Southern Africa Population Pyramid 1988

Southern Africa
1988
Population: 43,465,459

Year

-5 -1   1988  +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 1988

As of 1988, Southern Africa counted 43,465,460 inhabitants. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 37.8%, up from 31,551,701 in 1978.

With a median age of 20.4 years, Southern Africa had a youth dependency ratio of 68.8 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
43,465,460
Median age
20.4
0-14 %
39.1%
65+ %
3.9%
Child dependency
68.8
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.

How many people lived in Southern Africa in 1988?
In 1988, Southern Africa's population was 43,465,460.
How old is the population of Southern Africa?
The median age in Southern Africa is 20.4 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 39.1% 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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