Replacement fertility rate in South Africa
South Africa: Replacement fertility rate was 2.26 in 2010. ▼ Falling
Latest (2010)
2.26
World rank
44th
of 199 countries
All-time high
2.8
in 1950
All-time low
2.22
in 1990
Years of data
7
1950–2010
Replacement fertility rate in South Africa, 1950–2010
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2010, replacement fertility rate in South Africa stood at 2.26.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, replacement fertility rate in South Africa peaked at 2.8 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.22, in 1990.
South Africa ranks 44th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Replacement fertility rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2.8 | — |
| 1960 | 2.61 | -6.8% |
| 1970 | 2.4 | -8.0% |
| 1980 | 2.31 | -3.7% |
| 1990 | 2.22 | -3.9% |
| 2000 | 2.41 | +8.6% |
| 2010 | 2.26 | -6.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.26 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.12, 1.1× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.26 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.37, 95% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1 |
| 1960s | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.31 | 2.31 | 2.31 | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.22 | 2.22 | 2.22 | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.41 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.26 | 2.26 | 2.26 | 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)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is replacement fertility rate in South Africa?
- Replacement fertility rate in South Africa was 2.26 in 2010, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest replacement fertility rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.8 in 1950.
- What is the lowest replacement fertility rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.22 in 1990.
- How does South Africa rank for replacement fertility rate?
- South Africa ranks 44th out of 199 countries with data for 2010.
- Is replacement fertility rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Replacement fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).