Total population in South Africa
In 2025, the total population (number of people) in South Africa was 64,747,319 people, up from 64,007,187 people in 2024. This gives South Africa the 9th-highest among BRICS+ countries, the 13th-highest among G20 countries, and the 24th-highest globally (out of 236 economies with available data).
Total population
Number of people
South Africa
How South Africa compares
About this indicator
Total population refers to all residents of a country or territory, regardless of legal status or citizenship. It reflects demographic dynamics driven by births, deaths, and migration.
Population data are essential for calculating per capita indicators and for understanding the scale of an economy, its labor force, and its social services demand. Changes in population size have direct implications for economic growth potential, fiscal sustainability, and resource allocation.
This indicator is measured at mid-year (July 1) and expressed in number of people.
Population data are essential for calculating per capita indicators and for understanding the scale of an economy, its labor force, and its social services demand. Changes in population size have direct implications for economic growth potential, fiscal sustainability, and resource allocation.
This indicator is measured at mid-year (July 1) and expressed in number of people.
Sources and updates
Data sources
The data for this indicator are drawn from the United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects database.
Last update
This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.
More on South Africa
Population & Demographics
Cumulative growth of population
Total growth of population (%) since 2010
Rank91st of 236
Median age of population
Age dividing the population into two equal halves
Rank145th of 236
Elderly population
Share of total population aged 65 and over
Rank143rd of 236
Young population
Share of total population aged under 15
Rank93rd of 236
Working age population
Share of total population aged 15 to 64
Rank60th of 236
Fertility rate
Average number of births per woman
Rank97th of 236
Migration rate
Net number of migrants (immigrants minus emigrants) per 1,000 population
Rank53rd of 236
Economic activity
Health
Public Finance
Government debt (% of GDP)
Gross debt of the general government
Rank45th of 190
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
Rank83rd of 191
Government budget balance (% of GDP)
Positive values indicate a surplus; negative values indicate a deficit
Rank163rd of 194
Education
Tertiary-educated adults
Share of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education
Rank46th of 47
Youth neither studying nor working
Share of youth aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET rate)
Rank15th of 135
Education spending per student
Primary to tertiary spending per student, in constant international dollars
Rank39th of 43