South America Population Pyramid 1981

South America
1981
Population: 246,004,123

Year

-5 -1   1981  +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 1981

In 1981, South America had a total population of 246,004,124 people. That is 25.3% more than in 1971, when the population stood at 196,342,334.

With a median age of 20.7 years, South America had a youth dependency ratio of 65.2 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
246,004,124
Median age
20.7
0-14 %
37.8%
65+ %
4.2%
Child dependency
65.2
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 1981?
South America had a population of 246,004,124 in 1981.
How old is the population of South America?
South America's median age is 20.7 years.
What share of South America's population is over 65 or under 15?
4.2% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 37.8% is under 15.
What shape is South America's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
South America's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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