South Africa vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Population ages 15-64, total
South Africa
43.63 million
in 2025
Sub-Saharan Africa
745.25 million
in 2025
South Africa rank
22nd
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
19th
Population ages 15-64, total over time
- South Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa
How they compare
Sub-Saharan Africa currently reports 745.25 million against 43.63 million in South Africa, a difference of 701.62 million.
That makes Sub-Saharan Africa's figure about 17.1 times South Africa's.
Across all 66 years both countries report, Sub-Saharan Africa has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 22nd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 19th of 218 countries.
Sub-Saharan Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 10.28 million | 136.19 million | 125.91 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 1970s | 13.81 million | 173.50 million | 159.69 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 1980s | 19.58 million | 229.61 million | 210.04 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 1990s | 25.81 million | 305.82 million | 280.01 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2000s | 31.19 million | 406.61 million | 375.42 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2010s | 36.95 million | 545.03 million | 508.08 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2020s | 42.20 million | 692.69 million | 650.49 million | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population ages 15-64, total, South Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Sub-Saharan Africa, at 745.25 million against 43.63 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population ages 15-64, total between South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 701.62 million, with Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for population ages 15-64, total?
- South Africa ranks 22nd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 19th of 218 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as Population ages 15-64, total. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Total population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.