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South America Population 2022
South America is a continent & southern sub-region of America. It includes twelve sovereign states & two dependent territories: the Falkland Islands and French Guiana.
As per the United Nations, World Population Prospects 2019 estimated South America’s population in 2022 is 43,7694,436
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2019
Population of South America in 2022 : 437 million
List of South American Countries by Population
South America consists of twelve Independent Nations & 2 Overseas Territories. About 5.53 % of the world’s population lives in South America.
Brazil is by far the most populous South American country, with more than half of the continent’s population, followed by Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.
Let’s have a look at the Country-wise population of South America
# | Countries | Pop. 2022 |
1 | Brazil | 215,353,588 |
2 | Colombia | 51,512,766 |
3 | Argentina | 46,010,234 |
4 | Peru | 33,684,218 |
5 | Venezuela | 29,266,989 |
6 | Chile | 19,250,192 |
7 | Ecuador | 18,113,365 |
8 | Bolivia | 11,992,647 |
9 | Paraguay | 7,305,842 |
10 | Uruguay | 3,496,015 |
11 | Guyana | 794,039 |
12 | Suriname | 596,838 |
13 | French Guiana* | 314,169 |
14 | Falkland Islands* | 3,534 |
Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects 2019
*Falkland Islands is Overseas Territory of UK & French Guiana is of France
Religion in South America
Christianity is the majority religion in South America and in most South American countries, its followed by 80-90% of the population. In the past few decades, the religiously unaffiliated population in the region has grown and around 10% of the people don’t follow or Affiliate with any religion. Other Non-Christians faiths include Hindusim, Islam, Jews, and Buddism. Folk and African religions also have followers in South American Countries.
As of 2014, the new Pew Research Center survey finds that 69% of Latin Americans identify as Catholic, while 19% belong to Protestant churches and 8% are religiously unaffiliated (atheist, agnostic or no particular religion). The remaining 4% include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Spiritists, and adherents of Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or indigenous religions, such as Umbanda and Candomble.
Let’s have a look at the South American Countries by the religious percentage
Country | Christians (%) | Unaffiliated (%) | Folk Religions (%) | Hindus (%) | Muslims (%) | Other Religions |
Argentina | 85.4 | 12.1 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Bolivia | 94 | 4.1 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Brazil | 88.1 | 8.4 | 3.2 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Chile | 88.3 | 9.7 | 1.5 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Colombia | 92.3 | 6.7 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Ecuador | 94 | 5.6 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Falkland Islands | 67.2 | 31.5 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
French Guiana | 84 | 3.9 | 8.6 | 1.4 | 1.3 | < 1.0 |
Guyana | 67.9 | 2 | < 1.0 | 23.3 | 6.1 | < 1.0 |
Paraguay | 96.9 | 1.1 | 1.7 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Peru | 95.4 | 3.1 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Suriname | 52.3 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 18.8 | 14.3 | 1.9 |
Uruguay | 57 | 41.5 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Venezuela | 89.5 | 9.7 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 | < 1.0 |
Source: Pew research center
Christanity in South America
South America is home to the largest Catholic population – nearly 30% of the world’s total Catholic population. Catholics make up an overwhelming majority (more than two-thirds) of the adult population in nine of the countries surveyed, ranging from 89% in Paraguay to 64% in Brazil. Even in these heavily Catholic countries, however, Protestants now are a significant minority, constituting nearly 10% or more of the population in each country.
According the Pew Research Center 2014 survey, 69% of Latin Americans identify as Catholic, while 19% belong to Protestant churches and others at 1-2% are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Eastern Orthodox, etc.
As per pew research, from 1900 through the 1960s, at least 90% of Latin America’s population was Catholic. Now, the Pew Research survey shows, that 69% of adults across the region identify as Catholic. Protestant churches are now growing in Latin America. While the Catholic Church has lost adherents through religious switching, both Protestant churches and the religiously unaffiliated population in the region have gained members.
Paraguay is the South American country with the largest percentage of Catholics followed by Colombia and Ecuador. Uruguay is the with less than half of its population as Catholics (42%). It has a high percentage of religiously unaffiliated (37%) and 15% of Uruguayans identify as Protestant.
Brazil (26%) has the largest percentage of Protestants followed by Chile, Peru, and Venezuela. Paraguay has the lowest Protestants percentage in South America followed by Colombia and Ecuador.
Religious Affiliations of South American Countries
Country | Catholic | Protestant | Others |
Paraguay | 89% | 7% | 1% |
Colombia | 79 | 13 | 6 |
Ecuador | 79 | 13 | 5 |
Bolivia | 77 | 16 | 4 |
Peru | 76 | 17 | 4 |
Venezuela | 73 | 17 | 7 |
Argentina | 71 | 1S | 11 |
Chile | 64 | 17 | 16 |
Brazil | 61 | 26 | 8 |
Uruguay | 42 | 15 | 37 |
Source: Pew Research Center