As of 2022, South Africa's population increased and counted approximately 60.6 million inhabitants in total, of which the majority (roughly 49.1 million) were Black Africans. Individuals with an Indian or Asian background formed the smallest population group, counting approximately 1.56 million people overall. Looking at the population from a regional perspective, Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province of South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of nearly 16 million people.
Increase in number of households
The total number of households increased annually between 2002 and 2022. Between this period, the number of households in South Africa grew by approximately 65 percent. Furthermore, households comprising two to three members were more common in urban areas (39.2 percent) than they were in rural areas (30.6 percent). Households with six or more people, on the other hand, amounted to 19.3 percent in rural areas, being roughly twice as common as those in urban areas.
Main sources of income
The majority of the households in South Africa had salaries or grants as a main source of income in 2019. Roughly 10.7 million drew their income from regular wages, whereas 7.9 million households received social grants paid by the government for citizens in need of state support.
Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Total population in thousands
Black African
49,071
Colored
5,340
White
4,639
Indian/Asian
1,555
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Total population in thousands49,07149,0715,3405,3404,6394,6391,5551,555Black AfricanColoredWhiteIndian/Asian
010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,000
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the source asked people to describe themselves in the census in terms of five racial population groups, including others/unspecified. This is a common way to describe ethnic groups in South Africa
Supplementary notes
The source mentioned that the data is based on mid-year population estimates produced for 2022 using the 2017 series mid-year population estimates.
The source asked people to describe themselves (in the census) in terms of five racial population groups, including others/unspecified. This is a common way to describe ethnic groups in South Africa.
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Statistics South Africa. (July 28, 2022). Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/
Statistics South Africa. "Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups (in 1,000s)." Chart. July 28, 2022. Statista. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/
Statistics South Africa. (2022). Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 17, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/
Statistics South Africa. "Total Population of South Africa in 2022, by Ethnic Groups (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Jul 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/
Statistics South Africa, Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/ (last visited February 17, 2025)
Total population of South Africa in 2022, by ethnic groups (in 1,000s) [Graph], Statistics South Africa, July 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116076/total-population-of-south-africa-by-population-group/
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