World population growth in South Africa
South Africa: World population growth was 0.2% in 2100. ◆ Volatile
World population growth in South Africa, 1700–2100
Source: HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for world population growth in South Africa is 0.2%, measured in 2100.
The figure is up 3.1% on the previous year and down 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, world population growth in South Africa peaked at 3.5% in 1983 and was at its lowest, -0.4%, in 2016.
That places South Africa 47th out of 238 countries with data for 2100, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1700s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1 |
| 1800s | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1 |
| 1900s | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.7% | 2 |
| 1910s | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 2 |
| 1920s | 1.9% | 1.8% | 2.1% | 2 |
| 1930s | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2 |
| 1940s | 1.9% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 2 |
| 1950s | 2.3% | 2.0% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.0% | 2.7% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.8% | 2.7% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.3% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.6% | 1.0% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.4% | -0.4% | 2.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.2% | 1.0% | 1.6% | 10 |
| 2030s | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.9% | 10 |
| 2040s | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 2050s | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 2060s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% | 10 |
| 2070s | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 2080s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 2090s | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 2100s | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 44 Eritrea 0.3% compare
- 45 Yemen, Rep. 0.3% compare
- 46 Sao Tome and Principe 0.2% compare
- 48 Rwanda 0.2% compare
- 49 Tuvalu 0.2% compare
- 50 Kazakhstan 0.2% compare
- 50 Solomon Islands 0.2% compare
More population data for South Africa
- 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)
- Birth rate by women's age group 51.56 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is world population growth in South Africa?
- World population growth in South Africa was 0.2% in 2100, according to HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest world population growth recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 1983.
- What is the lowest world population growth recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -0.4% in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for world population growth?
- South Africa ranks 47th out of 238 countries with data for 2100.
- Is world population growth rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); Gapminder (2022); UN WPP (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of World population growth. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average exponential rate of growth of the population over a given period. It is calculated as ln(P2/P1) where P1 and P2 are the populations on subsequent years. Available from 1700 to 2100, based on data and estimates from different sources.