New internal displacements in South Africa
South Africa: New internal displacements was 44,760 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
New internal displacements in South Africa, 2008–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2025, new internal displacements in South Africa stood at 44,760.
That represents a change of down 20.5% on the previous year and up 319,614.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, new internal displacements in South Africa peaked at 61,700 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 14, in 2015.
That places South Africa 53rd out of 170 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
New internal displacements in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,500 | — |
| 2009 | 20,000 | +471.4% |
| 2010 | 6,000 | -70.0% |
| 2011 | 52,172 | +769.5% |
| 2012 | 2,000 | -96.2% |
| 2013 | 17,663 | +783.1% |
| 2014 | 3,525 | -80.0% |
| 2015 | 14 | -99.6% |
| 2016 | 2,999 | +21321.4% |
| 2017 | 14,660 | +388.8% |
| 2018 | 2,058 | -86.0% |
| 2019 | 7,466 | +262.8% |
| 2020 | 372 | -95.0% |
| 2021 | 10,815 | +2807.3% |
| 2022 | 61,700 | +470.5% |
| 2023 | 20,932 | -66.1% |
| 2024 | 56,310 | +169.0% |
| 2025 | 44,760 | -20.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 44,760 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2,895, 15.5× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 44,760 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13,949, 3.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where New internal displacements 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +21321.4% | 14 | 2,999 |
| 2021 | +2807.3% | 372 | 10,815 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11,750 | 3,500 | 20,000 | 2 |
| 2010s | 10,856 | 14 | 52,172 | 10 |
| 2020s | 32,482 | 372 | 61,700 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is new internal displacements in South Africa?
- New internal displacements in South Africa was 44,760 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest new internal displacements recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 61,700 in 2022.
- What is the lowest new internal displacements recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 14 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for new internal displacements?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 170 countries with data for 2025.
- Is new internal displacements rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 319,614.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of New internal displacements. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).