South Africa’s latest population estimates show that the country’s demographic profile continues to evolve, with the proportion of white residents falling to 7.1% of the national population in 2026.
The figures, published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in its Mid-Year Population Estimates released on 30 July, indicate that the country’s population has grown to an estimated 63.52 million people.
While every major population group recorded long-term growth in overall national numbers, the white population remains the only group whose total population has declined over recent decades.
Population growth continues as demographics shift
According to Stats SA, South Africa’s Black African population is estimated at 51.92 million, representing approximately 82% of the country’s total population.
The coloured population stands at about 5.36 million, while the white population is estimated at 4.50 million. The Indian and Asian population is estimated at 1.72 million.
The latest report highlights a significant demographic trend: the white population has decreased from approximately 5.2 million in 1995 to around 4.5 million in 2026.
Statistics cited in the report indicate that South Africa has experienced a net migration loss of about 503,562 white residents over the past 25 years, with emigration identified as a major contributing factor to the decline.
Despite the reduction in white population numbers, South Africa’s overall population has continued to expand steadily due to natural population growth and increases in other demographic groups.
Long-term demographic changes
The report also illustrates how South Africa’s population composition has changed over more than a century.
When the Union of South Africa was established in 1910, the country’s population totalled approximately 5.8 million people, of whom about 1.25 million were white. At the time, white residents represented around 21.5% of the population.
By 1961, when South Africa became a republic, the white population had increased to approximately 3.1 million. However, the country’s total population had expanded even faster to roughly 16 million, reducing the white share to about 19.3%.
Demographic changes accelerated during the late twentieth century. By South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, white residents accounted for approximately 13% of the national population.
The latest estimates show that continued overall population growth, combined with long-term emigration, has reduced the white share of South Africa’s population to 7.1% in 2026.
Stats SA’s annual population estimates are widely used by government departments, researchers and policymakers for planning public services, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development.
The report reflects long-term demographic trends and does not assess the social, economic or political factors influencing migration or population change.
Source: Statistics South Africa (Mid-Year Population Estimates 2026).