Largest population
South Africa has 65,453,084 people in the 2026 medium projection.
Southern Africa population pyramid 2026
74,868,913 people in 2026 (projected), a UN subregion of Africa with 5 countries and areas.
- 2026 population
- 74.9Mmedium projection
- Median age
- 28.1 years
- Under age 15
- 26.6%
- Age 65+
- 6.7%
Southern Africa population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Medium projection
Southern Africa population pyramid for 2026: males on the left and females on the right
100+
95–99
90–94
85–89
80–84
75–79
70–74
65–69
60–64
55–59
50–54
45–49
40–44
35–39
30–34
25–29
20–24
15–19
10–14
5–9
0–4
Hover over or tap a bar to see exact values.
Estimate or projection?
The UN series provides historical estimates through 2023. Figures from 2024 onward—including 2026—are medium-scenario projections, not counts or predictions guaranteed to occur.
Southern Africa age structure
In 2026, children under 15 make up 26.6% of Southern Africa’s projected population, compared with 6.7% aged 65 or older. The conventional working-age group, 15–64, accounts for 66.7%.
By 2050, the medium scenario places the population at 91,625,466—a 22% increase from 2026. The 65+ share is projected to reach 10.7%.
Births, deaths, and migration in Southern Africa
The subregion is projected to record 1,391,989 births and 678,301 deaths in 2026, a natural increase of 713,688, with net migration of +117,192. Births outnumber deaths in every remaining year of the medium scenario through 2100. Between 2000 and 2023, cumulative net migration was +2,665,419.
Annual values; dashed lines after 2023 are the UN medium projection.
Mid-year population for every year; the medium scenario reaches 91.6M in 2050.
Demographic contrasts within Southern Africa
A regional pyramid is an aggregate, not a description of every country. The profiles within Southern Africa range from a median age of 21.5 years in Namibia to 28.9 years in South Africa. Those age structures imply different balances of schools, working-age cohorts, and older-age services.
Youngest median age
Namibia has a median age of 21.5 years and 36.3% under 15.
Fastest 2026 growth
Namibia has projected annual growth of +1.9%.
Countries and areas in Southern Africa
| Rank | Country or area | 2026 population | Median age | Under 15 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 65,453,084 | 28.9 | 25.6% | 7.1% |
| 2 | Namibia | 3,153,246 | 21.5 | 36.3% | 3.9% |
| 3 | Botswana | 2,603,388 | 23.7 | 31.8% | 4.1% |
| 4 | Lesotho | 2,389,336 | 22.1 | 33.6% | 3.9% |
| 5 | Eswatini | 1,269,859 | 22.7 | 32.6% | 4.4% |
Source and interpretation
Regional age groups and totals come directly from the UN WPP 2024 medium series. Country groupings follow the UN M49 regions and subregions used in the source; territories and statistical areas may appear separately. Projection results depend on future fertility, mortality, and migration assumptions.
Questions about Southern Africa
What is the population of Southern Africa in 2026?
The UN WPP 2024 medium scenario projects Southern Africa's 2026 population at 74,868,913.
Which is the most populous country or area in Southern Africa?
South Africa is the largest profile in this regional directory, with a projected 2026 population of 65,453,084.
Is Southern Africa's population projected to grow by 2050?
The medium scenario shows a 22.4% increase between 2026 and 2050.