Southern Africa Population Pyramid 1985

Southern Africa
1985
Population: 39,591,502

Year

-5 -1   1985  +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 1985

As of 1985, Southern Africa counted 39,591,503 inhabitants. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 36.5%, up from 29,013,667 in 1975.

With a median age of 20.0 years, Southern Africa had a youth dependency ratio of 71.1 and an old-age dependency ratio of 7.0 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
39,591,503
Median age
20.0
0-14 %
39.9%
65+ %
3.9%
Child dependency
71.1
Old-age dependency
7.0
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
Explore
Immigration statistics

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

What was the population of Southern Africa in 1985?
Southern Africa had a population of 39,591,503 in 1985.
How old is the population of Southern Africa?
The median age in Southern Africa is 20.0 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in Southern Africa?
3.9% of Southern Africa's population is 65 or older, and 39.9% is under 15.
What shape is Southern Africa's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
Southern Africa's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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