Italy vs South Africa: Urban and rural population
Italy
41.21 million
in 2025
South Africa
41.32 million
in 2025
Italy rank
25th
South Africa rank
24th
Urban and rural population over time
- Italy
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 41.32 million against 41.21 million in Italy, a difference of 105,200.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 76 shared years of data; in 1950 it was Italy ahead.
Italy ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 24th of 236 countries.
Italy has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Italy | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 27.03 million | 6.44 million | 20.60 million | Italy |
| 1960s | 31.64 million | 8.93 million | 22.71 million | Italy |
| 1970s | 36.08 million | 12.20 million | 23.88 million | Italy |
| 1980s | 37.95 million | 17.08 million | 20.87 million | Italy |
| 1990s | 38.23 million | 23.54 million | 14.70 million | Italy |
| 2000s | 39.45 million | 29.32 million | 10.13 million | Italy |
| 2010s | 41.81 million | 35.30 million | 6.51 million | Italy |
| 2020s | 41.41 million | 39.89 million | 1.53 million | Italy |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, Italy or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 41.32 million against 41.21 million in Italy as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between Italy and South Africa?
- 105,200, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Italy and South Africa?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do Italy and South Africa rank globally for urban and rural population?
- Italy ranks 25th 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.