Media Release                                                                                                                                                          30 July 2024

                                                                     2024 Mid-year population estimates

South Africa’s mid-year population is estimated to have increased to 63,02 million in 2024, with the female population accounting for 51,0% (approximately 32,13 million) of the population, this is according to the report released by Statistics South Africa today.

Gauteng continues to record the largest share of the South African population, with approximately 15,83 million people (25,1%) living in this province. KwaZulu-Natal is the province with the second largest population, with an estimated 12,34 million people (19,6%) living in this province. With a population of approximately 1,36 million people (2,2%), Northern Cape remains the province with the smallest share of the South African population.

According to the report, 27,5% of the population is aged younger than 15 years (16,8 million) and approximately 9,7% (6,13 million) is 60 years or older. The provinces reflecting the highest percentage of children younger than 15 within its structure are Limpopo (33,2%) and EC (31,8%). The proportion of elderly persons aged 60 years and older in South Africa is increasing over time and as such policies and programmes to care for the needs of this growing population should be prioritised.

The report further shows that life expectancy at birth for 2024 is estimated at 63,6 years for males and 69,2 years for females.

The infant mortality rate for 2024 is estimated at 22,9 per 1 000 live births.

The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 12,7% among the South African population. The total number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is estimated at approximately 8,0 million in 2024. For adults aged 15–49 years, an estimated 16,7% of the population is HIV positive.

For the period 2021–2026, Gauteng and Western Cape are estimated to experience the largest inflow of migrants of approximately, 1 401 895 and 491 296 respectively.

There is a reduction in international migration, which is indicative of the COVID-19 travel restrictions and subsequent impact on migratory patterns since March 2020. Migration is an important demographic process, as it shapes the age structure and distribution of the national and provincial population

Ends/

For technical inquiries contact:

Mr Iturralde Diego

Chief Director: Demography and Population Statistics

Tel: 012 310 8922: Cell: 0824132661: Email: Diegol@statssa.gov.za

Ms Chantal Munthree

Director: Demography and Population Statistics

Tel: 012 310 3431 Cell: 0828882289 Email: chantalMu@statssa.gov.za

For media inquiries contact:

Felicia Sithole

Tel:012 339 2401 Cell: 0764300693 Email: Felicias@statssa.gov.za