In 2017 South Africa was home to an estimated 56.5-million people. Black South Africans were the majority at 45.7-million – 80.8% of the total. There were 5-million coloured people (8.7%), 4.5-million whites (7.9%) and 1.4-million Indian South Africans (2.6%).
READ MORE: South Africa’s population
These numbers come from the 2017 edition of the mid-year population estimates produced annually by Statistics South Africa, the country’s state statistics agency.
The 2017 estimates suggest that the racial profile of South Africa has shifted since the country held its most recent census, in 2011.
Over the six years from 2011 to 2017 the percentage of black people has increased. The percentage of coloured and Indian South Africans has roughly stayed the same. The percentage of white people has decreased.
Census 2011 recorded South Africa’s population at 51.8-million, up from the Census 2001 count of 44.8-million.
In 2011, black South Africans made up 79.2% of the population, coloured and white people each 8.9%, the Indian or Asian population 2.5%, and “other” people – who did not want to be categorised by race – 0.5% of the total.
READ MORE: Infographic: Census counts of South Africa’s population
Researched, written and designed by Mary Alexander.
Updated 8 June 2018.
Categories: Infographics, People
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