- People Groups
- People Progress
- People Photos
- Languages
- Religions
- Ministries
- Details
| South Africa – People Groups |
People Groups
(click people name for profile) |
Population |
Indig |
% Evangel |
% Adherent |
Progress Scale |
Primary Religion |
Primary Language |
Pho |
Map |
Txt |
| Afrikaner | 4,018,000 | Y● | 23.25 % | 89.00 % | 5  | Christianity | Afrikaans | 0P Afrikaner | 1 | 0T | | Americans, U.S. | 12,000 | | 28.00 % | 77.00 % | 5 | Christianity | English | 0P Americans, U.S. | 1 | 0T | | Anglo-South African | 1,359,000 | Y● | 19.93 % | 85.00 % | 5 | Christianity | English | 0P Anglo-South African | 1 | 1 | | Arab, Egyptian | 61,000 | | 3.90 % | 13.00 % | 4  | Islam | Arabic, Egyptian Spoken | 0P Arab, Egyptian | 1 | 0T | | Arab, Lebanese | 5,700 | | 0.50 % | 32.00 % | 2  | Islam | Arabic, Levantine | 0P Arab, Lebanese | 1 | 0T | | Bhojpuri Bihari | 58,000 | | 0.50 % | 5.00 % | 1  | Hinduism | Bhojpuri | 0P Bhojpuri Bihari | 0M Bhojpuri Bihari of South Africa | 0T | | Birwa | 12,000 | | 6.00 % | 34.00 % | 4 | Ethnic Religions | Birwa | 1 | 1 | 1 | | British | 274,000 | | 8.80 % | 60.00 % | 4 | Christianity | English | 0P British | 1 | 1 | | Chinese, general | 364,000 | | 5.70 % | 8.00 % | 4 | Non-Religious | English | 0P Chinese, general | 1 | 1 | | Coloured | 5,376,000 | Y● | 24.36 % | 82.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Afrikaans | 0P Coloured | 1 | 1 | | Coloured Creole | 40,000 | Y● | 6.00 % | 80.00 % | 4 | Christianity | Oorlams | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Deaf | 453,000 | Y● | | 75.24 % | 3  | Christianity | South African Sign Language | 0P Deaf | 1 | 0T | | Dutch | 31,000 | | 4.50 % | 46.00 % | 4 | Non-Religious | Dutch | 0P Dutch | 1 | 1 | | French | 12,000 | | 1.00 % | 61.00 % | 3 | Christianity | French | 0P French | 1 | 0T | | German | 15,000 | | 2.10 % | 64.00 % | 4 | Christianity | German, Standard | 0P German | 1 | 1 | | Greek | 21,000 | | 0.40 % | 91.00 % | 3 | Christianity | Greek | 0P Greek | 1 | 0T | | Griqua | 100 | Y● | 10.00 % | 100.00 % | 4 | Christianity | English | 0P Griqua | 1 | 1 | | Gujarati | 32,000 | | 0.40 % | 3.00 % | 1 | Hinduism | Gujarati | 0P Gujarati | 0M Gujarati of South Africa | 0T | | Hindi | 471,000 | | 0.60 % | 4.00 % | 1 | Hinduism | Hindi | 0P Hindi | 1 | 0T | | Indian, English-speaking | 467,000 | | 1.00 % | 10.00 % | 2 | Hinduism | English | 0P Indian, English-speaking | 1 | 0T | | Italian | 20,000 | | 1.10 % | 82.00 % | 3 | Christianity | Italian | 0P Italian | 1 | 0T | | Jew, English-speaking | 51,000 | Y● | 0.10 % | 0.50 % | 1 | Ethnic Religions | English | 0P Jew, English-speaking | 1 | 0T | | Korana | 11,000 | Y● | 10.00 % | 70.00 % | 4 | Christianity | Language unknown | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Korean | 1,400 | | 16.80 % | 31.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Korean | 0P Korean | 1 | 0T | | Kung-Ekoka | 4,200 | | 0.20 % | 8.00 % | 2 | Ethnic Religions | Kung-Ekoka | 0P Kung-Ekoka | 1 | 1 | | Kxoe, Xun | 1,500 | | 15.00 % | 20.00 % | 5 | Ethnic Religions | Khwedam | 0P Kxoe, Xun | 1 | 1 | | Lembaa | 1,396,000 | Y● | 17.72 % | 40.00 % | 5 | Ethnic Religions | Venda | 0P Lembaa | 1 | 1 | | Makhuwa | 18,000 | | 3.00 % | 21.00 % | 4 | Ethnic Religions | Makhuwa | 0P Makhuwa | 0M Makhuwa of South Africa | 1 | | Malay, Cape | 327,000 | Y● | 0.20 % | 0.50 % | 1 | Islam | Afrikaans | 0P Malay, Cape | 0M Malay, Cape of South Africa | 0T | | Mauritian | 43,000 | | 6.00 % | 35.00 % | 4 | Hinduism | Morisyen | 0P Mauritian | 1 | 1 | | Nama, Khoekhoe | 2,200 | | 14.00 % | 70.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Khoekhoe | 0P Nama, Khoekhoe | 1 | 1 | | Ndebele, Southern | 1,258,000 | Y● | 12.18 % | 80.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Ndebele | 0P Ndebele, Southern | 1 | 1 | | Nghuki | 700 | Y● | 2.00 % | 90.00 % | 3 | Christianity | Afrikaans | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Nusan Nung, Ngamani | 500 | | 2.00 % | 14.00 % | 2 | Ethnic Religions | Xoo | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Nyanja, Chewa | 3,300 | | 13.00 % | 65.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Chichewa | 0P Nyanja, Chewa | 1 | 1 | | Pedi, North Sotho | 5,377,000 | Y● | 12.18 % | 82.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Sotho, Northern | 0P Pedi, North Sotho | 1 | 1 | | Portuguese | 1,889,000 | | 3.32 % | 94.00 % | 4 | Christianity | Portuguese | 0P Portuguese | 1 | 0T | | Romani, Romanichal | 10,000 | | 3.00 % | 65.00 % | 4 | Christianity | Angloromani | 0P Romani, Romanichal | 1 | 0T | | Ronga | 1,300 | | 3.00 % | 80.00 % | 4 | Christianity | Ronga | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Setswana | 408,000 | Y● | 16.00 % | 68.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Shona | 23,000 | | 12.00 % | 65.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Shona | 0P Shona | 1 | 1 | | Somali | 24,000 | | 0.40 % | 0.50 % | 1 | Islam | Somali | 0P Somali | 1 | 0T | | Sotho, Khutswe | 614,000 | Y● | 14.00 % | 80.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Sotho, Northern | 0P Sotho, Khutswe | 1 | 1 | | Sotho, Southern | 4,481,000 | Y● | 21.04 % | 82.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Sotho, Southern | 0P Sotho, Southern | 1 | 1 | | South Asian, Telugu-speaking | 5,000 | | 7.00 % | 7.00 % | 4 | Hinduism | Telugu | 0P South Asian, Telugu-speaking | 1 | 1 | | Swahili | 2,500 | | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | Islam | Swahili | 0P Swahili | 1 | 0T | | Swazi | 1,505,000 | | 16.61 % | 75.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Swati | 0P Swazi | 1 | 1 | | Tamil (Hindu traditions) | 33,000 | | 1.50 % | 12.00 % | 2 | Hinduism | Tamil | 0P Tamil (Hindu traditions) | 1 | 0T | | Tsonga, Shangaan | 2,631,000 | Y● | 21.04 % | 68.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Tsonga | 0P Tsonga, Shangaan | 1 | 1 | | Tswa | 25,000 | | 11.00 % | 75.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Tswa | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana, Detribalized | 292,000 | Y● | 15.00 % | 85.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 0P Tswana, Detribalized | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Hurutshe | 1,536,000 | Y● | 22.15 % | 70.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Kwena | 58,000 | Y● | 13.00 % | 72.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Malete | 58,000 | Y● | 16.00 % | 73.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Ngwaketse | 175,000 | Y● | 13.00 % | 72.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Ngwato | 58,000 | Y● | 17.00 % | 70.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Rolong | 583,000 | Y● | 13.00 % | 78.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Tlhaping | 408,000 | Y● | 17.00 % | 60.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Tlharu | 467,000 | Y● | 13.00 % | 65.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Tswana-Tlokwa | 233,000 | Y● | 14.00 % | 55.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Setswana | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Urdu | 15,000 | | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | Islam | Urdu | 0P Urdu | 1 | 0T | | Vasekela Bushman, Maligo | 3,800 | | 2.00 % | 32.00 % | 2 | Ethnic Religions | Northwestern Kung | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Xhosa | 8,575,000 | Y● | 26.58 % | 81.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Xhosa | 0P Xhosa | 1 | 1 | | Xhosa-Tembu | 919,000 | Y● | 20.00 % | 75.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Xhosa | 0P Xhosa-Tembu | 1 | 1 | | Zulu | 13,644,000 | Y● | 28.79 % | 81.00 % | 5 | Christianity | Zulu | 0P Zulu | 1 | 1 |
| Total People Groups: 65 |
60,273,000 |
30 |
|
|
8  |
|
|
47 |
4 |
21 |
| Unclassified / Other Individuals |
141,000 |
|
| UN Country Population (2023) |
60,414,000 |
|
| South Africa – People Progress |
% of People Groups [1]
|
| |
|
% of Population in People Group [1] [2]
|
| |
|
NOTES:
- Small Values: Values less than .3% are not shown on pie charts for labeling clarity.
- % of Population in People Group: The percentage of the population that lives in a people group at each progress level. Not every person living in an unreached people group is necessarily unreached.
|
| South Africa – People Photos *** Note: Only people groups with photos available are displayed here.*** | | | 
Afrikaner
4,018,000
| 
Americans, U.S.
12,000
| 
Anglo-South African
1,359,000
| 
Arab, Egyptian
61,000
| 
Arab, Lebanese
5,700
| 
Bhojpuri Bihari
58,000
| 
British
274,000
| 
Chinese, general
364,000
| 
Coloured
5,376,000
| 
Deaf
453,000
| 
Dutch
31,000
| 
French
12,000
| 
German
15,000
| 
Greek
21,000
| 
Griqua
100
| 
Gujarati
32,000
| 
Hindi
471,000
| 
Indian, English-speaking
467,000
| 
Italian
20,000
| 
© Copyrighted Photo
Jew, English-speaking
51,000
| 
Korean
1,400
| 
Kung-Ekoka
4,200
| 
Kxoe, Xun
1,500
| 
Lembaa
1,396,000
| 
Makhuwa
18,000
| 
Malay, Cape
327,000
| 
Mauritian
43,000
| 
Nama, Khoekhoe
2,200
| 
Ndebele, Southern
1,258,000
| 
Nyanja, Chewa
3,300
| 
Pedi, North Sotho
5,377,000
| 
Portuguese
1,889,000
| 
Romani, Romanichal
10,000
| 
Shona
23,000
| 
© Copyrighted Photo
Somali
24,000
| 
Sotho, Khutswe
614,000
| 
Sotho, Southern
4,481,000
| 
© Copyrighted Photo
South Asian, Telugu-speaking
5,000
| 
Swahili
2,500
| 
Swazi
1,505,000
| 
Tamil (Hindu traditions)
33,000
| 
Tsonga, Shangaan
2,631,000
| 
© Copyrighted Photo
Tswana, Detribalized
292,000
| 
Urdu
15,000
| 
Xhosa
8,575,000
| 
Xhosa-Tembu
919,000
| 
Zulu
13,644,000
| | South Africa People Photos *** Note: Only people groups with photos available are displayed here.*** |
| South Africa – Religions |
|
Major Religions [1] [3]
Evangelicals: 21.0 %
(subset of Christianity) |
| |
% Evangelical and % Professing Christian Trends [4]
|
NOTES:
- Major Religions: Each People Group's population is multiplied by the Major Religion percentages for that people group. Results are summed for each Religion for all Peoples within the country.
- Christianity Segments: Each People Group's population is multiplied by the Christianity Segments percentages for that people group. Results are summed for each Christianity Segment for all peoples within the country.
- Small Values: Values less than .3% are not shown on pie charts for labeling clarity.
- % Evangelical and % Professing Christian Trends: Source Operation World Editions 1986, 1993, 2001, 2010.
Zero percent data values may mean unknown or unavailable.
|
| South Africa – Possible Ministry Involvement |
- Below are lists of ministries that may work in South Africa. Ministries in the South Africa section probably minister in this country. Ministries in the Africa, East and Southern section only possibly minister in this country. The purpose of this information is to assist potential new missionaries connect with sending agencies and for general ministry networking. Click on the links below to visit ministry websites for further information. Visit the Power-Of-Connecting "Find a Network Tool" to find further networking information.
- The lists below do not include all ministries at work in this country or region. There are likely many excellent ministries not listed here. Omissions are not intentional, but occur simply from lack of data. Please contact us to suggest other ministries to include here. Inclusion here is not an endorsement by Joshua Project.
|
| Ministries in South Africa |
|
Ministries in Africa, East and Southern |
(Click headings for sorting   ) |
|
(Click headings for sorting ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Africa – Statistics, Prayer Cards, Maps and Links
|
| |
| Notes |
|
[1] Calculated by summing the major religion data for the people groups in the country. |
|
[2] Calculated by summing the Evangelical data for the people groups in the country. |
|
|
|
|
JP Unreached of Day
