South America Population Pyramid 1980

South America
1980
Population: 240,599,581

Year

-5 -1   1980  +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 1980

In 1980, South America had a total population of 240,599,581 people. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 25.4%, up from 191,855,062 in 1970.

With a median age of 20.6 years, South America had a youth dependency ratio of 65.9 and an old-age dependency ratio of 7.3 per 100 people of working age. 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
240,599,581
Median age
20.6
0-14 %
38.1%
65+ %
4.2%
Child dependency
65.9
Old-age dependency
7.3
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 1980?
South America had a population of 240,599,581 in 1980.
How old is the population of South America?
The median age in South America is 20.6 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in South America?
4.2% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 38.1% is under 15.
What type of population pyramid does South America have?
South America's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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