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South America Population (2026 Overview)
South America is a continent in the southern hemisphere of the Americas, comprising 12 sovereign countries and 2 dependent territories (French Guiana and the Falkland Islands). It is the fifth-most populous continent in the world, accounting for about 5 % of the global population, with an estimated ~438 million people in 2026 according to the latest United Nations estimates. South America’s population growth has slowed in recent decades as fertility rates decline across most nations, but it remains a culturally and demographically diverse region.
Quick Facts (2026)
Total Population (2026): ~449 million
Global Population Share: ~5.5% of the world’s population
Number of Countries: 12 independent nations
Overseas Territories: French Guiana (France), Falkland Islands (UK)
Most Populous Country: Brazil
Least Populated Territory: Falkland Islands
Fastest-Growing Populations: Guyana, Paraguay
Dominant Religion: Christianity (mainly Roman Catholicism)
List of South American Countries by Population
South America includes fourteen territories (12 independent countries and 2 overseas territories), each with widely varying population sizes. About half of the continent’s population lives in Brazil, the largest country by both area and population. Following Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru rank next in terms of population size.
Below is the latest 2026 estimated population list (United Nations data where available):
| # | Countries | Population 2026 |
| 1 | Brazil | 219,927,144 |
| 2 | Colombia | 52,902,741 |
| 3 | Argentina | 46,613,494 |
| 4 | Peru | 35,351,784 |
| 5 | Venezuela | 30,419,164 |
| 6 | Chile | 19,726,828 |
| 7 | Ecuador | 18,749,868 |
| 8 | Bolivia | 12,924,658 |
| 9 | Paraguay | 7,113,876 |
| 10 | Uruguay | 3,423,599 |
| 11 | Guyana | 830,213 |
| 12 | Suriname | 639,522 |
| 13 | French Guiana* | 335,203 |
| 14 | Falkland Islands* | 3,827 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects
*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK & French Guiana is of France
Religion in South America (Overview)
Religion in South America is shaped by centuries of history, colonization, and cultural exchange. Christianity remains the dominant religion, but the landscape is gradually changing.
Key Religious Trends
Christianity: The vast majority of South Americans identify as Christians, with Catholicism historically the largest single group. Protestant and other Christian denominations also have significant followings.
Catholic Decline & Unaffiliated Growth: Recent surveys show that the Catholic share has declined in many countries over the past decade, while the proportion of people with no religious affiliation (atheist/agnostic/no particular religion) has increased, especially in urban and younger populations.
Minority Religions: Smaller religious communities include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Afro-indigenous spiritual traditions, and others. For example, Hinduism and Islam have visible communities in countries like Guyana and Suriname due to historical migration.
Snapshot (approximate percentages)
(Combining various estimates for a general picture)
Christian majority — ~80–90 % of the population
Unaffiliated / non-religious — rising share, particularly in Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina
Other faiths — small but culturally important minorities across the continent
👉 Read more in detail: Religion in South America
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