Southern Africa Population Pyramid 1978

Southern Africa
1978
Population: 31,551,701

Year

-5 -1   1978  +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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Southern Africa in 1978

In 1978, Southern Africa had a total population of 31,551,701 people. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 33.6%, up from 23,624,045 in 1968.

With a median age of 19.0 years, Southern Africa had a youth dependency ratio of 77.0 and an old-age dependency ratio of 6.9 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
31,551,701
Median age
19.0
0-14 %
41.9%
65+ %
3.7%
Child dependency
77.0
Old-age dependency
6.9
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)

2,829,624 immigrants live in Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe1,156,709
Mozambique423,035
Lesotho238,375
Malawi222,490
Ethiopia104,663
Where emigrants live (2024)

1,320,086 people born in Southern Africa live in other countries.

South Africa289,297
United Kingdom245,446
Australia217,589
United States of America161,507
New Zealand101,970
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Immigration statistics

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

What was the population of Southern Africa in 1978?
In 1978, Southern Africa's population was 31,551,701.
How old is the population of Southern Africa?
Southern Africa's median age is 19.0 years.
What share of Southern Africa's population is over 65 or under 15?
3.7% of Southern Africa's population is 65 or older, and 41.9% is under 15.
What type of population pyramid does Southern Africa have?
Southern Africa's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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