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South Africa: Population ages 65 and above (% of total population)

In , South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) was 6.69.

That's up 2.7% from 2023, the highest value on record.

The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 10.57 . South Africa ranks #126 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #4 of 48.

Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS) • Data as of 2024

Trend (2005–2024)

South Africa Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) trend 2020: COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic

Highlights

Peak
6.69
Trough
5.10
1-year change
+2.7%
5-year change
+12.5%
+2.4% / yr
10-year change
+25.5%
+2.3% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year Population ages 65 and above (% of total population)
6.6905
6.5151
6.3616
6.2346
6.1095
5.9452
5.7766
5.6281
5.4735
5.3696

About Population ages 65 and above (% of total population)

Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

Indicator code: SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZSCategory: Health & Population

Frequently asked questions

What was South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in 2024?
In 2024, South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) was 6.69, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) rising or falling?
South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) rose 2.7% from 2023 to 2024.
How does South Africa rank globally on Population ages 65 and above (% of total population)?
In 2024, South Africa ranked #126 out of 217 countries reporting Population ages 65 and above (% of total population).
How does South Africa's Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) compare to the world average?
The global average for Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in 2024 was 10.57, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #4 of 48.
What is Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) and how is it measured?
Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.
Download this data: CSV JSON

Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS), CC BY 4.0.