South America Population Pyramid 1961

South America
1961
Population: 152,563,289

Year

-5 -1   1961  +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 America in 1961

The population of South America in 1961 was 152,563,290. That is 31.5% more than in 1951, when the population stood at 116,032,006.

The median age was 19.0 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 77.9 children under 15 and 6.1 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
152,563,290
Median age
19.0
0-14 %
42.3%
65+ %
3.3%
Child dependency
77.9
Old-age dependency
6.1
Pyramid shape
Births per woman

The World Bank does not publish this indicator for regions or continents.

Life expectancy at birth

The World Bank does not publish this indicator for regions or continents.

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

12,230,850 immigrants live in South America.

Venezuela6,268,352
Colombia1,317,258
Paraguay587,559
Bolivia561,026
Peru516,754
Where emigrants live (2024)

21,233,109 people born in South America live in other countries.

United States of America4,112,869
Spain3,246,905
Colombia2,951,953
Peru1,719,519
Argentina1,550,287
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Immigration statistics

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

What was the population of South America in 1961?
In 1961, South America's population was 152,563,290.
How old is the population of South America?
The median age in South America is 19.0 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of South America's population is over 65 or under 15?
3.3% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 42.3% is under 15.
What type of population pyramid does South America have?
South America has an expansive pyramid: a wide base of young cohorts reflecting high fertility and continued population growth.

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