South Africa Population Clock
South Africa has an estimated population of about 64.7 million, which makes it the 24th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing steadily, at 1.15% a year.
The capital is Pretoria.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2016–2025 (World Bank)
How South Africa's population is changing
South Africa records about 3,276 births and 1,637 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 1,639 people per day, or about 598,645 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 146,370 over the reported period, with more people arriving than leaving. That is equivalent to about 24% of its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, South Africa would take roughly 61 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2016 to 2025, the population rose from 57.3 million to 64.7 million — a gain of 7.49 million, or 13.1%.
Where people live in South Africa
With about 52 people per square kilometre, South Africa is moderately populated, well below the world average of 62. That ranks 82nd of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Madagascar and Iran.
South Africa covers about 1,213,090 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 64.7 million into that density figure.
About 63.8% of people live in urban areas, making South Africa majority urban, above the world average of 57.8%. That works out to roughly 41.3 million town and city dwellers and 23.4 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in South Africa
South Africa has a broadly balanced age structure: about 25.7% are under 15 and 6.9% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 3.7 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 2.21 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 66.3 years, roughly 7.2 years below the global average of 73.5.
South Africa at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64.7 million | 2025 |
| World rank by population | #24 | 2025 |
| Annual growth rate | 1.15% | 2025 |
| Population density | 52 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 1,213,090 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 63.8% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 66.3 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 2.21 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 25.7% | 2025 |
| Population 65 and over | 6.9% | 2025 |
| Net migration | 146,370 | 2025 |
| Births per day | 3,276 | 2025 |
| Deaths per day | 1,637 | 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
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Where do these South Africa figures come from?
Current local time in South Africa
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2025. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank