Colombia vs South Africa: Urban and rural population
Colombia
42.09 million
in 2025
South Africa
41.32 million
in 2025
Colombia rank
22nd
South Africa rank
24th
Urban and rural population over time
- Colombia
- South Africa
How they compare
Colombia currently reports 42.09 million against 41.32 million in South Africa, a difference of 771,400.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 76 shared years of data; in 1950 it was South Africa ahead.
Colombia ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 24th of 236 countries.
Across the 8 decades both report, Colombia averaged higher in 7 and South Africa in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Colombia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5.76 million | 6.44 million | 674,705 | South Africa |
| 1960s | 9.46 million | 8.93 million | 528,210 | Colombia |
| 1970s | 14.26 million | 12.20 million | 2.06 million | Colombia |
| 1980s | 19.37 million | 17.08 million | 2.29 million | Colombia |
| 1990s | 25.42 million | 23.54 million | 1.88 million | Colombia |
| 2000s | 31.64 million | 29.32 million | 2.32 million | Colombia |
| 2010s | 36.23 million | 35.30 million | 929,370 | Colombia |
| 2020s | 40.68 million | 39.89 million | 797,500 | Colombia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, Colombia or South Africa?
- Colombia, at 42.09 million against 41.32 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between Colombia and South Africa?
- 771,400, with Colombia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Colombia and South Africa?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Colombia and South Africa rank globally for urban and rural population?
- Colombia ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 24th of 236 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Urban and rural population. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.