South Africa is projected to count 65,453,084 residents in 2026. That is a 5-fold increase on the 13,038,491 recorded in 1950. It is expanding at 1.05% a year, adding about 687.3K people a year. Population density sits at 54 people/km². Half the population is younger than 28.9 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 32.3 by 2050. Women outnumber men, at 95 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections see it rising to 94,314,448, up 44% from 2026.
Total population
65,453,084
Density
54 people/km²
Median age
28.9 years
Growth rate
+1.05%
South Africa's population continues to grow, though at a moderate pace. The population is gradually aging, with median age projected to reach 32 by 2050 (from a projected 29 in 2026). UN projections show continued growth to 94.3M by 2100.