South Africa has a population of approximately 62 million people as of 2025, making it the 24th most populous country in the world and the most economically developed nation in sub-Saharan Africa. Often called the "Rainbow Nation," South Africa occupies the southern tip of the African continent and is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse societies on Earth, with 11 official languages and a demographic story shaped profoundly by its apartheid past.
How Many People Live in South Africa?
With around 62 million residents, South Africa accounts for roughly 4.4% of Africa's total population and ranks behind nations like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the continent. Globally it sits at 24th place, comparable in size to countries such as Italy, Tanzania, and Myanmar.
The country spans about 1.22 million square kilometres, which gives it a population density of roughly 51 people per square kilometre. That figure is moderate by world standards, but it masks enormous variation: the densely packed industrial heartland around Johannesburg and Pretoria contrasts sharply with the vast, sparsely settled semi-desert of the Northern Cape, the country's largest province by area yet its smallest by population.
Population Growth and Trends
South Africa's population is growing at an annual rate of about 0.87%, a moderate pace for the African continent, where many countries still expand at well over 2% per year. Several forces explain this comparatively slow growth.
The most significant has been the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which struck South Africa with extraordinary severity. Life expectancy fell from around 62 years in 1990 to a low of roughly 52 years in the mid-2000s. The nationwide rollout of antiretroviral treatment, now one of the largest such programmes in the world, has since lifted life expectancy back to about 65 years. At the same time, the fertility rate has declined to roughly 2.4 children per woman, edging toward the replacement level of 2.1 as urbanisation and rising education spread.
Immigration is an increasingly important driver of growth, with people arriving from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and other neighbouring states in search of work. Demographers project that South Africa's population will reach about 75 million by 2050.
Largest Cities and Urban Population
South Africa is a highly urbanised country, with roughly two-thirds of its people living in towns and cities. Its three largest metropolitan areas dominate the demographic and economic map:
- Johannesburg is the largest city, with around 6 million residents in its metropolitan area. Born of the late-19th-century Witwatersrand gold rush, it is the financial and commercial engine of the entire continent.
- Cape Town, with about 4.7 million metro residents, is the legislative capital and one of Africa's most visited destinations, framed by Table Mountain and two oceans.
- Durban, home to roughly 3.9 million people, is the busiest port in Africa and the largest city on the continent's Indian Ocean coast, with a strong Indian cultural influence.
Beyond these giants, cities such as Pretoria (the administrative capital), Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein anchor important regional populations.
Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity
No single statistic captures South Africa better than its diversity. The population is approximately 81% Black African, 8% Coloured (a term used in South Africa for people of mixed heritage), 8% White, and 3% Indian or Asian. Within the Black African majority lie many distinct nations, including the Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, and others.
This mosaic is reflected in the country's 11 official languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho (Pedi), Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, and Ndebele. Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken first languages, while English serves as the common tongue of business and government. About 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, alongside smaller Muslim, Hindu, and traditional African religious communities.
This diversity coexists with one of the world's highest levels of income inequality, a lasting legacy of the apartheid system that formally ended with the country's first democratic elections in 1994. For more on the nation's geography, economy, and culture, see our south africa country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of South Africa in 2025?
South Africa has an estimated population of about 62 million people in 2025, ranking it as the 24th most populous country in the world and roughly the fifth most populous in Africa.
What is the largest city in South Africa by population?
Johannesburg is the largest city, with around 6 million people in its metropolitan area. It is also the economic and financial capital of the country, though Pretoria serves as the administrative seat of government.
How many official languages does South Africa have?
South Africa has 11 official languages, among the most of any country in the world. Zulu and Xhosa are the most commonly spoken at home, while English is widely used in commerce, education, and government.
Why is South Africa's population growth relatively slow?
Growth sits at about 0.87% per year, restrained by the long-term impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on life expectancy and by a falling fertility rate that is approaching replacement level as the country urbanises.