RELIGION LIBRARY

South Africa

Map of South Africa

The country has an area of 470,693 square miles and a population of 48.7 million. The 2001 religious demography census estimated that 80 percent of the population is Christian. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and adherents of traditional African beliefs constitute 5 percent of the population. Approximately 15 percent of the population indicated it adheres to no particular religion or declined to indicate an affiliation. Many combine Christian and indigenous religious practices.

Population Population (2009 est.) 49,052,489
Religious Demographics Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentacostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census)
Ethnic Groups Ethnic Groups black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census)
Languages Languages IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census)
Country Flag Flag of South Africa