Urban and rural population in South Africa
South Africa: Urban and rural population was 41.32 million in 2025. β Volatile
Urban and rural population in South Africa, 1950β2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population in South Africa is 41.32 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in South Africa peaked at 41.32 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 5.49 million, in 1950.
South Africa ranks 24th of 229 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 6.44 million | 5.49 million | 7.44 million | 10 |
| 1960s | 8.93 million | 7.68 million | 10.31 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 12.20 million | 10.64 million | 13.83 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 17.08 million | 14.29 million | 20.36 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 23.54 million | 21.18 million | 25.91 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 29.32 million | 26.53 million | 32.21 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 35.30 million | 32.78 million | 37.79 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.89 million | 38.42 million | 41.32 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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)
- 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)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.8825 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility 2.21 (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum 71,171 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in South Africa?
- Urban and rural population in South Africa was 41.32 million in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 41.32 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.49 million in 1950.
- How does South Africa rank for urban and rural population?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 229 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV Β· JSON β 76 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).