Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa
South Africa: Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate was -0.4939 % change on previous year in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
-0.4939 % change on previous year
Change on year
up 47.1%
World rank
61st
of 236 countries
All-time high
5.27 % change on previous year
in 2008
All-time low
-8.59 % change on previous year
in 1997
Years of data
73
1951–2023
Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa, 1951–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa is -0.4939 % change on previous year, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 47.1% on the previous year and up 36.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa peaked at 5.27 % change on previous year in 2008 and was at its lowest, -8.59 % change on previous year, in 1997.
That places South Africa 61st out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 0.5139 % change on previous year | — |
| 1952 | 0.2969 % change on previous year | -42.2% |
| 1953 | 0.2138 % change on previous year | -28.0% |
| 1954 | 0.2461 % change on previous year | +15.1% |
| 1955 | 0.2946 % change on previous year | +19.7% |
| 1956 | 0.0653 % change on previous year | -77.8% |
| 1957 | 0.0816 % change on previous year | +24.9% |
| 1958 | 0.1141 % change on previous year | +39.9% |
| 1959 | -0.2767 % change on previous year | -342.6% |
| 1960 | -0.3428 % change on previous year | +23.9% |
| 1961 | -0.4095 % change on previous year | +19.5% |
| 1962 | -0.5592 % change on previous year | +36.6% |
| 1963 | -0.5624 % change on previous year | +0.6% |
| 1964 | -0.9481 % change on previous year | +68.6% |
| 1965 | -1.06 % change on previous year | +11.6% |
| 1966 | 0.2546 % change on previous year | -124.1% |
| 1967 | -0.9311 % change on previous year | -465.7% |
| 1968 | -1.2 % change on previous year | +28.5% |
| 1969 | -1.09 % change on previous year | -8.9% |
| 1970 | -1.49 % change on previous year | +36.4% |
| 1971 | -1.15 % change on previous year | -22.4% |
| 1972 | -1.42 % change on previous year | +23.0% |
| 1973 | -1.4 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
| 1974 | -2.12 % change on previous year | +51.5% |
| 1975 | -2.02 % change on previous year | -4.9% |
| 1976 | -2.31 % change on previous year | +14.5% |
| 1977 | -2.54 % change on previous year | +10.0% |
| 1978 | -1.8 % change on previous year | -29.2% |
| 1979 | -0.7212 % change on previous year | -60.0% |
| 1980 | -0.7887 % change on previous year | +9.4% |
| 1981 | -1.42 % change on previous year | +80.4% |
| 1982 | -0.3396 % change on previous year | -76.1% |
| 1983 | -1.49 % change on previous year | +339.0% |
| 1984 | -1.3 % change on previous year | -13.0% |
| 1985 | -1.55 % change on previous year | +19.9% |
| 1986 | -1.91 % change on previous year | +23.0% |
| 1987 | -1.29 % change on previous year | -32.4% |
| 1988 | -3.95 % change on previous year | +205.7% |
| 1989 | -4.71 % change on previous year | +19.2% |
| 1990 | -6.5 % change on previous year | +38.0% |
| 1991 | -2.85 % change on previous year | -56.2% |
| 1992 | -3.84 % change on previous year | +35.0% |
| 1993 | -3.08 % change on previous year | -19.9% |
| 1994 | -3.38 % change on previous year | +9.9% |
| 1995 | -2.64 % change on previous year | -21.9% |
| 1996 | -5.71 % change on previous year | +116.2% |
| 1997 | -8.59 % change on previous year | +50.6% |
| 1998 | -3.8 % change on previous year | -55.7% |
| 1999 | -2.7 % change on previous year | -29.0% |
| 2000 | -5.71 % change on previous year | +111.3% |
| 2001 | -1.66 % change on previous year | -70.9% |
| 2002 | -2.06 % change on previous year | +24.6% |
| 2003 | 1.46 % change on previous year | -170.9% |
| 2004 | 3.31 % change on previous year | +126.1% |
| 2005 | 3.12 % change on previous year | -5.7% |
| 2006 | 1.43 % change on previous year | -54.1% |
| 2007 | -0.1177 % change on previous year | -108.2% |
| 2008 | 5.27 % change on previous year | -4572.0% |
| 2009 | -6.64 % change on previous year | -226.2% |
| 2010 | -2.24 % change on previous year | -66.3% |
| 2011 | -0.3681 % change on previous year | -83.6% |
| 2012 | 0.4516 % change on previous year | -222.7% |
| 2013 | -0.7765 % change on previous year | -272.0% |
| 2014 | -0.1647 % change on previous year | -78.8% |
| 2015 | -2.68 % change on previous year | +1527.7% |
| 2016 | -4.15 % change on previous year | +54.9% |
| 2017 | 0.973 % change on previous year | -123.4% |
| 2018 | -0.5694 % change on previous year | -158.5% |
| 2019 | -0.2643 % change on previous year | -53.6% |
| 2020 | -0.3092 % change on previous year | +17.0% |
| 2021 | -0.3988 % change on previous year | +29.0% |
| 2022 | -0.9342 % change on previous year | +134.3% |
| 2023 | -0.4939 % change on previous year | -47.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.1722 % change on previous year | -0.2767 % change on previous year | 0.5139 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1960s | -0.6842 % change on previous year | -1.2 % change on previous year | 0.2546 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.7 % change on previous year | -2.54 % change on previous year | -0.7212 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.88 % change on previous year | -4.71 % change on previous year | -0.3396 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | -4.31 % change on previous year | -8.59 % change on previous year | -2.64 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.1601 % change on previous year | -6.64 % change on previous year | 5.27 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.9793 % change on previous year | -4.15 % change on previous year | 0.973 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.534 % change on previous year | -0.9342 % change on previous year | -0.3092 % change on previous year | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 58 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of -0.431 % change on previous year compare
- 59 Bahamas -0.4351 % change on previous year compare
- 60 Saint Kitts and Nevis -0.463 % change on previous year compare
- 62 Sri Lanka -0.504 % change on previous year compare
- 63 Maldives -0.5054 % change on previous year compare
- 64 Isle of Man -0.5141 % change on previous year compare
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 comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa?
- Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate in South Africa was -0.4939 % change on previous year in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.27 % change on previous year in 2008.
- What is the lowest comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -8.59 % change on previous year in 1997.
- How does South Africa rank for comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate?
- South Africa ranks 61st out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Comparison of fertility rates, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 73 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Comparison of fertility rates. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Comparison of fertility rates that account for survival of children Human Fertility Database (2025); UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Comparison of fertility rates. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.