South America Population Pyramid 1997

South America
1997
Population: 332,642,597

Year

-5 -1   1997  +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 1997

The population of South America in 1997 was 332,642,597. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 19.2%, up from 279,159,542 in 1987.

With a median age of 24.1 years, South America had a youth dependency ratio of 52.2 and an old-age dependency ratio of 8.6 per 100 people of working age. This is an expansive pyramid — each cohort of children is larger than the one above it, the signature of high birth rates and rapid 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
332,642,597
Median age
24.1
0-14 %
32.4%
65+ %
5.4%
Child dependency
52.2
Old-age dependency
8.6
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 1997?
South America had a population of 332,642,597 in 1997.
How old is the population of South America?
The median age in South America is 24.1 years — half the population is younger, half older.
What share of South America's population is over 65 or under 15?
5.4% of South America's population is 65 or older, and 32.4% 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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