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south america population

South American Population 2023

As per United Nations, In 1950 the population of South America was estimated at around 113 million people. It reached 300 million in 1990 and 400 million in 2012. The South American population is expected to be around 500 million by 2050.

As per the United Nations population studies, the estimated Europe population in 2022 is 436,816,607 (436 million or 43.6 Crores).  85.5 % of the population is urban and the median age in South America is 32.1 years.

South American population in 2023: 439 million or 43.9 Crore

Source: UN  world population prospects report 2022

List of South American Countries

5.53 % of the world population lives in South America (439 Million). Brazil (215 million) is by far the most populous South American country, with more than half of the continent’s population, followed by Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.   

Let’s have a look at the Country-wise population of South America

#CountryPopulation 2022 (UN Estimates)
1Brazil215,313,498
2Colombia51,874,024
3Argentina45,510,318
4Peru34,049,588
5Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 28,301,696
6Chile19,603,733
8Ecuador18,001,000
7Bolivia 12,224,110
9Paraguay6,780,744
10Uruguay3,422,793
11Guyana808,726
12Suriname618,041
14French Guiana*304,557
13Falkland Islands*3,779

Source: UN World Population Prospects 

*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK & French Guiana is of France

List of Top South American Countries by Land Area

South America ranks fourth in area (after Asia, Africa, and North America) and fifth in population (after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America). The total land area is 17,840,000 square kilometres (6,890,000 sq mi) or 12.0 %  of land area,  & Population Density is 25 per Km2 (64 people per mi2).

There are 12 Countries + 2 Overseas Territory ( Falkland Island & French Guinea) in South America of which Brazil is the largest and most populous, covering approx. 47.3% of the continent’s land area and encompassing around half of the continent’s population. The population density in South America is 25 per Km2 (64 people per mi2).

Largest & Smallest Country by Area
AreawiseCountryArea (sq.km)
Largest by AreaBrazil83,58,140 Km2
Smallest  by AreaSuriname 1,56,000 Km2
Largest & Smallest Country by Density
Density wiseCountryDensity (P/Km2)
Highest Population DensityEcuador71 (p/km2)
least population DensitySuriname 4 (p/km2)

*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK 

#CountryArea (sqkm2)Density (p/km2)
1Brazil83,58,14025
2Argentina27,36,69017
3Peru12,80,00026
4Colombia11,09,50046
5Bolivia10,83,30011
6Venezuela8,82,05032
7Chile7,43,53226
8Paraguay3,97,30018
9Ecuador2,48,36071
10Guyana1,96,8504
11Uruguay1,75,02020
12Suriname1,56,0004
13French Guiana*82,2004
14Falkland Islands*12,1700

*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK & French Guiana is of France

South American Countries by Fertility Rate & Median Age

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of South America is 1.95

  • Bolivia is the country with the highest Fertility rate of 2.8
  • French Guiana has Fertility rate of 3.4*
  • Brazil & Chile has the lowest rate i.e 1.7

The median age in South America is 32.1 years.

  • Uruguay has the highest median age of 36 Years
  • Bolivia has the lowest median of 26 years
  • French Guiana has the median of 25 years*
#CountryFert RateMedian age
1French Guiana*3.425
2Bolivia2.826
3Guyana2.527
4Paraguay2.426
5Ecuador2.428
6Suriname2.429
7Argentina2.332
8Peru2.331
9Venezuela2.330
10Uruguay236
11Colombia1.831
12Brazil1.733
13Chile1.735


Source: World Population Prospects 2019

*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK & French Guiana is of France