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What is the population of South Africa?

Stats SA estimates South Africa's population at 63 522 380 in mid-2026 (Mid-year population estimates, 2026); Census 2022 counted 62 027 503 people.

Census counts and the latest mid-year estimate
  • Census 2011 (count)51 770 561
  • Census 2022 (count)62 027 503
  • Mid-2026 (estimate)63 522 380

Source: Stats SA, Census 2022 Provinces at a glance (Report no. 03-01-43), Person indicators per municipality, province rows, pages 6, 10, 16, 20, 24, 32, 36, 40, 44. Source released . Checked on SA Data Hub . Original data: Stats SA. Any calculation shown is SA Data Hub's own processing.

Source: Stats SA, Mid-year population estimates, 2026 (P0302), Appendix 1, page 27. Source released . Checked on SA Data Hub . Original data: Stats SA. Any calculation shown is SA Data Hub's own processing.

How this was worked out

The census figures are the sum of the nine province rows in Provinces at a glance. The 2026 figure is the total of Appendix 1 of the mid-year estimates.

They are different measures: Stats SA says "The mid-year estimates are an estimate of the population as of 30 June in a given year" (P0302, page 1). See why the numbers disagree on the methodology page.

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