South Africa vs Spain: Urban and rural population
South Africa
41.32 million
in 2025
Spain
38.56 million
in 2025
South Africa rank
24th
Spain rank
27th
Urban and rural population over time
- South Africa
- Spain
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 41.32 million against 38.56 million in Spain, a difference of 2.76 million.
That makes South Africa's figure about 1.1 times Spain's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 76 shared years of data; in 1950 it was Spain ahead.
South Africa ranks 24th and Spain ranks 27th of 236 countries.
Across the 8 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 1 and Spain in 7.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | Spain | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 6.44 million | 15.56 million | 9.13 million | Spain |
| 1960s | 8.93 million | 19.41 million | 10.48 million | Spain |
| 1970s | 12.20 million | 24.45 million | 12.25 million | Spain |
| 1980s | 17.08 million | 28.14 million | 11.06 million | Spain |
| 1990s | 23.54 million | 30.15 million | 6.61 million | Spain |
| 2000s | 29.32 million | 33.71 million | 4.39 million | Spain |
| 2010s | 35.30 million | 37.14 million | 1.83 million | Spain |
| 2020s | 39.89 million | 38.29 million | 1.59 million | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, South Africa or Spain?
- South Africa, at 41.32 million against 38.56 million in Spain as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between South Africa and Spain?
- 2.76 million, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Spain?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do South Africa and Spain rank globally for urban and rural population?
- South Africa ranks 24th and Spain ranks 27th 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.