Population in the largest city in South Africa
South Africa: Population in the largest city was 13.69 in 2020. ▲ Rising
Latest (2020)
13.69
World rank
150th
of 179 countries
All-time high
13.69
in 2020
All-time low
6.47
in 1990
Years of data
15
1950–2020
Population in the largest city in South Africa, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in the largest city in South Africa is 13.69, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 15.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in the largest city in South Africa peaked at 13.69 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6.47, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 150th of 179 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Population in the largest city in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 9.49 | — |
| 1955 | 9.17 | -3.4% |
| 1960 | 8.68 | -5.4% |
| 1965 | 8.4 | -3.2% |
| 1970 | 8.08 | -3.8% |
| 1975 | 7.44 | -7.9% |
| 1980 | 6.66 | -10.5% |
| 1985 | 6.89 | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 6.47 | -6.0% |
| 1995 | 6.73 | +3.9% |
| 2000 | 8.05 | +19.6% |
| 2005 | 10.65 | +32.3% |
| 2010 | 11.82 | +11.0% |
| 2015 | 12.4 | +4.9% |
| 2020 | 13.69 | +10.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 13.69 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.9, 53% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 13.69 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.91, 47% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 9.33 | 9.17 | 9.49 | 2 |
| 1960s | 8.54 | 8.4 | 8.68 | 2 |
| 1970s | 7.76 | 7.44 | 8.08 | 2 |
| 1980s | 6.77 | 6.66 | 6.89 | 2 |
| 1990s | 6.6 | 6.47 | 6.73 | 2 |
| 2000s | 9.35 | 8.05 | 10.65 | 2 |
| 2010s | 12.11 | 11.82 | 12.4 | 2 |
| 2020s | 13.69 | 13.69 | 13.69 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 147 Kazakhstan 14.55 compare
- 148 Kenya 14.22 compare
- 149 Botswana 13.81 compare
- 151 Uganda 13.68 compare
- 152 Uzbekistan 12.72 compare
- 153 North Korea 12.68 compare
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)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in the largest city in South Africa?
- Population in the largest city in South Africa was 13.69 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population in the largest city recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 13.69 in 2020.
- What is the lowest population in the largest city recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.47 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for population in the largest city?
- South Africa ranks 150th out of 179 countries with data for 2020.
- Is population in the largest city rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Population in the largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 15 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).