Statistics South Africa reports that the total population increased to 62,027,503 in 2022. The release says the Black African population remains dominant at 81.4%, followed by the coloured population at 8.2%, the white population at 7.3%, and the Indian/Asian population remained below 3% across the censuses.

Statistics South Africa explains that a population census collects demographic, economic, and social data for all persons in a country at a specified time. The page also notes that South Africa conducted censuses in 1996, 2001, 2011, and 2022.

According to Census 2022, South Africa’s population is 62,0 million. Black Africans remain the dominant population group at 81,4%, followed by coloured at 8,2%, white at 7,3% and Indian/Asian at 2,7%. In absolute numbers, the Indian/Asian population is about 1,7 million people in 2022.

The article states: "South Africa’s mid-year population is estimated at 63,1 million in 2025, according to the latest figures." It continues: "The white population is estimated at 4,5 million, while 5,3 million people identify as coloured and 1,6 million as Indian or Asian." No separate figure is given for the Venda; they are part of the broader Black African category.

Stats SA states that population estimates are produced using Census 2011 and Census 2022 data. The page also says these products provide insights into age and sex structure as well as population group dynamics.

According to the mid-year population estimates for 2024, South Africa is home to 63,015,904 people. Black Africans constitute 81,7% of the population, coloured people 8,5%, white people 7,2% and Indian/Asian people 2,6%. In 2024 the Indian/Asian population is estimated at approximately 1,6 million people.

Table 2.3 of the Census in Brief shows that in 2011, the **Indian/Asian** population of South Africa was **1,286,930** persons, representing 2.5% of the total 51.7 million population. The publication notes that the population group categories are Black African, Coloured, Indian/Asian and White, and that more detailed ethnic distinctions (such as Venda, Zulu, Xhosa) fall within the Black African population group rather than being reported as separate national categories.

Statistics South Africa’s census dissemination site is the official portal for Census 2022 outputs and data products. It is the appropriate source for finding detailed tables if a user needs a breakdown beyond the headline population-group release.

The 2025 mid-year population estimates put South Africa’s total population at about 63,9 million. By population group, 81,6% are black African, 8,5% coloured, 7,2% white and 2,6% Indian/Asian. This equates to an estimated Indian/Asian population of roughly 1,65 million people in 2025.

In the national population group table, Census 2011 records the **Indian/Asian** population as **1.29 million** (1,286,930) out of a total population of 51,770,560. The release emphasizes that these are broad population groups, and that smaller African ethnic groups such as the Venda people are included within the Black African population group and are not given separate national population totals in this report.

The Census 2022 statistical release reiterates that the Indian/Asian population is less than 3% of the national total, while Black Africans make up 81.4%. It provides the official national baseline for population-group comparisons.

Summarising Statistics South Africa’s 2024 mid-year population estimates, the page notes: "South Africa is home to 63,015,904 people. Black people are in the majority, with a population of 51.5 million – 81.7% of the total." It then specifies: "The remaining 18.3% is made up of 5.3 million coloured people (8.5%), 1.6 million Indian/Asian people (2.6%) and 4.5 million white people (7.2%)." Venda people are listed only as one of the groups within the Black African population, not as a separate counted category.

Describing Statistics South Africa’s mid-year population estimates 2013, the document states that the total population was 52 982 000 and that "The black African population group are in the majority (42,28 million) and constitute almost 80% of the total South African population." It further notes: "The white population is estimated at 4,60 million, the coloured population at 4,77 million and the Indian/Asian population at 1,33 million." Earlier in the text, Venda is mentioned as one of several groups making up the Black African population: "The South African population consists of the Nguni ... Sotho-Tswana ... Tsonga and Venda; ... Indian/Asian; and those who have immigrated ..." indicating Venda are a subgroup within the much larger Black African total rather than a separately enumerated national-level category.

The section on the Venda states: "The Venda (also VaVenda) population of about **600,000 people** coalesced into an identifiable social unit in the area of the northern Transvaal and in Zimbabwe over several centuries." It further explains that the Venda are one of the smaller northern Sotho-related groups in northern South Africa, with their population concentrated in the former Venda homeland and adjacent areas.

The official government overview explains that: "According to Statistics South Africa’s mid-year population estimates, black African people make up the majority of the population, followed by coloured, white and Indian/Asian people." It notes that the population "consists of various groups such as the Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi), Sotho-Tswana (Southern, Northern and Western Sotho), Tsonga and Venda;" together with other groups, making clear that Venda are one of many ethnic groups within the broader Black African majority while Indian/Asian are a separate, smaller population category at the national level.

South African History Online notes that "According to the 2011 national census, 2.5% of South Africa's population identified as Indian or Asian." It explains that this group "numbered approximately 1.3 million people" at that time and that they are overwhelmingly concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal. The article separately describes Venda as an African ethnic group in other entries, reflecting that Venda people are one of the smaller Black African ethnic groups, not a national category comparable in size to the Indian/Asian grouping.

In 2022, individuals with an Indian or Asian background formed the smallest of the four main population groups, counting approximately 1,56 million people overall. Black Africans numbered about 50,2 million, coloured people 5,2 million, and white people 4,6 million. The data are based on mid-year population estimates for 2022 produced by Statistics South Africa.

In Limpopo province, 2 630 464 people reported Tshivenda as their home language in Census 2011, representing 52,9% of the provincial population. Tshivenda speakers are largely associated with the Venda people, who are concentrated in the Vhembe District of Limpopo.

Census 2011 recorded 2,4% of the South African population as speaking Tshivenda as their home language, which corresponds to just over 1,2 million people at the time. Tshivenda is predominantly spoken by the Venda people in Limpopo. By comparison, the Indian/Asian population comprised 2,5% of the national population in 2011, or about 1,3 million people.

Post‑apartheid censuses (1996, 2001, 2011 and 2022) consistently report South Africa’s **Indian/Asian** population in the range of roughly **1 to 1.6 million** people, growing slowly over time. These figures are nationally aggregated and widely cited in demographic overviews of South Africa.

A descriptive article on the Venda notes: "Today's spotlight is on the Venda people, who occupy the northeastern corner of South Africa, bordering southern Zimbabwe... The **1,000,000 strong Venda** have a unique and complex belief system". The piece portrays the Venda as a relatively small ethnic group in northeastern South Africa with an estimated population of about one million people, not a multi‑million national community.