Country: South Africa
Number of People Groups
65
People Groups Unreached
8 (12.3%)
Progress Level
Total
Population
57,295,000
Population in Unreached
963,000 (1.7%)
Largest Religion
% Professing Christian
77.5%
% Evangelical
19.35%
Evangelical Annual Growth Rate
2.2%
(Global Rate = 2.6%)
| Photo | People Group ▲ | Population this Country |
Global Population |
Indigenous | Primary Language | Progress Scale |
Primary Religion | % Christian Adherent |
% Evangelical |
Est. Workers Needed * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Afrikaner | 3,847,000 | 4,315,000 | ● | Afrikaans | 5 ● | Christianity | 89.00 % | 21.00 % | -1 - |
|
Americans, U.S. | 11,000 | 190,729,000 | English | 5 ● | Christianity | 77.00 % | 28.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Anglo-South African | 1,301,000 | 1,425,000 | ● | English | 5 ● | Christianity | 85.00 % | 18.00 % | -1 - |
|
Arab, Egyptian | 59,000 | 63,810,000 | Arabic, Egyptian Spoken | 4 ● | Islam | 13.00 % | 3.90 % | -1 - | |
|
Arab, Lebanese | 5,500 | 11,790,000 | Arabic, North Levantine Spoken | 2 ● | Islam | 32.00 % | 0.50 % | -1 - | |
|
Bhojpuri Bihari | 56,000 | 83,000 | Bhojpuri | 1 ● | Hinduism | 5.00 % | 0.50 % | 1 | |
|
Birwa | 11,000 | 48,000 | Birwa | 4 ● | Ethnic Religions | 34.00 % | 6.00 % | -1 - | |
|
British | 262,000 | 52,418,000 | English | 4 ● | Christianity | 60.00 % | 8.80 % | -1 - | |
|
Chinese, general | 5,900 | 12,984,000 | English | 4 ● | Non-Religious | 8.00 % | 5.70 % | -1 - | |
|
Coloured | 5,457,000 | 5,457,000 | ● | Afrikaans | 5 ● | Christianity | 82.00 % | 22.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Coloured Creole | 39,000 | 39,000 | ● | Oorlams | 4 ● | Christianity | 80.00 % | 6.00 % | -1 - |
|
Deaf | -1 Unknown | -1 Unknown | ● | South African Sign Language | 3 ● | Christianity | 75.00 % | 1.90 % | -1 - |
|
Dutch | 14,000 | 15,211,000 | Dutch | 4 ● | Non-Religious | 46.00 % | 4.50 % | -1 - | |
|
French | 11,000 | 50,070,000 | French | 3 ● | Christianity | 61.00 % | 1.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Gemsbok Nama, Bushman | 2,100 | 2,100 | ● | Khoekhoe | 5 ● | Christianity | 90.00 % | 20.00 % | -1 - |
|
German | 14,000 | 65,525,000 | German, Standard | 4 ● | Christianity | 64.00 % | 2.10 % | -1 - | |
|
Greek | 20,000 | 10,846,000 | Greek | 3 ● | Christianity | 91.00 % | 0.40 % | -1 - | |
|
Griqua | 100 | 100 | ● | Xiri | 4 ● | Christianity | 100.00 % | 10.00 % | -1 - |
|
Gujarati | 31,000 | 2,357,000 | Gujarati | 1 ● | Hinduism | 3.00 % | 0.40 % | 1 | |
|
Hindi | 451,000 | 1,458,000 | Hindi | 1 ● | Hinduism | 4.00 % | 0.60 % | 9 | |
|
|
Indian, English-Speaking | 447,000 | 523,000 | English | 2 ● | Hinduism | 10.00 % | 1.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Italian | 19,000 | 37,375,000 | Italian | 3 ● | Christianity | 82.00 % | 1.10 % | -1 - | |
|
Jew, English Speaking | 73,000 | 5,942,000 | ● | English | 1 ● | Ethnic Religions | 0.50 % | 0.10 % | 1 |
|
|
Korana | 11,000 | 11,000 | ● | Language unknown | 4 ● | Christianity | 70.00 % | 10.00 % | -1 - |
|
Korean | 1,300 | 80,909,000 | Korean | 5 ● | Christianity | 31.00 % | 16.80 % | -1 - | |
|
Kung-Ekoka | 4,000 | 23,000 | Kung-Ekoka | 2 ● | Ethnic Religions | 8.00 % | 0.20 % | -1 - | |
|
Kxoe, Xun | 1,400 | 8,100 | Khwedam | 5 ● | Ethnic Religions | 20.00 % | 15.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Lembaa | 1,337,000 | 1,475,000 | ● | Venda | 5 ● | Ethnic Religions | 40.00 % | 16.00 % | -1 - |
|
Makhuwa | 17,000 | 4,401,000 | Makhuwa | 4 ● | Ethnic Religions | 21.00 % | 3.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Malay, Cape | 313,000 | 313,000 | ● | Afrikaans | 1 ● | Islam | 0.50 % | 0.20 % | 6 |
|
|
Mauritian | 41,000 | 1,080,000 | Morisyen | 4 ● | Hinduism | 35.00 % | 6.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Nama, Khoekhoe | 2,100 | 198,000 | Khoekhoe | 5 ● | Christianity | 70.00 % | 14.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Ndebele, Southern | 1,204,000 | 1,204,000 | ● | Ndebele | 5 ● | Christianity | 80.00 % | 11.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Nghuki | 700 | 700 | ● | Nu | 3 ● | Christianity | 90.00 % | 2.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Nusan Nung, Ngamani | 400 | 3,200 | Xoo | 2 ● | Ethnic Religions | 14.00 % | 2.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Nyanja, Chewa | 3,100 | 12,977,000 | Chichewa | 5 ● | Christianity | 65.00 % | 13.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Pedi, North Sotho | 5,148,000 | 5,357,000 | ● | Sotho, Northern | 5 ● | Christianity | 82.00 % | 11.00 % | -1 - |
|
Portuguese | 1,808,000 | 17,753,000 | Portuguese | 4 ● | Christianity | 94.00 % | 3.00 % | -1 - | |
|
|
Romani, Romanichal | 9,500 | 175,000 | Angloromani | 4 ● | Christianity | 65.00 % | 3.00 % | -1 - | |
|
|
Ronga | 1,200 | 640,000 | Ronga | 4 ● | Christianity | 80.00 % | 3.00 % | -1 - | |
|
|
Setswana | 391,000 | 829,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 68.00 % | 16.00 % | -1 - |
|
Shona | 22,000 | 1,234,000 | Shona | 5 ● | Christianity | 65.00 % | 12.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Somali | 23,000 | 22,923,000 | Somali | 1 ● | Islam | 0.50 % | 0.40 % | 1 | |
|
Sotho, Khutswe | 588,000 | 588,000 | ● | Sotho, Northern | 5 ● | Christianity | 80.00 % | 14.00 % | -1 - |
|
Sotho, Southern | 4,290,000 | 6,359,000 | ● | Sotho, Southern | 5 ● | Christianity | 82.00 % | 19.00 % | -1 - |
|
Swahili | 2,400 | 1,772,000 | Swahili | 0 ◉ | Islam | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Swazi | 1,441,000 | 2,682,000 | Swati | 5 ● | Christianity | 75.00 % | 15.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Tamil (Hindu traditions) | 31,000 | 2,718,000 | Tamil | 2 ● | Hinduism | 12.00 % | 1.50 % | -1 - | |
|
Telugu | 4,800 | 793,000 | Telugu | 4 ● | Hinduism | 7.00 % | 7.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Tsonga, Shangaan | 2,519,000 | 6,749,000 | ● | Tsonga | 5 ● | Christianity | 68.00 % | 19.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswa | 24,000 | 1,080,000 | Tswa | 5 ● | Christianity | 75.00 % | 11.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Tswana, Detribalized | 279,000 | 386,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 85.00 % | 15.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Hurutshe | 1,471,000 | 1,485,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 70.00 % | 20.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Kwena | 56,000 | 284,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 72.00 % | 13.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Malete | 56,000 | 96,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 73.00 % | 16.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Ngwaketse | 167,000 | 385,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 72.00 % | 13.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Ngwato | 56,000 | 577,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 70.00 % | 17.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Rolong | 558,000 | 588,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 78.00 % | 13.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Tlhaping | 391,000 | 391,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 60.00 % | 17.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Tlharu | 447,000 | 447,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 65.00 % | 13.00 % | -1 - |
|
|
Tswana-Tlokwa | 223,000 | 233,000 | ● | Setswana | 5 ● | Christianity | 55.00 % | 14.00 % | -1 - |
|
Urdu | 14,000 | 1,828,000 | Urdu | 0 ◉ | Islam | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Xhosa | 8,209,000 | 8,281,000 | ● | Xhosa | 5 ● | Christianity | 81.00 % | 24.00 % | -1 - |
|
Xhosa-Tembu | 880,000 | 880,000 | ● | Xhosa | 5 ● | Christianity | 75.00 % | 20.00 % | -1 - |
|
Zulu | 13,111,000 | 13,565,000 | ● | Zulu | 5 ● | Christianity | 81.00 % | 26.00 % | -1 - |
| Totals: 65 | 57,295,000 | 8 ● | 77.50 % | 19.35 % | 21 | |||||
| Unclassified / Other Individuals | 103,000 | |||||||||
| UN Country Population (2018) | 57,398,000 |
* An estimate of the number of pioneer workers needed for initial church planting among unreached people groups by country. Estimates are calculated only for unreached people groups and are based on ratio of 1 worker for every 50,000 individuals living in an unreached people group by country. Some workers may already be onsite. Many more workers are needed beyond this initial estimate.
| State ▲ | Population | People Groups | Unreached Groups |
% Unreached Peoples |
Population in Unreached |
% Population Unreached |
Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country: | 57,295,000 | 65 | 8 | 12.3 % | 963,000 | 1.7 % | 0 |
| Language ▲ | Code | # Peoples Primary Language |
# Unreached Primary Language |
Scripture Status |
NT Text Online |
NT Audio Online |
Jesus Film Online |
Audio Recordings Online |
Gospel Tract Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afrikaans | afr | 3 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Angloromani | rme | 1 | 0 | 2 Bible Portions | 1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Arabic, Egyptian Spoken | arz | 1 | 0 | 3 New Testament | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Arabic, North Levantine Spoken | apc | 1 | 0 | 2 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Bhojpuri | bho | 1 | 1 | 3 New Testament | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Birwa | brl | 1 | 0 | 0 Need ? | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Chichewa | nya | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dutch | nld | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| English | eng | 6 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| French | fra | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| German, Standard | deu | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Greek | ell | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Gujarati | guj | 1 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Hindi | hin | 1 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Italian | ita | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Khoekhoe | naq | 2 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Khwedam | xuu | 1 | 0 | 2 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Korean | kor | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kung-Ekoka | knw | 1 | 0 | 2 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Makhuwa | vmw | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1 |
| Morisyen | mfe | 1 | 0 | 3 New Testament | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Ndebele | nbl | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Nu | ngh | 1 | 0 | 0 Need ? | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Oorlams | oor | 1 | 0 | 1 None | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Portuguese | por | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Ronga | rng | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1 |
| Setswana | tsn | 11 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Shona | sna | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Somali | som | 1 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sotho, Northern | nso | 2 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sotho, Southern | sot | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| South African Sign Language | sfs | 1 | 0 | 1 None | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Swahili | swh | 1 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Swati | ssw | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Tamil | tam | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Telugu | tel | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tsonga | tso | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tswa | tsc | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Unknown | xxx | 1 | 0 | Need ? | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Urdu | urd | 1 | 1 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Venda | ven | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Xhosa | xho | 2 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Xiri | xii | 1 | 0 | 0 Need ? | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Xoo | nmn | 1 | 0 | 1 None | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Zulu | zul | 1 | 0 | 4 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals: | 45 | 65 | 8 | 30 | 24 | 35 | 36 | 24 |
| RELIGIONS ▲ | Percent |
|---|---|
| Buddhism | 0.0 % |
| Christianity (Evangelical 19.4 %) | 77.5 % |
| Ethnic Religions | 12.6 % |
| Hinduism | 1.3 % |
| Islam | 1.2 % |
| Non-Religious | 1.3 % |
| Other / Small Religions | 6.0 % |
| Unknown | 0.0 % |
| CHRISTIAN SEGMENTS ▲ | Percent |
|---|---|
| Anglican | 2.5 % |
| Independent | 48.5 % |
| Orthodox | 0.1 % |
| Other Christian | 0.1 % |
| Protestant | 27.0 % |
| Roman Catholic | 21.9 % |
Major Religions: Religion percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each religion, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total population to derive the religion's percentage.
Christianity Segments: Christian segment percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all the people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each segment of Christianity, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total number of Christians to derive the Christian segment's percentage.
There are many agencies and churches looking for additional staff to help them in their mission and calling in South Africa. Internet searches are probably the best way to find these organizations. The following are some example search topics you might try:
- Church planting agencies in South Africa
- Christian ministry in South Africa
- Business as mission
- Christian literature distribution
- Evangelism agencies
- Christian discipleship
- Short term Christian missions
- Long term Christian missions
- Urban ministries
- Christian media opportunities
- Bible translation opportunities
- Relief and development agencies
- Clean water projects
- Christian medical outreaches
Below is a partial list of ministries that may work in South Africa or East and Southern Africa. The lists below do not include all ministries at work in this country or region. This data is from circa 2006-2008 and is not being maintained by Joshua Project. There are likely many excellent ministries not listed here. Inclusion here is not an endorsement by Joshua Project.
| People Groups | 65 |
| Unreached People Groups | 8 (12.3%) |
| Population | 57,295,000 |
| Population Annual Growth Rate | 0.8% |
| Population in Unreached | 963,000 (1.7%) |
| Pioneer Workers Needed * | 21 |
| Primary Religion | Christianity |
| Percent Christian Adherent | 77.5% |
| Percent Evangelical | 19.4% |
| Evangelical Annual Growth Rate | 2.2% |
| Country Progress Level | 5 ● |
| Urbanization | 65% |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | East and Southern Africa |
| 10/40 Window | No |
| Country Code | SF |
| Official Language(s) | English | Afrikaans |
| Literacy Rate | 93% |
| Estimated Illiterate Population | 4,011,000 |
| Persecution Ranking | Not ranked |
 |
South Africa prayer cards. All Unreached |
| Operation World |
| World Factbook |
| Ethnologue Language Listing |
| National Bible Society |
| God Reports (stories from the field) |
| Religious Freedom Report |
| Political Map (UN) |
| Language Map (Ethnologue) |
| Ethnolinguistic Map (Univ of Texas) |
| Perry-Castaneda Map Collection |
| South Africa Prayercast Video |
* An estimate of the number of pioneer workers needed for initial church planting among unreached people groups. Estimates are calculated only for unreached people groups and are based on ratio of 1 worker for every 50,000 individuals living in an unreached people group. Some workers may already be onsite. The country estimate is a summation of the unreached people group estimates. Many more workers are needed beyond this initial estimate.