Demographics_of_South_Africa

Demographics of South Africa

Demographics of South Africa

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According to the 2022 census, the population of South Africa is about 62 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions.[1] The South African National Census of 2022 was the most recent census held; the next will be in 2032.[3]

Quick Facts South Africa, Population ...
Population density in South Africa (darker color = higher density)

In 2011, Statistics South Africa counted 2.1 million foreigners in total.[4] Reports[specify] suggest that is an underestimation. The real figure may be as high as five million,[5] including some three million Zimbabweans.[6]

History

Historical population of South Africa
Further information: History of South Africa

Population

Earlier Censuses, 1904 to 2011

1904 Census

South African population figures for the 1904 Census.[7]

More information ColonyPop. Group, Total ...

1960 Census

Sources: Statesman's Year-Book 1967–1968;[8] Europa Year Book 1969[9]

More information ProvincePop. Group, Total ...

1904–85 national census numbers

Bantustan demographics were removed from South African census data during Apartheid and for this reason official figures on the national population of the country during that period will be inaccurate.[10]

More information Year, Blacks ...

1996 Census

Source: The People of South Africa: Population Census, 1996[11]

More information map, Population Group → Province ↓ ...

2001 Census

Source: Statistics South Africa: Census 2001[12]

More information ProvincePop. Group, Eastern Cape ...

2011 Census

Source: Census 2011: Census in Brief[13]

More information ProvincePop. Group, Eastern Cape ...
More information Year, Pop. ...


Historical and projected population for the years 1 to 2100

UN Age and population estimates: 1950 to 2030

According to the 2019 revision of the United Nations Secretariat's World Population Prospects, South Africa's total population was 55,386,000 in 2015, compared to only 13,628,000 in 1950. In 2015, 29.3% of the people were children under the age of 15, 65.7% were between 15 and 64 years of age, and 5.0% were 65 or older.[20] All population estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand.

More information Year, Total population ...

UN population projections: 2019 to 2100

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Vital statistics

Statistics South Africa: From 2002 to present

The following statistics are obtained from the mid-year population estimates published by Statistics South Africa:[23]

  Population estimates for South Africa 2002-2020
More information Average population, Live births ...
More information Population Group, Male ...
  Mid-year population estimates for South Africa by province, 2020

United Nations estimates, 2019

The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates.[20] (Natural increase or decrease over a time period is the difference between that period's live births and deaths, before accounting for inward or outward migration.)

More information Period, Live births per year ...

Age and sex distribution

See also: South African National Census of 2011
Population pyramid, 2011
More information Age group, Male ...
More information Age group, Male ...
More information Number of children 0–14, Number of women 15–49 ...

Age and race distribution

See also: South African National Census of 2011

Age distribution within each racial group

By generation
Age group All races % of All Black African % of Blacks Coloured % of Col'd White % of Whites Indian or other Asian % of Asians Others % of others
0–14 15,100,08929.2% 12,702,32431.0% 1,311,81128.4% 771,18716.8% 258,60220.1% 56,16420.0%
15–64 33,904,47965.5% 26,502,32964.6% 3,085,68466.9% 3,165,96568.9% 939,37973.0% 211,12675.3%
65-plus 2,765,9925.3% 1,796,2854.4% 217,9064.7% 649,68614.2% 88,9496.9% 13,1644.7%
All ages51,770,560100% 41,000,938(100%) 4,615,401(100%) 4,586,838(100%) 1,286,930(100%) 280,454(100%)
% of SA100% 79.20% 8.92% 8.86% 2.49% 0.54%


Racial composition of each age group in 2015 (estimates)

Age group All races % of All Black % of Blacks Coloured % of Col'd White % of Whites Indian or other Asian % of Asians
0–14 16,612,04330.23% 14,244,66332.21% 1,288,60126.66% 789,49217.41% 289,28521.24%
15–64 35,465,49964.53% 28,170,79763.69% 3,299,77168.28% 3,026,47566.75% 968,64971.12%
65-plus 2,879,3785.24% 1,812,5354.10% 244,5445.06% 718,04115.84% 104.0687.64%
All ages54,956,920100% 44,227,995(100%) 4,832,916(100%) 4,534,008(100%) 1,362,002(100%)
% of SA100% 80.48% 8.79% 8.25% 2.48%
By five-year cohorts
Age group All races % of All Black African % of Blacks Coloured % of Col'd White % of Whites Indian or Asian % of Asians
under 5 5,936,35010.80% 5,156,50811.66% 426,1568.82% 254,9785.62% 98,7087.25%
5 to 9 5,537,22510.08% 4,746,11510.73% 430,6668.91% 263,3785.81% 97,0657.13%
10 to 14 5,138,4689.35% 4,342,0409.82% 431,7798.93% 271,1365.98% 93,5126.87%
15 to 19 5,124,3739.32% 4,292,2209.70% 437,4129.05% 295,7336.52% 99,0077.27%
20 to 24 5,302,2469.65% 4,461,51510.09% 426,0138.81% 306,4156.76% 108,3047.95%
25 to 29 5,232,2549.52% 4,437,57010.03% 389,4298.06% 287,4856.34% 117,7718.65%
30 to 34 4,307,6937.84% 3,535,1737.99% 366,9557.59% 281,3586.21% 124,2069.12%
35 to 39 3,774,9216.87% 3,001,9896.79% 376,4887.79% 279,4396.16% 117,0058.59%
40 to 44 3,204,9525.83% 2,444,9725.53% 368,8867.63% 288,3706.36% 102,7257.54%
45 to 49 2,738,5804.98% 2,004,0094.53% 307,3636.36% 335,4347.40% 91,7746.74%
50 to 54 2,297,5864.18% 1,619,2493.66% 264,5935.47% 332,9777.34% 80,7675.93%
55 to 59 1,942,9423.54% 1,334,8003.02% 209,9334.34% 328,9997.26% 69,2105.08%
60 to 64 1,539,9532.80% 1,039,3012.35% 152,6983.16% 290,0756.40% 57,8794.25%
65 to 69 1,153,1592.10% 737,5811.67% 105,4032.18% 265,8185.86% 44,3573.26%
70 to 74 805,1141.46% 511,7231.16% 65,4651.35% 198,8764.39% 28,9492.13%
75 to 79 502,0050.91% 313,8000.71% 41,9780.87% 128,6752.84% 17,5521.29%
80-plus 419,1000.76% 249,4310.56% 31,6980.66% 124,6722.75% 13,2100.97%
All ages54,956,920100% 44,227,995(100%) 4,832,916(100%) 4,534,008(100%) 1,362,002(100%)
% of SA100% 80.48% 8.79% 8.25% 2.48%
Age group All races Black African % of age grp Coloured % of age grp White % of age grp Indian or Asian % of age grp
under 5 5,936,350 5,156,50886.86% 426,1567.18% 254,9784.30% 98,7081.66%
5 to 9 5,537,225 4,746,11585.71% 430,6667.78% 263,3784.76% 97,0651.75%
10 to 14 5,138,468 4,342,04084.50% 431,7798.40% 271,1365.28% 93,5121.82%
15 to 19 5,124,373 4,292,22083.76% 437,4128.54% 295,7335.77% 99,0071.93%
20 to 24 5,302,246 4,461,51584.14% 426,0138.03% 306,4155.78% 108,3042.04%
25 to 29 5,232,254 4,437,57084.81% 389,4297.44% 287,4855.49% 117,7712.25%
30 to 34 4,307,693 3,535,17382.07% 366,9558.52% 281,3586.53% 124,2062.88%
35 to 39 3,774,921 3,001,98979.52% 376,4889.97% 279,4397.40% 117,0053.10%
40 to 44 3,204,952 2,444,97276.29% 368,88611.51% 288,3709.00% 102,7253.21%
45 to 49 2,738,580 2,004,00973.18% 307,36311.22% 335,43412.25% 91,7743.35%
50 to 54 2,297,586 1,619,24970.48% 264,59311.52% 332,97714.49% 80,7673.52%
55 to 59 1,942,942 1,334,80068.70% 209,93310.80% 328,99916.93% 69,2103.56%
60 to 64 1,539,953 1,039,30167.49% 152,6989.92% 290,07518.84% 57,8793.76%
65 to 69 1,153,159 737,58163.96% 105,4039.14% 265,81823.05% 44,3573.85%
70 to 74 805,114 511,72363.56% 65,4658.13% 198,87624.70% 28,9493.60%
75 to 79 502,005 313,80062.51% 41,9788.36% 128,67525.63% 17,5523.50%
80-plus 419,100 249,43159.52% 31,6987.56% 124,67229.75% 13,2103.15%
All ages54,956,920 44,227,995 4,832,916 4,534,008 1,362,002
% of SA 80.48% 8.79% 8.25% 2.48%

Racial composition of each age group in 2020 (estimates)

Source:[24]

Age group All races % of All Black African % of Blacks Coloured % of Col'd White % of Whites Indian or other Asian % of Asians
0–14 17,050,95528.60% 14,605,41630.33% 1,408,55326.84% 742,91315.87% 294,07319.08%
15–64 38,941,22165.31% 31,368,17465.14% 3,487,28466.45% 2,988,63463.86% 1,097,12971.19%
65-plus 3,630,1746.09% 2,180,1374.53% 351,9036.71% 948,22320.26% 149,9119.73%
All ages59,622,350100% 48,153,727(100%) 5,247,740(100%) 4,679,770(100%) 1,541,113(100%)
% of SA100% 80.76% 8.80% 7.85% 2.58%
Age group All races % of All Black African % of Blacks Coloured % of Col'd White % of Whites Indian or Asian % of Asians
under 5 5,743,4509.63% 4,940,75110.26% 476,3229.08% 226,7154.84% 99,6626.47%
5 to 9 5,715,9529.59% 4,890,89510.16% 475,5189.06% 249,9915.34% 99,5486.46%
10 to 14 5,591,5539.38% 4,773,7709.91% 456,7138.70% 266,2075.69% 94,8636.16%
15 to 19 4,774,5798.01% 4,031,7048.37% 411,0567.83% 243,2675.20% 88,5525.75%
20 to 24 4,823,3678.09% 4,043,4328.40% 423,1808.06% 254,4655.44% 102,2906.64%
25 to 29 5,420,7549.09% 4,586,7809.53% 435,7468.30% 267,6545.72% 130,5748.47%
30 to 34 5,641,7509.46% 4,769,4999.90% 431,2748.22% 296,1606.33% 144,8179.40%
35 to 39 4,798,2938.05% 3,962,7808.23% 381,8587.28% 308,9596.60% 144,6969.39%
40 to 44 3,733,9426.26% 2,988,9996.21% 316,6116.03% 306,4146.55% 121,9187.91%
45 to 49 3,169,6485.32% 2,393,3174.97% 312,6655.96% 352,6487.54% 111,0187.20%
50 to 54 2,571,2634.31% 1,834,1913.81% 302,2245.76% 337,8397.22% 97,0096.29%
55 to 59 2,211,3093.71% 1,546,6743.21% 264,9675.05% 314,4236.72% 85,2455.53%
60 to 64 1,796,3163.01% 1,210,7982.51% 207,7033.96% 306,8056.56% 71,0104.61%
65 to 69 1,408,6652.36% 918,6041.91% 150,9412.88% 281,3186.01% 57,8023.75%
70 to 74 1,007,1741.69% 619,1061.29% 97,1271.85% 248,6735.31% 42,2682.74%
75 to 79 637,0621.07% 365,4090.76% 56,8221.08% 188,1234.02% 26,7081.73%
80-plus 577,2730.97% 277,0180.58% 47,0130.90% 230,1094.92% 23,1331.50%
All ages59,622,350100% 48,153,727(100%) 5,247,740(100%) 4,679,770(100%) 1,541,113(100%)
% of SA100% 80.76% 8.80% 7.85% 2.58%
Age group All races Black African % of age grp Coloured % of age grp White % of age grp Indian or Asian % of age grp
under 5 5,743,450 4,940,75186.02% 476,3228.29% 226,7153.95% 99,6621.74%
5 to 9 5,715,952 4,890,89585.57% 475,5188.32% 249,9914.37% 99,5481.74%
10 to 14 5,591,553 4,773,77085.37% 456,7138.17% 266,2074.76% 94,8631.70%
15 to 19 4,774,579 4,031,70484.44% 411,0568.61% 243,2675.10% 88,5521.85%
20 to 24 4,823,367 4,043,43283.83% 423,1808.77% 254,4655.28% 102,2902.12%
25 to 29 5,420,754 4,586,78084.62% 435,7468.04% 267,6544.94% 130,5742.41%
30 to 34 5,641,750 4,769,49984.54% 431,2747.64% 296,1605.25% 144,8172.57%
35 to 39 4,798,293 3,962,78082.59% 381,8587.96% 308,9596.44% 144,6963.02%
40 to 44 3,733,942 2,988,99980.05% 316,6118.48% 306,4148.21% 121,9183.27%
45 to 49 3,169,648 2,393,31775.51% 312,6659.86% 352,64811.13% 111,0183.50%
50 to 54 2,571,263 1,834,19171.33% 302,22411.75% 337,83913.14% 97,0093.77%
55 to 59 2,211,309 1,546,67469.94% 264,96711.98% 314,42314.22% 85,2453.85%
60 to 64 1,796,316 1,210,79867.40% 207,70311.56% 306,80517.08% 71,0103.95%
65 to 69 1,408,665 918,60465.21% 150,94110.72% 281,31819.97% 57,8024.10%
70 to 74 1,007,174 619,10661.47% 97,1279.64% 248,67324.69% 42,2684.20%
75 to 79 637,062 365,40957.36% 56,8228.92% 188,12329.53% 26,7084.19%
80-plus 577,273 277,01847.99% 47,0138.14% 230,10939.86% 23,1334.01%
All ages59,622,350 48,153,727 5,247,740 4,679,770 1,541,113
% of SA 80.76% 8.80% 7.85% 2.58%

Fertility rate (The Demographic Health Survey)

Fertility rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and CBR (Crude Birth Rate):[25]

More information Year, CBR (Total) ...

Fertility rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) by ethnic group.

More information Year, Total ...

Life expectancy

Life expectancy at birth from 1950 to 2020 (UN World Population Prospects):[26]

Life expectancy in South Africa
  Life expectancy in South Africa 1950–2020 (per 5 yr clusters)
More information Period, Life expectancy (years) ...
  Life expectancy in South Africa 1950–2021 (per 5 yr clusters)
[27]

Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in South Africa
Dominant population groups in South Africa.
  African
  Coloured
  Indian or other Asian
  White
  None dominant
  Little or no population

Ethnic groups South Africa (1911)

  Black African (67%)
  White (21%)
  Coloured (9%)
  Asian (3%)

Ethnic groups South Africa (2021)

  Black African (80.9%)
  White (7.8%)
  Coloured (8.8%)
  Asian (2.6%)

Statistics South Africa asks people to describe themselves in the census in terms of five racial population groups.[28] The 2011 census figures for these groups were Black African at 80.2%, White at 8.4%, Coloured at 8.8%, Indian/Asian at 2.5%, and Other/Unspecified at 0.5%.[29]

The white percentage of the population has sharply declined. The first census in South Africa in 1911 showed that whites made up 22% of the population. This declined to 16% in 1980,[30] 8.9% in 2011 and 7.65% in 2022.[31]: 21  Coloured South Africans replaced Whites as the largest minority group around 2010.

Languages

Main article: Languages of South Africa

South Africa has twelve official languages:[32] isiZulu[29] 22.7%, isiXhosa[29] 16%, Afrikaans[29] 13.5%, English[29] 9.6%, Sepedi[29] 9.1%, Setswana[29] 8%, Sesotho[29] 7.6%, Xitsonga[29] 4.5%, siSwati[29] 2.5%, Tshivenda[29] 2.4%, isiNdebele[29] 2.1% and South African Sign Language.[33]

In this regard, it is third only to Bolivia and India in number. While all the languages are formally equal, some languages are spoken more than others. According to the 2022 census, the three most spoken languages in the household are Zulu (24.4%), Xhosa (16.3%), and Afrikaans (10.6%).[1]

The country also recognises several unofficial languages, including Sekholokoe, Fanagalo, Khwe, Lobedu, Nama, Northern Ndebele, Phuthi, San and South African Sign Language.[34] These unofficial languages may be used in certain official uses in limited areas where it has been determined that these languages are prevalent. Nevertheless, their populations are not such that they require nationwide recognition.

Many of the "unofficial languages" of the San and Khoikhoi people contain regional dialects stretching northwards into Namibia and Botswana, and elsewhere. These people, who are a physically distinct population from other Africans, have their own cultural identity based on their hunter-gatherer societies. They have been marginalised to a great extent, and many of their languages are in danger of becoming extinct.

Many white South Africans also speak other European languages, such as Portuguese (also spoken by black Angolans and Mozambicans), German, Serbian and Greek, while some Indians and other Asians in South Africa speak South Asian languages, such as Bhojpuri, Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu and Telugu. Although many South Africans are of Huguenot (French) origin, South African French is spoken by fewer than 10,000 individuals country-wide. Congolese French is also spoken in South Africa by migrants.

The primary sign language of deaf South Africans is South African Sign Language. Other sign languages among indigenous peoples are also used.

By ethnicity

In 2011, the first language was Zulu for 28.1% of Black South African residents, Xhosa for 19.8%, Sepedi for 11.2%, Tswana for 9.7%, Sesotho for 9.3%, Tsonga for 5.5%, siSwati for 3.1%, Venda for 2.9%, English for 2.8%, Southern Ndebele for 2.6%, Afrikaans for 1.5%, while 3.4% had another first language.[35]

Among whites, Afrikaans was the first language for 59.1% of the population, compared to 35.0% for English. Other languages accounted for the remaining 5.9%.[35]

Religion

Religion in South Africa (2016)[36]

  Protestantism (71.2%)
  No religion (10.9%)
  Roman Catholicism (6.8%)
  Traditional African religion (4.4%)
  Islam (1.6%)
  Hinduism (1.0%)
  Judaism (0.1%)
  Other religions (2.7%)
  Undetermined (1.4%)

According to the 2022 national census, Christians accounted for 85.3% of the population.[1] This includes[when?] Protestant (36.6%), Zionist Christian (11.1%), Pentecostal/Charismatic (8.2%), Roman Catholic (7.1%), Methodist (6.8%), Dutch Reformed (6.7%), Anglican (3.8%); members of other Christian churches accounted for another 36% of the population. Muslims accounted for 1.5% of the population, Other 2.3%, and 1.4% were Unspecified and None 15.1%.[citation needed]

Muslims are largely found among the Coloured and Indian ethnic groups. They have been joined by black or white South African converts as well as immigrants from other parts of Africa.[37] South African Muslims claim that their faith is the fastest-growing religion of conversion in the country, with the number of black Muslims growing sixfold, from 12,000 in 1991 to 74,700 in 2004. As of 2023, converts from Islam to Christianity surpass those who convert from Christianity to Islam.[37][38]

The Hindu population has its roots in the British colonial period, but later waves of immigration from India have also contributed to it. Most Hindus are of South Asian origin, but there are many who come from mixed racial stock. Some are converts due to the efforts of ISKCON.

Other minority religions in South Africa are Sikhism, Jainism, Baháʼí Faith and Judaism.[39]

By ethnicity

87.9% of Black residents are Christian, 9.5% have no religion, 0.2% are Muslim, 0.1% are Jewish, 1.22% are Hindu and 2.3% have other or undetermined beliefs.

71.8% of White residents are Christian, 23.8% have no religion, 0.2% are Muslim, 1.4% are Jewish, and 0.0% are Hindu. 2.7% have other or undetermined beliefs.

Other demographic statistics

Demographics development according to the United Nations

Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2022.[40]

  • One birth every 27 seconds
  • One death every 56 seconds
  • One net migrant every 4 minutes
  • Net gain of one person every 44 seconds

The following demographics are from the CIA World Factbook[41] unless otherwise indicated.

Population

57,516,665 (2022 est.)
55,380,210 (July 2018 est.)

Age structure

Population pyramid of South Africa in 2020
0-14 years: 27.94% (male 7,894,742/female 7,883,266)
15-24 years: 16.8% (male 4,680,587/female 4,804,337)
25-54 years: 42.37% (male 12,099,441/female 11,825,193)
55-64 years: 6.8% (male 1,782,902/female 2,056,988)
65 years and over: 6.09% (2020 est.) (male 1,443,956/female 1,992,205)
0-14 years: 28.18% (male 7,815,651 /female 7,793,261)
15-24 years: 17.24% (male 4,711,480 /female 4,837,897)
25-54 years: 42.05% (male 11,782,848 /female 11,503,831)
55-64 years: 6.71% (male 1,725,034 /female 1,992,035)
65 years and over: 5.81% (male 1,351,991 /female 1,866,182) (2018 est.)

Birth rate

18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 77th
19.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 78th

Death rate

9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 52nd
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 57th

Total fertility rate

2.18 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 90th
2.26 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 91st

Population growth rate

0.93% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 103rd
0.97% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 114th

Median age

Total: 28 years. Country comparison to the world: 142nd
Male: 27.9 years
Female: 28.1 years (2020 est.)
Total: 27.4 years. Country comparison to the world: 144th
Male: 27.2 years
Female: 27.6 years (2018 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.6% (2016)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 98th
-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 138th

Dependency ratios

Total dependency ratio: 52.5 (2015 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 44.8 (2015 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 (2015 est.)
Potential support ratio: 12.9 (2015 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 68.3% of total population (2022)
Rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population: 66.4% of total population (2018)
Rate of urbanization: 1.97% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 65.32 years. Country comparison to the world: 202nd
Male: 63.99 years
Female: 66.68 years (2022 est.)
Total population: 64.1 years (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

Degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout South Africa; as of 6 June 2022, South Africa has reported a total of 3,968,205 cases of COVID-19 or 6,690.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 101,317 cumulative deaths or a rate of 170.83 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 36.33% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Ethnic groups

Black African 80.9%, Colored 8.8%, White 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% (2021 est.)
note: Colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years

Languages

Map showing the dominant languages in South Africa
isiZulu (official) 24.7%, isiXhosa (official) 15.6%, Afrikaans (official) 12.1%, Sepedi (official) 9.8%, Setswana (official) 8.9%, English (official) 8.4%, Sesotho (official) 8%, Xitsonga (official) 4%, siSwati (official) 2.6%, Tshivenda (official) 2.5%, Khoi, Nama, and San languages 1.9% isiNdebele (official) 1.6% (2017 est.)
note: data represent language spoken most often at home

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2020) Country comparison to the world: 22nd
6.1% of GDP (2017) Country comparison to the world: 34th

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

Total population: 95%
Male: 95.5%
Female: 94.5% (2019)
Total population: 94.4%
Male: 95.4%
Female: 95.4% (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Total: 14 years
Male: 13 years
Female: 14 years (2019)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

Total: 59.4%
Male: 55.4%
Female: 64.1% (2020 est.)

Immigration

Main article: Immigration to South Africa

South Africa hosts a sizeable refugee and asylum seeker population. According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, this population numbered approximately 144,700 in 2007.[42] Groups of refugees and asylum seekers numbering over 10,000 included people from Zimbabwe (48,400), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (24,800), and Somalia (12,900).[42] These populations mainly lived in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth.[42] Many refugees have now also started to work and live in rural areas in provinces such as Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

Statistics SA assumes in some of their calculations that there are fewer than 2 million immigrants in South Africa.[43] Other institutions, like the police and Médecins Sans Frontières place estimate the figure at 4 million.[44][45][46][47]

Immigration figures

Main countries of immigration in South Africa according to the 2011 Census and 2022 Census:

More information Source: 2022 South African census (2023), Place of birth ...

Immigration assumptions by Statistics South Africa to South Africa based on race. Negative numbers represent net migration from South Africa to other countries.[49]

Immigration to SA by Race
(Negative values indicate net migration from SA elsewhere)
More information Year, African ...

Urbanization

Main article: List of municipalities in South Africa
See also: Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)

"Urban areas contain about two-thirds of the population; many of these consist of huge informal or squatter settlements."[50]

Graphs and maps

  • Population pyramid by population group, 2011
  • Black population
  • White population
  • Coloured population

See also

References

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