Population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa
South Africa: Population ages 65 and above, total was 4.46 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.46 million
Change on year
up 4.1%
World rank
31st
of 217 countries
All-time high
4.46 million
in 2025
All-time low
557,819
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
In 2025, population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa stood at 4.46 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.1% on the previous year and up 46.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa peaked at 4.46 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 557,819, in 1960.
That places South Africa 31st out of 217 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 557,819 | — |
| 1961 | 571,120 | +2.4% |
| 1962 | 587,361 | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 606,359 | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 627,809 | +3.5% |
| 1965 | 651,613 | +3.8% |
| 1966 | 677,553 | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 705,477 | +4.1% |
| 1968 | 735,099 | +4.2% |
| 1969 | 765,933 | +4.2% |
| 1970 | 797,426 | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 828,510 | +3.9% |
| 1972 | 859,201 | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 890,195 | +3.6% |
| 1974 | 921,386 | +3.5% |
| 1975 | 952,899 | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 984,688 | +3.3% |
| 1977 | 1.02 million | +3.3% |
| 1978 | 1.05 million | +3.3% |
| 1979 | 1.08 million | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 1.12 million | +3.6% |
| 1981 | 1.17 million | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 1.22 million | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 1.27 million | +4.5% |
| 1984 | 1.33 million | +4.7% |
| 1985 | 1.39 million | +4.3% |
| 1986 | 1.44 million | +3.7% |
| 1987 | 1.49 million | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 1.54 million | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 1.58 million | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 1.61 million | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 1.65 million | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 1.69 million | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 1.73 million | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 1.78 million | +3.1% |
| 1995 | 1.87 million | +4.8% |
| 1996 | 1.96 million | +4.8% |
| 1997 | 2.05 million | +4.7% |
| 1998 | 2.12 million | +3.6% |
| 1999 | 2.18 million | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 2.24 million | +2.5% |
| 2001 | 2.29 million | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 2.35 million | +2.4% |
| 2003 | 2.40 million | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 2.46 million | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 2.52 million | +2.5% |
| 2006 | 2.58 million | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 2.63 million | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 2.68 million | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 2.71 million | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 2.75 million | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 2.78 million | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 2.82 million | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 2.89 million | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 2.96 million | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 3.05 million | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 3.13 million | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 3.24 million | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 3.39 million | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 3.54 million | +4.6% |
| 2020 | 3.70 million | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 3.83 million | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 3.97 million | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 4.12 million | +3.8% |
| 2024 | 4.28 million | +4.0% |
| 2025 | 4.46 million | +4.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 648,614 | 557,819 | 765,933 | 10 |
| 1970s | 938,588 | 797,426 | 1.08 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.36 million | 1.12 million | 1.58 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.86 million | 1.61 million | 2.18 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.49 million | 2.24 million | 2.71 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.06 million | 2.75 million | 3.54 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.06 million | 3.70 million | 4.46 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 0-14, female, annual growth rate 0.4769 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, female, per capita 0.1279 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, annual growth rate 0.5816 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, male, per capita 0.1293 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa?
- Population ages 65 and above, total in South Africa was 4.46 million in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest population ages 65 and above, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.46 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population ages 65 and above, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 557,819 in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for population ages 65 and above, total?
- South Africa ranks 31st out of 217 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population ages 65 and above, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 46.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Population ages 65 and above, total. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total population 65 years of age or older. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.