Share of the population born in another country in South Africa
South Africa: Share of the population born in another country was 4.1% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Share of the population born in another country in South Africa, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 4.1% for share of the population born in another country in 2024.
The figure is down 26.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population born in another country in South Africa peaked at 5.6% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 2000.
That places South Africa 140th out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.7% | 2.3% | 3.2% | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.6% | 2.1% | 3.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.0% | 4.3% | 5.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 4.1% | 4.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 71,171 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.22 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.07 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population born in another country in South Africa?
- Share of the population born in another country in South Africa was 4.1% in 2024, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population born in another country recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.6% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of the population born in another country recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for share of the population born in another country?
- South Africa ranks 140th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of the population born in another country rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population born in another country. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Immigrants as a share of the total population.