What is the Population of South Africa?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
South Africa has a population of approximately 63,100,945 people, making it the 24th most populated country of the 196 countries covered on this site — around 0.79% of the world's population. With a land area of 1,221,037 km², the population density is roughly 52 people per km².
| Population | 63,100,945 |
|---|---|
| Population rank | 24th of 196 |
| Share of world population | 0.79% |
| Area | 1,221,037 km² |
| Population density | 52 / km² |
| Demonym | South African |
Curious about South Africa?
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Countries with a similar population
| Country | Population | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 63,100,945 | 24th |
| Tanzania | 68,153,004 | 21st |
| France | 66,351,959 | 22nd |
| Thailand | 65,859,640 | 23rd |
| Italy | 58,927,633 | 25th |
| Kenya | 53,330,978 | 26th |
| Colombia | 53,057,212 | 27th |
South Africa compared with its neighbours
| Country | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | 2,359,609 | 582,000 |
| Lesotho | 2,116,427 | 30,355 |
| Mozambique | 34,090,466 | 801,590 |
| Namibia | 3,022,401 | 825,615 |
| Eswatini | 1,235,549 | 17,364 |
| Zimbabwe | 17,073,087 | 390,757 |
South Africa in context
- South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², making it the 24th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe.
- With 63,100,945 people, South Africa holds about 71.0% of the population of Southern Africa.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- South Africa is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare South Africa
Population of South Africa — FAQ
What is the population of South Africa?
The population of South Africa is approximately 63,100,945 (63.1 million) based on the latest available data.
What is the population of South Africa in 2026?
The latest estimate in our dataset puts the population of South Africa at approximately 63,100,945 people (an estimate, not a live count — national statistics offices publish the official figures). South Africa is the 24th most populated country in our dataset.
How many people live in South Africa?
Approximately 63,100,945 people live in South Africa, making it the 24th most populated country out of 196 covered on this site.
How does South Africa rank by population?
South Africa is the 24th most populated of the 196 countries covered on this site, with a world population share of 0.79%.
What is the population density of South Africa?
South Africa has a population density of roughly 52 people per km², based on a land area of 1,221,037 km².
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