South Africa vs Vietnam: Urban and rural population
South Africa
41.32 million
in 2025
Vietnam
39.45 million
in 2025
South Africa rank
24th
Vietnam rank
26th
Urban and rural population over time
- South Africa
- Vietnam
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 41.32 million against 39.45 million in Vietnam, a difference of 1.87 million.
Across all 76 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 24th and Vietnam ranks 26th of 236 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | Vietnam | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 6.44 million | 3.29 million | 3.15 million | South Africa |
| 1960s | 8.93 million | 6.51 million | 2.43 million | South Africa |
| 1970s | 12.20 million | 9.32 million | 2.88 million | South Africa |
| 1980s | 17.08 million | 11.13 million | 5.95 million | South Africa |
| 1990s | 23.54 million | 15.21 million | 8.32 million | South Africa |
| 2000s | 29.32 million | 22.06 million | 7.26 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 35.30 million | 29.83 million | 5.47 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 39.89 million | 37.53 million | 2.36 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 Vietnam?
- South Africa, at 41.32 million against 39.45 million in Vietnam as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between South Africa and Vietnam?
- 1.87 million, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Vietnam?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do South Africa and Vietnam rank globally for urban and rural population?
- South Africa ranks 24th and Vietnam ranks 26th 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.