Fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa
South Africa: Fertility and wanted fertility was 2.21 in 2024. βΌ Falling
Fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa, 1960β2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa is 2.21, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 65 years on record.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 9.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa peaked at 6.11 in 1960 and was at its lowest, 2.21, in 2024.
South Africa ranks 94th of 215 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 65 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5.94 | 5.72 | 6.11 | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.23 | 4.82 | 5.63 | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.48 | 3.98 | 4.78 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.15 | 2.56 | 3.72 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.47 | 2.32 | 2.68 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.36 | 2.26 | 2.45 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.23 | 2.21 | 2.26 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (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)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.8825 % change on previous year (2030)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum 71,171 (2024)
- Fertility vs unmet contraception 2.21 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa?
- Fertility and wanted fertility in South Africa was 2.21 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fertility and wanted fertility recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.11 in 1960.
- What is the lowest fertility and wanted fertility recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.21 in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for fertility and wanted fertility?
- South Africa ranks 94th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is fertility and wanted fertility rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Fertility and wanted fertility. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV Β· JSON β 65 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).