> > Home >>  South America > > 

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

SourceUnited 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

#CountriesPop. 2022
1Brazil215,353,588
2Colombia51,512,766
3Argentina46,010,234
4Peru33,684,218
5Venezuela 29,266,989
6Chile19,250,192
7Ecuador18,113,365
8Bolivia11,992,647
9Paraguay7,305,842
10Uruguay3,496,015
11Guyana794,039
12Suriname596,838
13French Guiana*314,169
14Falkland Islands*3,534

SourceUnited 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

CountryChristians (%)Unaffiliated (%)Folk Religions (%)Hindus (%)Muslims (%)Other Religions
Argentina85.412.1< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Bolivia944.1< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Brazil88.18.43.2< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Chile88.39.71.5< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Colombia92.36.7< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Ecuador945.6< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Falkland Islands 67.231.5< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
French Guiana843.98.61.41.3< 1.0
Guyana67.92< 1.023.36.1< 1.0
Paraguay96.91.11.7< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Peru95.43.1< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Suriname52.36.25.618.814.31.9
Uruguay5741.5< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0< 1.0
Venezuela89.59.7< 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 

CountryCatholicProtestantOthers
Paraguay89%7%1%
Colombia79136
Ecuador79135
Bolivia77164
Peru76174
Venezuela73177
Argentina711S11
Chile641716
Brazil61268
Uruguay421537

Source: Pew Research Center

South America Countries by Population 2023 | Religion in South America