Share of urban population living in slums in South Africa
South Africa: Share of urban population living in slums was 10.5% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of urban population living in slums in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Human Settlements Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of urban population living in slums in South Africa is 10.5%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and down 16.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban population living in slums in South Africa peaked at 12.6% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 10.5%, in 2024.
South Africa ranks 107th of 214 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Share of urban population living in slums in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 27.6% | — |
| 2002 | 27.2% | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 26.9% | -1.4% |
| 2006 | 26.5% | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 26.1% | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 25.7% | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 25.3% | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 24.9% | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 12.6% | -49.5% |
| 2018 | 12.0% | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 11.2% | -6.7% |
| 2022 | 10.8% | -3.6% |
| 2024 | 10.5% | -2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26.9% | 26.1% | 27.6% | 5 |
| 2010s | 20.1% | 12.0% | 25.7% | 5 |
| 2020s | 10.8% | 10.5% | 11.2% | 3 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban population living in slums in South Africa?
- Share of urban population living in slums in South Africa was 10.5% in 2024, according to United Nations Human Settlements Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of urban population living in slums recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 12.6% in 2016.
- What is the lowest share of urban population living in slums recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.5% in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for share of urban population living in slums?
- South Africa ranks 107th out of 214 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of urban population living in slums rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Human Settlements Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of urban population living in slums. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of urban population living in slums (%).