Share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa
South Africa: Share of population living in cities towns and villages was 48.81 in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa is 48.81, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of up 15.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa peaked at 48.81 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 13.39, in 1950.
That places South Africa 61st out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 13.39 | — |
| 1955 | 13.91 | +3.9% |
| 1960 | 14.64 | +5.3% |
| 1965 | 16.57 | +13.2% |
| 1970 | 17.73 | +7.0% |
| 1975 | 19.58 | +10.4% |
| 1980 | 21.52 | +9.9% |
| 1985 | 23.83 | +10.7% |
| 1990 | 26.41 | +10.9% |
| 1995 | 30.14 | +14.1% |
| 2000 | 34.5 | +14.5% |
| 2005 | 39.24 | +13.8% |
| 2010 | 42.45 | +8.2% |
| 2015 | 44.93 | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 48.81 | +8.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 48.81 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 42.27, 1.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 48.81 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 37.31, 1.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 13.65 | 13.39 | 13.91 | 2 |
| 1960s | 15.61 | 14.64 | 16.57 | 2 |
| 1970s | 18.66 | 17.73 | 19.58 | 2 |
| 1980s | 22.67 | 21.52 | 23.83 | 2 |
| 1990s | 28.28 | 26.41 | 30.14 | 2 |
| 2000s | 36.87 | 34.5 | 39.24 | 2 |
| 2010s | 43.69 | 42.45 | 44.93 | 2 |
| 2020s | 48.81 | 48.81 | 48.81 | 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 share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa?
- Share of population living in cities towns and villages in South Africa was 48.81 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities towns and villages recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 48.81 in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities towns and villages recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.39 in 1950.
- How does South Africa rank for share of population living in cities towns and villages?
- South Africa ranks 61st out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities towns and villages rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.0%. 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 Share of population living in cities towns and villages. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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