Official Numbers Underestimated? South Africa Could Have 95 Million People

Recent articles propose that South Africa’s population may be significantly larger than the official estimate of around 63–65 million. These reports highlight data gathered by Fibretime, a fibre-network operator that used drone imagery, satellite mapping, household visits, and AI-driven modelling while working in townships and informal settlements. Their counts frequently showed many more households than official records indicate, and when these findings are scaled nationally, the company suggests the population could exceed 95 million.

The articles explain that Fibretime’s modelling draws from factors such as roof density, household occupancy patterns, fibre-installation data, and the rapid growth of informal and peri-urban areas. By combining on-the-ground observations with aerial and digital mapping, they argue that traditional population estimates may not fully capture the scale of expansion in certain high-density communities. This leads to the possibility that South Africa’s true population may be far higher than currently recorded.