4. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2050
2100 · 94.3M · median age 39.3
Population pyramid: South Africa, 2100. Total population 94.3 million, median age 39.3. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2100

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Values in thousands. Years after 2024 are medium-variant projections.

Key insights

Demographic profile

South Africa presently shows a transitional pyramid, narrowing at the base as fertility declines but still with substantial youth cohorts. The median age in 2024 is 29.5 years.

Age composition

Children under 15 account for 25.9% of the population; people 65 and older account for 6.7%.

Peak population

UN medium-variant projections place South Africa's peak population in 2100.

Long arc

In 1950 the population was 13.0 million with median age 20.2. Projected 2100 values are 94.3 million and median age 39.3.

More about South Africa

Population history
South Africa's population over time
Famous people
Notable figures from South Africa
GDP history
Economic output of South Africa
Life expectancy
Longevity in South Africa
Inflation history
Price changes in South Africa
Fertility rate
Births per woman in South Africa
Average height
Adult height in South Africa by birth year