South Africa has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades, driven by both natural increase and migration. As of 2023, the country's population is estimated to be around 60 million, up from approximately 40 million in the early 1990s. The growth rate has slowed somewhat in recent years, largely due to declining fertility rates, increased urbanization, and the impact of health challenges such as HIV/AIDS. Despite these factors, South Africa remains one of the most populous countries on the African continent. The population is characterized by a youthful demographic, though the median age is gradually rising. Urban areas, particularly cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, continue to attract people from rural regions, contributing to urban population growth and presenting both opportunities and challenges for infrastructure and service provision.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 13,595,840 | 11.2 |
| 1955 | 15,368,551 | 12.7 |
| 1960 | 17,416,653 | 14.3 |
| 1965 | 19,898,242 | 16.4 |
| 1970 | 22,739,921 | 18.7 |
| 1975 | 25,815,144 | 21.3 |
| 1980 | 29,251,588 | 24.1 |
| 1985 | 34,254,092 | 28.2 |
| 1990 | 38,503,255 | 31.7 |
| 1995 | 42,147,064 | 34.7 |
| 2000 | 44,913,310 | 37 |
| 2005 | 48,104,426 | 39.6 |
| 2010 | 51,122,241 | 42.1 |
| 2015 | 53,661,885 | 44.2 |
| 2020 | 56,434,963 | 46.5 |
| 2022 | 57,516,665 | 47.4 |
| 2023 | 58,048,332 | 47.8 |
| 2024 | 58,573,050 | 48.2 |
| 2025 | 59,090,298 | 48.7 |
| 2030 | 61,485,567 | 50.6 |
| 2035 | 63,582,370 | 52.4 |
| 2040 | 65,446,929 | 53.9 |
| 2045 | 67,089,133 | 55.2 |
| 2050 | 68,434,347 | 56.3 |
| 2055 | 69,481,713 | 57.2 |
| 2060 | 70,289,452 | 57.9 |
| 2065 | 70,861,200 | 58.3 |
| 2070 | 71,223,825 | 58.6 |
| 2075 | 71,414,370 | 58.8 |
| 2080 | 71,474,812 | 58.9 |
| 2085 | 71,437,440 | 58.8 |
| 2090 | 71,310,013 | 58.7 |
| 2095 | 71,073,289 | 58.5 |
| 2100 | 70,700,687 | 58.2 |
Data from US Census International Database