Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa
South Africa: Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants was 1.7% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa, 1955–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.7% for annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in 2020.
The figure is up 14.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa peaked at 3.7% in 1960 and was at its lowest, -0.4%, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 24th of 144 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | -0.4% | — |
| 1960 | 3.7% | -952.1% |
| 1965 | -0.4% | -111.9% |
| 1970 | 2.1% | -577.6% |
| 1975 | 1.2% | -41.3% |
| 1980 | 1.3% | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 0.9% | -31.3% |
| 1990 | -0.3% | -137.1% |
| 1995 | 2.8% | -939.5% |
| 2000 | 2.6% | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 3.6% | +34.8% |
| 2010 | 1.5% | -58.5% |
| 2015 | 0.6% | -60.0% |
| 2020 | 1.7% | +186.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | -0.4% | -0.4% | -0.4% | 1 |
| 1960s | 1.6% | -0.4% | 3.7% | 2 |
| 1970s | 1.7% | 1.2% | 2.1% | 2 |
| 1980s | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.3% | 2 |
| 1990s | 1.2% | -0.3% | 2.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 3.1% | 2.6% | 3.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.0% | 0.6% | 1.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa?
- Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants in South Africa was 1.7% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.7% in 1960.
- What is the lowest annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.4% in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 144 countries with data for 2020.
- Is annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual growth rate of population share in cities with at least 300,000 inhabitants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average annual growth in the share of population living in cities with at least 300,000 people, calculated over five-year periods. For example, 2020 reflects average growth between 2015–2020. City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.