Population in the largest city in South Africa
South Africa: Population in the largest city was 13.69 in 2020. ▲ Rising
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 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
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 growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Fertility and wanted fertility 2.21 (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum 71,171 (2024)
- Fertility vs unmet contraception 2.21 (2024)
- Fertility vs contraception 2.21 (2024)
- Natural population growth 0.9536 (2023)
- Fertility rate with projections 2.22 (2023)
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 groups 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).