South America Population Pyramid 1987

South America
1987
Population: 279,159,542

Year

-5 -1   1987  +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 1987

The population of South America in 1987 was 279,159,542. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 24.1%, up from 224,941,100 in 1977.

With a median age of 21.9 years, South America had a youth dependency ratio of 61.4 and an old-age dependency ratio of 7.5 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
279,159,542
Median age
21.9
0-14 %
36.3%
65+ %
4.5%
Child dependency
61.4
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.

What was the population of South America in 1987?
In 1987, South America's population was 279,159,542.
What is the median age in South America?
South America's median age is 21.9 years.
What share of South America's population is over 65 or under 15?
4.5% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 36.3% 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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