Population density of the capital city in South Africa
South Africa: Population density of the capital city was 4,739 people per km² in 2100. ▲ Rising
Population density of the capital city in South Africa, 2020–2100
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people per km².
Analysis
In 2100, population density of the capital city in South Africa stood at 4,739 people per km². That is the highest value across all 17 years on record.
The figure is up 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population density of the capital city in South Africa peaked at 4,739 people per km² in 2100 and was at its lowest, 4,109 people per km², in 2020.
That places South Africa 118th out of 191 countries with data for 2100, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 17 years of available data.
Population density of the capital city in South Africa, year by year
| Year | people per km² | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,109 people per km² | — |
| 2025 | 4,331 people per km² | +5.4% |
| 2030 | 4,340 people per km² | +0.2% |
| 2035 | 4,418 people per km² | +1.8% |
| 2040 | 4,486 people per km² | +1.5% |
| 2045 | 4,553 people per km² | +1.5% |
| 2050 | 4,585 people per km² | +0.7% |
| 2055 | 4,647 people per km² | +1.3% |
| 2060 | 4,730 people per km² | +1.8% |
| 2065 | 4,712 people per km² | -0.4% |
| 2070 | 4,730 people per km² | +0.4% |
| 2075 | 4,725 people per km² | -0.1% |
| 2080 | 4,731 people per km² | +0.1% |
| 2085 | 4,659 people per km² | -1.5% |
| 2090 | 4,686 people per km² | +0.6% |
| 2095 | 4,719 people per km² | +0.7% |
| 2100 | 4,739 people per km² | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,220 people per km² | 4,109 people per km² | 4,331 people per km² | 2 |
| 2030s | 4,379 people per km² | 4,340 people per km² | 4,418 people per km² | 2 |
| 2040s | 4,520 people per km² | 4,486 people per km² | 4,553 people per km² | 2 |
| 2050s | 4,616 people per km² | 4,585 people per km² | 4,647 people per km² | 2 |
| 2060s | 4,721 people per km² | 4,712 people per km² | 4,730 people per km² | 2 |
| 2070s | 4,728 people per km² | 4,725 people per km² | 4,730 people per km² | 2 |
| 2080s | 4,695 people per km² | 4,659 people per km² | 4,731 people per km² | 2 |
| 2090s | 4,702 people per km² | 4,686 people per km² | 4,719 people per km² | 2 |
| 2100s | 4,739 people per km² | 4,739 people per km² | 4,739 people per km² | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 population density of the capital city in South Africa?
- Population density of the capital city in South Africa was 4,739 people per km² in 2100, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population density of the capital city recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4,739 people per km² in 2100.
- What is the lowest population density of the capital city recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,109 people per km² in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for population density of the capital city?
- South Africa ranks 118th out of 191 countries with data for 2100.
- Is population density of the capital city rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Population density of the capital city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Projected number of people per km² of land area in the country's capital city. City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.