Population density in South Africa
South Africa: Population density was 77.75 in 2100. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2100)
77.75
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
140th
of 235 countries
All-time high
77.75
in 2100
All-time low
0.2127
in 1000
Years of data
318
1000–2100
Population density in South Africa, 1000–2100
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 77.75 for population density in 2100. That is the highest value across all 318 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.2% on the previous year and up 2.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population density in South Africa peaked at 77.75 in 2100 and was at its lowest, 0.2127, in 1000.
That places South Africa 140th out of 235 countries with data for 2100, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population density in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.2127 | — |
| 1100 | 0.2552 | +20.0% |
| 1200 | 0.2978 | +16.7% |
| 1300 | 0.3403 | +14.3% |
| 1400 | 0.3828 | +12.5% |
| 1500 | 0.4254 | +11.1% |
| 1600 | 0.4963 | +16.7% |
| 1700 | 0.7089 | +42.9% |
| 1710 | 0.6955 | -1.9% |
| 1720 | 0.6821 | -1.9% |
| 1730 | 0.6688 | -2.0% |
| 1740 | 0.6554 | -2.0% |
| 1750 | 0.642 | -2.0% |
| 1760 | 0.6286 | -2.1% |
| 1770 | 0.6152 | -2.1% |
| 1780 | 0.6018 | -2.2% |
| 1790 | 0.5884 | -2.2% |
| 1800 | 1.19 | +102.9% |
| 1801 | 1.2 | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 1.2 | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 1.21 | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 1.21 | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 1.22 | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 1.22 | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 1.22 | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 1.23 | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 1.23 | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 1.24 | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 1.24 | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 1.25 | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 1.25 | +0.5% |
| 1814 | 1.26 | +0.5% |
| 1815 | 1.27 | +0.5% |
| 1816 | 1.27 | +0.6% |
| 1817 | 1.28 | +0.6% |
| 1818 | 1.29 | +0.6% |
| 1819 | 1.3 | +0.6% |
| 1820 | 1.31 | +0.7% |
| 1821 | 1.32 | +1.1% |
| 1822 | 1.34 | +1.1% |
| 1823 | 1.37 | +2.2% |
| 1824 | 1.4 | +2.2% |
| 1825 | 1.43 | +2.2% |
| 1826 | 1.46 | +2.2% |
| 1827 | 1.49 | +2.2% |
| 1828 | 1.53 | +2.2% |
| 1829 | 1.56 | +2.2% |
| 1830 | 1.59 | +2.2% |
| 1831 | 1.63 | +2.2% |
| 1832 | 1.67 | +2.2% |
| 1833 | 1.7 | +2.2% |
| 1834 | 1.74 | +2.2% |
| 1835 | 1.78 | +2.2% |
| 1836 | 1.82 | +2.2% |
| 1837 | 1.86 | +2.2% |
| 1838 | 1.9 | +2.2% |
| 1839 | 1.95 | +2.2% |
| 1840 | 1.99 | +2.2% |
| 1841 | 2.03 | +2.2% |
| 1842 | 2.08 | +2.2% |
| 1843 | 2.12 | +2.2% |
| 1844 | 2.17 | +2.2% |
| 1845 | 2.22 | +2.2% |
| 1846 | 2.27 | +2.2% |
| 1847 | 2.32 | +2.2% |
| 1848 | 2.37 | +2.2% |
| 1849 | 2.42 | +2.0% |
| 1850 | 2.46 | +1.7% |
| 1851 | 2.5 | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 2.53 | +1.3% |
| 1853 | 2.56 | +1.1% |
| 1854 | 2.59 | +1.1% |
| 1855 | 2.62 | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 2.64 | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 2.67 | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 2.7 | +1.1% |
| 1859 | 2.73 | +1.1% |
| 1860 | 2.76 | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 2.79 | +1.1% |
| 1862 | 2.82 | +1.1% |
| 1863 | 2.85 | +1.1% |
| 1864 | 2.88 | +1.1% |
| 1865 | 2.91 | +1.1% |
| 1866 | 2.94 | +1.1% |
| 1867 | 2.98 | +1.1% |
| 1868 | 3.01 | +1.1% |
| 1869 | 3.04 | +1.1% |
| 1870 | 3.07 | +1.1% |
| 1871 | 3.11 | +1.1% |
| 1872 | 3.14 | +1.1% |
| 1873 | 3.17 | +1.1% |
| 1874 | 3.21 | +1.1% |
| 1875 | 3.24 | +1.1% |
| 1876 | 3.28 | +1.1% |
| 1877 | 3.31 | +1.1% |
| 1878 | 3.35 | +1.1% |
| 1879 | 3.39 | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 3.42 | +1.1% |
| 1881 | 3.46 | +1.1% |
| 1882 | 3.5 | +1.1% |
| 1883 | 3.53 | +1.1% |
| 1884 | 3.57 | +1.1% |
| 1885 | 3.61 | +1.1% |
| 1886 | 3.65 | +1.1% |
| 1887 | 3.69 | +1.1% |
| 1888 | 3.73 | +1.1% |
| 1889 | 3.77 | +1.1% |
| 1890 | 3.81 | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 3.85 | +1.1% |
| 1892 | 3.89 | +1.1% |
| 1893 | 3.93 | +1.1% |
| 1894 | 3.98 | +1.1% |
| 1895 | 4.02 | +1.1% |
| 1896 | 4.06 | +1.1% |
| 1897 | 4.11 | +1.1% |
| 1898 | 4.15 | +1.1% |
| 1899 | 4.2 | +1.2% |
| 1900 | 4.26 | +1.3% |
| 1901 | 4.32 | +1.5% |
| 1902 | 4.39 | +1.6% |
| 1903 | 4.46 | +1.7% |
| 1904 | 4.54 | +1.7% |
| 1905 | 4.62 | +1.7% |
| 1906 | 4.7 | +1.7% |
| 1907 | 4.78 | +1.7% |
| 1908 | 4.86 | +1.7% |
| 1909 | 4.94 | +1.7% |
| 1910 | 5.02 | +1.7% |
| 1911 | 5.11 | +1.7% |
| 1912 | 5.19 | +1.6% |
| 1913 | 5.27 | +1.6% |
| 1914 | 5.36 | +1.6% |
| 1915 | 5.45 | +1.6% |
| 1916 | 5.53 | +1.6% |
| 1917 | 5.62 | +1.6% |
| 1918 | 5.71 | +1.6% |
| 1919 | 5.81 | +1.7% |
| 1920 | 5.91 | +1.8% |
| 1921 | 6.02 | +1.9% |
| 1922 | 6.14 | +2.0% |
| 1923 | 6.27 | +2.1% |
| 1924 | 6.4 | +2.1% |
| 1925 | 6.54 | +2.1% |
| 1926 | 6.67 | +2.1% |
| 1927 | 6.81 | +2.1% |
| 1928 | 6.96 | +2.1% |
| 1929 | 7.1 | +2.1% |
| 1930 | 7.25 | +2.1% |
| 1931 | 7.4 | +2.1% |
| 1932 | 7.55 | +2.0% |
| 1933 | 7.7 | +2.0% |
| 1934 | 7.86 | +2.0% |
| 1935 | 8.01 | +2.0% |
| 1936 | 8.18 | +2.0% |
| 1937 | 8.34 | +2.0% |
| 1938 | 8.51 | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 8.68 | +2.0% |
| 1940 | 8.85 | +2.0% |
| 1941 | 9.02 | +2.0% |
| 1942 | 9.2 | +1.9% |
| 1943 | 9.38 | +1.9% |
| 1944 | 9.56 | +1.9% |
| 1945 | 9.74 | +1.9% |
| 1946 | 9.93 | +1.9% |
| 1947 | 10.12 | +1.9% |
| 1948 | 10.31 | +1.9% |
| 1949 | 10.52 | +2.1% |
| 1950 | 10.75 | +2.1% |
| 1951 | 10.97 | +2.1% |
| 1952 | 11.21 | +2.2% |
| 1953 | 11.45 | +2.2% |
| 1954 | 11.71 | +2.2% |
| 1955 | 11.98 | +2.3% |
| 1956 | 12.27 | +2.4% |
| 1957 | 12.57 | +2.4% |
| 1958 | 12.88 | +2.5% |
| 1959 | 13.2 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 13.55 | +2.7% |
| 1961 | 13.94 | +2.8% |
| 1962 | 14.36 | +3.0% |
| 1963 | 14.8 | +3.1% |
| 1964 | 15.26 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 15.74 | +3.1% |
| 1966 | 16.23 | +3.1% |
| 1967 | 16.75 | +3.2% |
| 1968 | 17.28 | +3.2% |
| 1969 | 17.82 | +3.1% |
| 1970 | 18.37 | +3.1% |
| 1971 | 18.91 | +3.0% |
| 1972 | 19.46 | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 20.03 | +2.9% |
| 1974 | 20.6 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 21.18 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 21.76 | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 22.36 | +2.7% |
| 1978 | 22.97 | +2.8% |
| 1979 | 23.6 | +2.7% |
| 1980 | 24.33 | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 25.18 | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 26.06 | +3.5% |
| 1983 | 26.99 | +3.6% |
| 1984 | 27.94 | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 28.89 | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 29.83 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 30.77 | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 31.72 | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 32.67 | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 33.59 | +2.8% |
| 1991 | 34.37 | +2.3% |
| 1992 | 34.99 | +1.8% |
| 1993 | 35.69 | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 36.27 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 36.72 | +1.2% |
| 1996 | 37.2 | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 37.65 | +1.2% |
| 1998 | 38.1 | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 38.52 | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 38.88 | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 39.21 | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 39.58 | +1.0% |
| 2003 | 39.98 | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 40.39 | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 40.8 | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 41.22 | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 41.65 | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 42.14 | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 42.64 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 43.15 | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 43.69 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 44.34 | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 45.07 | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 45.83 | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 46.76 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 47.2 | +0.9% |
| 2017 | 47.51 | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 48.32 | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 49.12 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 49.92 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 50.7 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 51.42 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 52.11 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 52.76 | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 53.37 | +1.2% |
| 2026 | 53.96 | +1.1% |
| 2027 | 54.52 | +1.1% |
| 2028 | 55.09 | +1.0% |
| 2029 | 55.65 | +1.0% |
| 2030 | 56.19 | +1.0% |
| 2031 | 56.71 | +0.9% |
| 2032 | 57.23 | +0.9% |
| 2033 | 57.74 | +0.9% |
| 2034 | 58.23 | +0.9% |
| 2035 | 58.72 | +0.8% |
| 2036 | 59.2 | +0.8% |
| 2037 | 59.67 | +0.8% |
| 2038 | 60.14 | +0.8% |
| 2039 | 60.59 | +0.7% |
| 2040 | 61.03 | +0.7% |
| 2041 | 61.48 | +0.7% |
| 2042 | 61.92 | +0.7% |
| 2043 | 62.35 | +0.7% |
| 2044 | 62.79 | +0.7% |
| 2045 | 63.21 | +0.7% |
| 2046 | 63.64 | +0.7% |
| 2047 | 64.06 | +0.7% |
| 2048 | 64.48 | +0.6% |
| 2049 | 64.88 | +0.6% |
| 2050 | 65.27 | +0.6% |
| 2051 | 65.66 | +0.6% |
| 2052 | 66.04 | +0.6% |
| 2053 | 66.41 | +0.6% |
| 2054 | 66.77 | +0.5% |
| 2055 | 67.12 | +0.5% |
| 2056 | 67.47 | +0.5% |
| 2057 | 67.8 | +0.5% |
| 2058 | 68.14 | +0.5% |
| 2059 | 68.47 | +0.5% |
| 2060 | 68.79 | +0.5% |
| 2061 | 69.09 | +0.4% |
| 2062 | 69.4 | +0.4% |
| 2063 | 69.7 | +0.4% |
| 2064 | 70 | +0.4% |
| 2065 | 70.28 | +0.4% |
| 2066 | 70.56 | +0.4% |
| 2067 | 70.82 | +0.4% |
| 2068 | 71.08 | +0.4% |
| 2069 | 71.34 | +0.4% |
| 2070 | 71.6 | +0.4% |
| 2071 | 71.87 | +0.4% |
| 2072 | 72.12 | +0.3% |
| 2073 | 72.35 | +0.3% |
| 2074 | 72.58 | +0.3% |
| 2075 | 72.81 | +0.3% |
| 2076 | 73.03 | +0.3% |
| 2077 | 73.25 | +0.3% |
| 2078 | 73.48 | +0.3% |
| 2079 | 73.7 | +0.3% |
| 2080 | 73.92 | +0.3% |
| 2081 | 74.14 | +0.3% |
| 2082 | 74.36 | +0.3% |
| 2083 | 74.58 | +0.3% |
| 2084 | 74.79 | +0.3% |
| 2085 | 74.98 | +0.3% |
| 2086 | 75.18 | +0.3% |
| 2087 | 75.38 | +0.3% |
| 2088 | 75.58 | +0.3% |
| 2089 | 75.78 | +0.3% |
| 2090 | 75.97 | +0.3% |
| 2091 | 76.17 | +0.3% |
| 2092 | 76.36 | +0.3% |
| 2093 | 76.55 | +0.2% |
| 2094 | 76.73 | +0.2% |
| 2095 | 76.91 | +0.2% |
| 2096 | 77.08 | +0.2% |
| 2097 | 77.24 | +0.2% |
| 2098 | 77.4 | +0.2% |
| 2099 | 77.57 | +0.2% |
| 2100 | 77.75 | +0.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 77.75 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 67.23, 1.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 77.75 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 156.3, 50% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Population density 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | +102.9% | 0.5884 | 1.19 |
| 1700 | +42.9% | 0.4963 | 0.7089 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.2127 | 0.2127 | 0.2127 | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.2552 | 0.2552 | 0.2552 | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.2978 | 0.2978 | 0.2978 | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.3403 | 0.3403 | 0.3403 | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.3828 | 0.3828 | 0.3828 | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.4254 | 0.4254 | 0.4254 | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.4963 | 0.4963 | 0.4963 | 1 |
| 1700s | 0.7089 | 0.7089 | 0.7089 | 1 |
| 1710s | 0.6955 | 0.6955 | 0.6955 | 1 |
| 1720s | 0.6821 | 0.6821 | 0.6821 | 1 |
| 1730s | 0.6688 | 0.6688 | 0.6688 | 1 |
| 1740s | 0.6554 | 0.6554 | 0.6554 | 1 |
| 1750s | 0.642 | 0.642 | 0.642 | 1 |
| 1760s | 0.6286 | 0.6286 | 0.6286 | 1 |
| 1770s | 0.6152 | 0.6152 | 0.6152 | 1 |
| 1780s | 0.6018 | 0.6018 | 0.6018 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.5884 | 0.5884 | 0.5884 | 1 |
| 1800s | 1.21 | 1.19 | 1.23 | 10 |
| 1810s | 1.27 | 1.24 | 1.3 | 10 |
| 1820s | 1.42 | 1.31 | 1.56 | 10 |
| 1830s | 1.76 | 1.59 | 1.95 | 10 |
| 1840s | 2.2 | 1.99 | 2.42 | 10 |
| 1850s | 2.6 | 2.46 | 2.73 | 10 |
| 1860s | 2.9 | 2.76 | 3.04 | 10 |
| 1870s | 3.23 | 3.07 | 3.39 | 10 |
| 1880s | 3.59 | 3.42 | 3.77 | 10 |
| 1890s | 4 | 3.81 | 4.2 | 10 |
| 1900s | 4.59 | 4.26 | 4.94 | 10 |
| 1910s | 5.41 | 5.02 | 5.81 | 10 |
| 1920s | 6.48 | 5.91 | 7.1 | 10 |
| 1930s | 7.95 | 7.25 | 8.68 | 10 |
| 1940s | 9.66 | 8.85 | 10.52 | 10 |
| 1950s | 11.9 | 10.75 | 13.2 | 10 |
| 1960s | 15.57 | 13.55 | 17.82 | 10 |
| 1970s | 20.92 | 18.37 | 23.6 | 10 |
| 1980s | 28.44 | 24.33 | 32.67 | 10 |
| 1990s | 36.31 | 33.59 | 38.52 | 10 |
| 2000s | 40.65 | 38.88 | 42.64 | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.1 | 43.15 | 49.12 | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.95 | 49.92 | 55.65 | 10 |
| 2030s | 58.44 | 56.19 | 60.59 | 10 |
| 2040s | 62.98 | 61.03 | 64.88 | 10 |
| 2050s | 66.91 | 65.27 | 68.47 | 10 |
| 2060s | 70.11 | 68.79 | 71.34 | 10 |
| 2070s | 72.68 | 71.6 | 73.7 | 10 |
| 2080s | 74.87 | 73.92 | 75.78 | 10 |
| 2090s | 76.8 | 75.97 | 77.57 | 10 |
| 2100s | 77.75 | 77.75 | 77.75 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population density in South Africa?
- Population density in South Africa was 77.75 in 2100, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population density recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 77.75 in 2100.
- What is the lowest population density recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2127 in 1000.
- How does South Africa rank for population density?
- South Africa ranks 140th out of 235 countries with data for 2100.
- Is population density rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Population density. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 318 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).