Population of South America 2023
South America is a diverse continent, rich in culture, and home to a significant population. As of Monday, November 7, 2022, the current population of South America is estimated to be 439,099,083 by the United Nations, making it one of the most populated regions in the world. We will delve deeper into the population statistics of South America, exploring its population density, urbanization, and more.
South America Population: A Closer Look
As per the latest United Nations estimates, South America’s population represents 5.53% of the total world population. The continent is home to 12 sovereign countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, with a combined land area of 17,461,112 Km2 (6,741,770 sq. miles).
Population Density in South America
With a population density of 25 per Km2 (64 people per mi2), South America is relatively sparsely populated compared to other continents. Despite this, the region still ranks as the most densely populated in Latin America and the Caribbean among subregions ranked by population.
Urbanization in South America
South America is one of the most urbanized regions in the world, with 85.5% of its population living in urban areas. In 2019, this figure amounted to 368,408,682 people. The continent’s largest urban centers include Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima.
Median Age in South America
The median age in South America is 32.1 years, making it one of the youngest continents in the world. This figure reflects the continent’s high birth rate and its large youth population. However, this trend is expected to shift in the coming decades as South America’s population begins to age.
Countries in South America
| Country | Population (2020) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 212,559,417 |
| Colombia | 50,882,891 |
| Argentina | 45,195,774 |
| Peru | 32,971,854 |
| Venezuela | 28,435,940 |
| Chile | 19,116,201 |
| Ecuador | 17,643,054 |
| Bolivia | 11,673,021 |
| Paraguay | 7,132,538 |
| Uruguay | 3,473,730 |
| Guyana | 786,552 |
| Suriname | 586,632 |
| French Guiana | 298,682 |
| Falkland Islands | 3,480 |
South America Population in 2020 and it’s Historical
| Year | Population | Annual % Change |
Annual Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop. % |
Urban Population | South America’s Share of World Pop. |
World Population | South America Rank within Latin America and the Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 430,759,766 | 0.88 % | 3,679,417 | -210,000 | 32.1 | 1.95 | 25 | 85.5 % | 368,408,682 | 5.8 % | 7,794,798,739 | 1 |
| 2020 | 430,759,766 | 0.83 % | 3,560,320 | -210,008 | 30.5 | 2.00 | 25 | 85.5 % | 368,408,682 | 5.5 % | 7,794,798,739 | 1 |
| 2019 | 427,199,446 | 0.85 % | 3,618,368 | -210,008 | 30.5 | 2.00 | 24 | 85.3 % | 364,414,366 | 5.5 % | 7,713,468,100 | |
| 2018 | 423,581,078 | 0.88 % | 3,677,160 | -210,008 | 30.5 | 2.00 | 24 | 85.1 % | 360,352,729 | 5.6 % | 7,631,091,040 | 1 |
| 2017 | 419,903,918 | 0.9 % | 3,739,062 | -210,008 | 30.5 | 2.00 | 24 | 84.8 % | 356,224,855 | 5.6 % | 7,547,858,925 | 1 |
| 2016 | 416,164,856 | 0.92 % | 3,802,175 | -210,008 | 30.5 | 2.00 | 24 | 84.6 % | 352,031,777 | 5.6 % | 7,464,022,049 | 1 |
| 2015 | 412,362,681 | 0.99 % | 3,963,794 | -258,700 | 30.1 | 2.02 | 24 | 84.3 % | 347,768,234 | 5.9 % | 7,379,797,139 | 1 |
| 2010 | 392,543,709 | 1.09 % | 4,147,811 | -389,000 | 28.2 | 2.13 | 22 | 82.9 % | 325,597,221 | 6.0 % | 6,956,823,603 | 1 |
| 2005 | 371,804,655 | 1.31 % | 4,678,554 | -330,000 | 26.5 | 2.36 | 21 | 81.4 % | 302,754,731 | 6.1 % | 6,541,907,027 | 1 |
| 2000 | 348,411,883 | 1.57 % | 5,221,914 | -184,500 | 24.9 | 2.66 | 20 | 79.8 % | 278,161,939 | 6.1 % | 6,143,493,823 | 1 |
| 1995 | 322,302,312 | 1.76 % | 5,380,821 | -185,200 | 23.7 | 2.95 | 18 | 77.3 % | 249,022,277 | 6.1 % | 5,744,212,979 | 1 |
| 1990 | 295,398,205 | 1.97 % | 5,489,271 | -146,300 | 22.6 | 3.30 | 17 | 74.6 % | 220,325,787 | 6.1 % | 5,327,231,061 | 1 |
| 1985 | 267,951,848 | 2.18 % | 5,487,320 | -163,400 | 21.6 | 3.77 | 15 | 71.5 % | 191,480,181 | 6.0 % | 4,870,921,740 | 1 |
| 1980 | 240,515,250 | 2.26 % | 5,076,168 | -226,500 | 20.7 | 4.20 | 14 | 68 % | 163,432,653 | 5.9 % | 4,458,003,514 | 1 |
| 1975 | 215,134,411 | 2.29 % | 4,612,095 | -163,500 | 19.9 | 4.54 | 12 | 64.2 % | 138,054,489 | 5.8 % | 4,079,480,606 | 1 |
| 1970 | 192,073,935 | 2.49 % | 4,450,151 | -126,500 | 19.2 | 5.12 | 11 | 60.2 % | 115,699,584 | 5.8 % | 3,700,437,046 | 1 |
| 1965 | 169,823,181 | 2.69 % | 4,227,498 | -94,200 | 19.1 | 5.58 | 10 | 36.2 % | 61,512,922 | 5.6 % | 3,339,583,597 | 1 |
| 1960 | 148,685,693 | 2.7 % | 3,713,098 | -48,300 | 19.4 | 5.63 | 9 | 51.8 % | 77,018,596 | 5.4 % | 3,034,949,748 | 1 |
| 1955 | 130,120,202 | 2.72 % | 3,270,999 | 70,700 | 19.8 | 5.62 | 7 | 47.3 % | 61,512,922 | 5.1 % | 2,773,019,936 | 1 |
Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant.
South America Population Future Forecast
| Year | Population | Annual % Change |
Annual Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop. % |
Urban Population | South America’s Share of World Pop. |
World Population | South America Rank within Latin America and the Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 430,759,766 | 0.88 % | 3,679,417 | -210,000 | 32.1 | 1.95 | 25 | 85.5 % | 368,408,682 | 5.8 % | 7,794,798,739 | 1 |
| 2025 | 447,509,559 | 0.77 % | 3,349,959 | -32,000 | 33.9 | 1.96 | 26 | 86.5 % | 387,287,563 | 5.7 % | 8,184,437,460 | 1 |
| 2030 | 461,853,870 | 0.63 % | 2,868,862 | 14,400 | 35.7 | 1.97 | 26 | 87.5 % | 404,258,259 | 5.6 % | 8,548,487,400 | 1 |
| 2035 | 473,256,073 | 0.49 % | 2,280,441 | -35,400 | 37.5 | 1.97 | 27 | 88.6 % | 419,148,163 | 5.3 % | 8,887,524,213 | 1 |
| 2040 | 481,836,850 | 0.36 % | 1,716,155 | -49,300 | 39.2 | 1.98 | 28 | 89.6 % | 431,887,607 | 5.4 % | 9,198,847,240 | 1 |
| 2045 | 487,829,396 | 0.25 % | 1,198,509 | -48,500 | 40.8 | 1.99 | 28 | 90.7 % | 442,400,549 | 5.3 % | 9,481,803,274 | 1 |
| 2050 | 491,471,897 | 0.15 % | 728,500 | -47,700 | 42.1 | 2.00 | 28 | 91.7 % | 450,619,257 | 5.2 % | 9,735,033,990 | 1 |
Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant.
Understanding the Demographics of South America: Key Terms Explained
Population
Population refers to the overall total number of individuals residing in a specific area or region, regardless of age or sex. In South America, the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provides an estimated count of the population for each sub-region as of July 1 of the year indicated. The most recent data available is from the World Population Prospects of 2019.
Yearly (Annual) % Change
The yearly % change is the percentage of the total population increase or decrease over the past year, from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For instance, the yearly % change for 2019 indicates the percentage change in total population from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. For all other years, the yearly % change is calculated by assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five-year period and is calculated through reverse compounding.
Yearly (Annual) Change
The yearly change represents the absolute increase or decrease in the total population of a region in a given year. It is calculated as the average annual numerical change over the preceding five-year period. For instance, the yearly change for 2019 indicates the absolute change in the total population from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
Median Age
Median age is the age that divides the population into two numerically equal groups, where half of the people are older than the median age indicated, and half are younger. This parameter provides an indication of age distribution. In South America, the median age was estimated at 31.6 years as of July 1, 2019.
Fertility Rate
Fertility rate refers to the average number of children an average woman will have during her reproductive period based on the current fertility rates of every age group in the countries within South America. It is expressed as children per woman and is calculated assuming that the woman is not subject to mortality. As of July 1
Population Density: How Crowded is South America?
Population density is a measure of how many people live in a given area, usually expressed as the number of individuals per square kilometer. In South America, the population density varies widely depending on the country and the region. For example, while some areas of Brazil have a density of over 250 people per square kilometer, the Amazon rainforest has a density of less than one person per square kilometer. Overall, South America’s population density is 25 people per square kilometer, which is relatively low compared to other regions of the world.
Urbanization: How Many People Live in Cities?
Urbanization is the process by which people move from rural areas to urban areas, seeking better economic opportunities, education, and quality of life. In South America, urbanization has been a major trend over the past century, with the majority of the population now living in cities. As of 2021, the urban population of South America is 84%, which is higher than the world average of 56%. The countries with the highest levels of urbanization are Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, while Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname have the lowest levels.
World Ranking: How Does South America Compare to Other Regions?
South America is home to approximately 430 million people, which represents about 5.5% of the world’s total population. As of 2021, South America ranks fourth among the world’s continents in terms of population, behind Asia, Africa, and Europe. Within Latin America and the Caribbean region, South America is the most populous, accounting for 68% of the total population. Brazil is the most populous country in South America, with over 213 million inhabitants, followed by Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.