Black African are the major ethnic group in South Africa

Black Africans make up 81.1% of South Africa’s total population and are the largest ethnic group of the four ethnic groups in the country.

South Africa, officially Republic of South Africa and formerly Union of South Africa, is the southernmost country on the African continent. The country has a population of 60,970,000 people, with over three-fourths of its population being black Africans.

Many South Africans continue to classify themselves and each other as belonging to one of the four defined race groups - Black, Whites, Colored or Mixed and Indians.

Breakdown and Key metrics

As of 2021, South Africa’s population increased with the number of inhabitants in the country surpassing the 60 million mark, of which the majority were Black Africans.

According to Statista, Black Africans in South Africa number at least 48.6 million; more than half of the total population in South Africa.

Other races accounted for the remaining 12.3 million people, of which 5.2 million people are coloured or mixed race, 4.6 million people are white. Individuals with an Indian or Asian background formed the smallest population group, counting approximately 1.54 million people overall.

In 2020, South Africa’s population was approximately 59.4 million, with most of the country’s population inhabiting Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, and the Western-Eastern Cape. Gauteng (includes Johannesburg) is the smallest province of South Africa, though highly urbanized with a population of just over 15 million people, according to the estimates.

Cape Town is the largest city in South Africa, with nearly 3.5 million inhabitants in 2021, while Durban had 3.12 million citizens.

Other Insight

High rate of young population

South Africa has a sizable population of young people. In 2019, approximately 37% of the people were 19 years or younger. Those aged 60 or older, make up 8.5% of the total population. By marital status, approximately half of the males and females were single in 2019. 30.3% of the men were married, whereas nearly 27% of the women walked down the aisle.

Youth unemployment

Youth unemployment fluctuated heavily between 1999 and 2020. In 2003, the unemployment rate stood at 61%, followed by a significant decrease to 44.83% in 2008. However, it grew again and as of 2020, 55.75% of the youth were unemployed.

Takeaway

South Africa has witnessed racial conflict over the past few years. A report released by the Institute of Race Relations in 2017 assessed public attitude towards racism, empowerment and other policy issues. It showed that at least 70% believed that race relations had improved as far back as 1994. 80% of the public believed that different races need each other to move South Africa forward.