South America Population Pyramid 1986

South America
1986
Population: 273,653,655

Year

-5 -1   1986  +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 1986

In 1986, South America had a total population of 273,653,656 people. That is 24.4% more than in 1976, when the population stood at 219,942,994.

Half of the population was younger than 21.7 years; 36.6% were children under 15 and 4.4% were 65 or older. 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
273,653,656
Median age
21.7
0-14 %
36.6%
65+ %
4.4%
Child dependency
62.0
Old-age dependency
7.5
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.

How many people lived in South America in 1986?
In 1986, South America's population was 273,653,656.
How old is the population of South America?
South America's median age is 21.7 years.
How many children and older people live in South America?
4.4% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 36.6% 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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