South Africa Population Pyramid 1959

South Africa
1959
Population: 16,014,973

Year

-5 -1   1959  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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South Africa in 1959

In 1959, South Africa had a total population of 16,014,974 people. The median age was 19.1 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 77.1 children under 15 and 6.3 people aged 65 or over.

The broad-based, expansive shape of the pyramid points to high fertility and strong population growth.

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Population
16,014,974
Median age
19.1
0-14 %
42.0%
65+ %
3.4%
Child dependency
77.1
Old-age dependency
6.3
Region
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
79,177,328
Population 2100
94,314,448
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234567
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 2.22

In 2023 women in South Africa had on average 2.22 children, above the replacement level of 2.1.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
4050607080
19602023 · 66.1

Life expectancy at birth was 66.1 years in 2023: 69.6 for women and 62.6 for men.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
20406080
19502100
Where immigrants come from (2024)

2,572,289 immigrants live in South Africa, 4.0% of the population.

Zimbabwe1,072,620
Mozambique412,058
Lesotho237,718
Malawi220,437
Ethiopia104,402
Where emigrants live (2024)

1,004,485 people born in South Africa live in other countries.

United Kingdom245,446
Australia213,447
United States of America161,507
New Zealand101,970
Canada52,600
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

Country Population Median age Relative size
South Africa 16,014,974 19.1
Lesotho 714,947 17.5
Namibia 580,920 19.0
Botswana 504,878 18.0
Swaziland 337,509 16.7
How many people lived in South Africa in 1959?
South Africa had a population of 16,014,974 in 1959.
What is the median age in South Africa?
South Africa's median age is 19.1 years.
How many children and older people live in South Africa?
In South Africa, 42.0% of people are under 15 and 3.4% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does South Africa have?
South Africa has an expansive pyramid: a wide base of young cohorts reflecting high fertility and continued population growth.

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