Annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa
South Africa: Annual rate of change in urban populations was 1.7 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa, 1955–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.7 for annual rate of change in urban populations in 2020.
The figure is up 14.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa peaked at 3.72 in 1960 and was at its lowest, -0.4434, 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 rate of change in urban populations in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | -0.4362 | — |
| 1960 | 3.72 | -952.1% |
| 1965 | -0.4434 | -111.9% |
| 1970 | 2.12 | -577.6% |
| 1975 | 1.24 | -41.3% |
| 1980 | 1.29 | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 0.8865 | -31.3% |
| 1990 | -0.3293 | -137.1% |
| 1995 | 2.76 | -939.5% |
| 2000 | 2.64 | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 3.56 | +34.8% |
| 2010 | 1.48 | -58.5% |
| 2015 | 0.5919 | -60.0% |
| 2020 | 1.7 | +186.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1.7 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.2439, 7.0× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1.7 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.3, 1.3× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | +952.1% | -0.4362 | 3.72 |
| 1995 | +939.5% | -0.3293 | 2.76 |
| 1970 | +577.6% | -0.4434 | 2.12 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | -0.4362 | -0.4362 | -0.4362 | 1 |
| 1960s | 1.64 | -0.4434 | 3.72 | 2 |
| 1970s | 1.68 | 1.24 | 2.12 | 2 |
| 1980s | 1.09 | 0.8865 | 1.29 | 2 |
| 1990s | 1.22 | -0.3293 | 2.76 | 2 |
| 2000s | 3.1 | 2.64 | 3.56 | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.04 | 0.5919 | 1.48 | 2 |
| 2020s | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa?
- Annual rate of change in urban populations in South Africa was 1.7 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual rate of change in urban populations recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.72 in 1960.
- What is the lowest annual rate of change in urban populations recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.4434 in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for annual rate of change in urban populations?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 144 countries with data for 2020.
- Is annual rate of change in urban populations 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Annual rate of change in urban populations. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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