South Africa Population Live (2026)
The live population of South Africa, updated every second — with births today, deaths today, growth rate and key facts about one of the most interesting countries on Earth.
South Africa has an estimated population of about 62.0 million people in 2026 — 0.75% of the roughly 8.25 billion people on Earth, and the 23rd largest of the 72 countries tracked on LiveHumans. The counter above starts from our 1 January 2026 estimate and adds births and subtracts deaths every second, using South Africa's latest birth rate (19.9 per 1,000 people a year) and death rate (9.7 per 1,000).
Is the population of South Africa growing?
Yes. Around 3,382 babies are born in South Africa every day — about 141 an hour — while around 1,648 people die. That leaves a natural increase of roughly 1,733 people a day, or about 632,681 a year: a growth rate of 1.02% before migration. If that rate held steady, it would take about 69 years for the population to double — though in most countries growth slows over time as families get smaller.
A birth rate of 19.9 per 1,000 people is close to the world average of about 16.9. Family sizes have been falling, but there are still many young adults of child-bearing age. It ranks 15th of 72 for birth rate on LiveHumans.
These figures count births and deaths only. Migration moves South Africa's real population up or down each year, which is why official census figures can differ from our estimate.
Births and deaths in South Africa
| Period | Births | Deaths | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per minute | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Per hour | 141 | 69 | 72 |
| Per day | 3,382 | 1,648 | 1,733 |
| Per week | 23,672 | 11,539 | 12,134 |
| Per year | 1,234,347 | 601,667 | 632,681 |
How crowded is South Africa?
With about 62.0 million people living on 1,221,037 km², South Africa has roughly 50.8 people per square kilometre. That is below the world average of about 61 per km², so there is more land per person than in crowded countries such as Bangladesh, the Netherlands or India.
Life expectancy in South Africa
A baby born in South Africa today can expect to live about 64.9 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3. That is below the world average (67th of 72), mostly because more children die young and access to healthcare is more limited than in richer countries. Want a personal estimate? Try our life expectancy calculator.
Income and population
With GDP of about $6,193 per person (47th of 72), South Africa is a middle-income country that is part-way through the demographic transition: death rates have already fallen a lot, and birth rates are following.
South Africa at a glance
| Fact | Value | Rank (of 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026 est.) | 62,027,503 | 23 |
| Births per day | 3,382 | 20 |
| Deaths per day | 1,648 | 21 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 19.9 | 15 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.7 | 18 |
| Natural growth rate | 1.02% / year | 26 |
| Life expectancy | 64.9 years | 67 |
| Population density | 50.8 / km² | 51 |
| GDP per person | $6,193 | 47 |
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | — |
| Capital | Pretoria | — |
| Languages | 11 official langs | — |
| Currency | South African Rand (R) | — |
Compare with other countries
See all countries on our population by country page, or watch the whole planet on the live world population counter.
How we calculate South Africa's live population
No country counts its people every second, so this page is an estimate. We start from a population figure for 1 January 2026 based on United Nations and World Bank data, then use South Africa's crude birth rate and crude death rate — the number of births and deaths per 1,000 people per year — to work out how many people are born and die each second. The counter simply adds those up in real time. Because migration is not included, and because rates change from year to year, treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of South Africa in 2026?
The population of South Africa in 2026 is estimated at about 62.0 million people, which is around 0.75% of the world's population. The live counter on this page adds births and subtracts deaths every second.
How many babies are born in South Africa every day?
About 3,382 babies are born in South Africa every day — roughly 141 per hour, or 1.2 million per year — based on a birth rate of 19.9 per 1,000 people.
How many people die in South Africa every day?
About 1,648 people die in South Africa every day — roughly 69 per hour, or 601,667 per year — based on a death rate of 9.7 per 1,000 people.
Is the population of South Africa growing or shrinking?
Growing. Births exceed deaths by about 1,733 people a day, a natural growth rate of 1.02% a year before migration.
What is the life expectancy in South Africa?
Life expectancy at birth in South Africa is about 64.9 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3 years.
How accurate is this South Africa population counter?
It is a statistical estimate, not a live headcount. We start from a 1 January 2026 population estimate based on UN and World Bank data and apply South Africa's annual birth and death rates second by second. Migration is not included, so official figures may differ slightly.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Estimates based on UN World Population Prospects and World Bank data.