Iran vs South Africa: Population of cities towns and villages

Iran
13.42 million
in 2020
South Africa
12.95 million
in 2020
Iran rank
24th
South Africa rank
25th

Population of cities towns and villages over time

  • Iran
  • South Africa
05.0M10.0M15.0M195019852020

How they compare

Iran currently reports 13.42 million against 12.95 million in South Africa, a difference of 475,300.

The two have swapped places 4 times across 15 shared years of data; in 1950 it was Iran ahead.

Iran ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 25th of 236 countries.

Across the 8 decades both report, Iran averaged higher in 3 and South Africa in 5.

Head to head by decade

Decade Iran South Africa Difference Ahead
1950s 6.99 million 6.95 million 33,350 Iran
1960s 7.89 million 8.12 million 228,080 South Africa
1970s 8.80 million 9.50 million 704,485 South Africa
1980s 10.74 million 11.18 million 443,875 South Africa
1990s 12.66 million 12.74 million 79,400 South Africa
2000s 12.73 million 12.76 million 32,450 South Africa
2010s 13.03 million 12.84 million 190,600 Iran
2020s 13.42 million 12.95 million 475,300 Iran

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher population of cities towns and villages, Iran or South Africa?
Iran, at 13.42 million against 12.95 million in South Africa as of 2020.
What is the difference in population of cities towns and villages between Iran and South Africa?
475,300, with Iran ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Iran and South Africa?
15 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2020.
How do Iran and South Africa rank globally for population of cities towns and villages?
Iran ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 25th of 236 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Our World in Data, published as Population of cities towns and villages. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Iran vs South Africa: Population of cities towns and villages. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 12 November 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/compare/population-of-cities-towns-and-villages/iran-islamic-rep/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Population of cities towns and villages
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
236 places, 3,540 data points, 1950–2020
Last refreshed