South America is one of the world’s more sparsely populated continents, with a lower average density than Asia and Europe.
It’s population distribution is shaped by major geographic systems such as the Andes mountain range and vast low-density interior land areas.
The continent provides a clear example of how land scale, environmental constraints, and urban concentration shape long-term population distribution patterns.
What is population density?
Population density measures how many people live per square kilometer of land area. It shows how tightly a population is concentrated within a country’s territory, rather than total population size.
High population density reflects land pressure, urban concentration, infrastructure demand, and limited space for expansion.
Low population density reflects large land areas, environmental constraints, and dispersed settlement patterns.
Average population density of South America
South America’s population density is among the world’s lower-density continents, with an estimated average of 24.6 people per square kilometer, closely aligned with North America’s average of 20.5.
This continental average is shaped by dense settlement in coastal and highland regions such as Quito, Bogotá, Lima, and São Paulo, alongside vast low-density land areas including the Amazon Basin, Patagonian interior, and remote rainforest and savanna regions.
Most densely populated countries in South America
These South American countries have the highest population density levels:
These countries are characterised by concentrated settlement along coastlines and highland regions.
Least densely populated countries in South America
These South American countries have the lowest population density levels:
In these countries, settlement is concentrated in specific urban and agricultural corridors while vast interior regions remain lightly inhabited.
Complete South America population density ranking
The table below ranks South American countries and territories by population density, from highest to lowest.
Population density figures are based on United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 data and measured in people per square kilometer.
Country listings follow commonly used geographic conventions and may include transcontinental states.
| Continent Ranking | Country | Population Density | Global Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | 72.4 | 148 |
| 2 | Colombia | 46.6 | 171 |
| 3 | Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | 30.9 | 184 |
| 4 | Peru | 26.4 | 192 |
| 5 | Chile | 26.1 | 194 |
| 6 | Brazil | 25.3 | 196 |
| 7 | Uruguay | 19.6 | 202 |
| 8 | Paraguay | 16.9 | 210 |
| 9 | Argentina | 16.3 | 211 |
| 10 | Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | 11.3 | 218 |
| 11 | Guyana | 4.2 | 228 |
| 12 | Suriname | 4.0 | 229 |
| 13 | French Guiana | 3.7 | 231 |
| 14 | Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | 0.3 | 236 |
Some of South America’s largest countries by land area remain sparsely populated across most of their territory, including Brazil (25.3 people per square kilometer), Argentina (16.3), Bolivia (11.3), and Venezuela (30.9).
Why population density in South America matters
Population density in South America directly affects:
- Housing availability
- Urban development
- Infrastructure pressure
- Transport systems
- Resource distribution
- Environmental sustainability
- Economic productivity
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. With seven years of teaching experience and a background in educational content, she specialises in creating clear reference resources about countries, geography and global topics.