South Africa’s population has grown to an estimated 63.5 million people in 2026, up from 42.9 million in 2002, despite a steady decline in fertility rates, according to the latest Mid-Year Population Estimates (MYPE) 2026 released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
The country’s population increased by 1.2% between 2025 and 2026, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 1.3% over the past two decades. During the same period, the global population grew from 6.3 billion to 8.3 billion.
Women continue to outnumber men
Although more boys are born than girls, women make up the majority of South Africa’s population because they generally live longer.
Stats SA estimates that women account for 50.9% of the population, or approximately 32.3 million people, in 2026.
Population grows despite smaller families
While South Africans are having fewer children than previous generations, the population continues to grow due to a relatively young population and improved life expectancy.
The report estimates that the average woman will have 2.12 children during her lifetime, close to the replacement level needed to sustain population growth. South Africa’s crude birth rate stands at 17 births per 1,000 people.
Stats SA noted that although fertility continues to decline, the country’s population remains on a sustainable long-term growth path, reflecting a global trend towards smaller families.
South Africans living longer
Life expectancy at birth has increased to 68.3 years, with women expected to live 71 years and men 65.5 years.
The infant mortality rate is estimated at 23.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
HIV prevalence remains high
The report estimates that 7.8 million South Africans are living with HIV in 2026, representing 12.3% of the total population.
Among adults aged 15 to 49, approximately 17% are living with HIV.
Gauteng attracts the most migrants
Migration continues to reshape South Africa’s population, with Gauteng remaining the country’s fastest-growing province.
Between 2021 and 2026, Gauteng recorded an estimated 794,991 migrants, while the Western Cape received approximately 319,053.
Gauteng remains South Africa’s most populous province, with 16.3 million residents, accounting for 25.7% of the national population. KwaZulu-Natal follows with 12.28 million people (19.3%), while the Northern Cape remains the least populated province with 1.38 million residents (2.2%).
South Africa remains a youthful nation
Children under the age of 15 make up 25.6% of the population, or approximately 16.25 million people, while 10.7%, or 6.8 million people, are aged 60 and older.
Limpopo has the highest proportion of children under 15 at 31%, followed by the Eastern Cape at 29.6%. The Eastern Cape also has the country’s largest proportion of elderly residents at 13.2%, followed by the Western Cape at 12.4%.
Releasing the report, Stats SA said: “Statistics South Africa estimates the mid-year population at 63.52 million people. The female population accounts for 50.9%, or approximately 32.3 million, of the population. Life expectancy at birth for 2026 is estimated at 65.5 years for males and 71 years for females, and 68.3 years overall.”
Chief Director for Demographic and Population Statistics Diego Iturralde said migration continues to play a significant role in shaping South Africa’s demographic profile.
“Migration is an important and inevitable demographic process, as it shapes the age structure and distribution of not only the country, but also the provincial populations,” he said.
The next Mid-Year Population Estimates will be released in July 2027.
