Voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa
South Africa: Voter turnout of voting-age population was 39.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa, 1994–2024
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa stood at 39.6%. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 26.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa peaked at 85.5% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 39.6%, in 2024.
That places South Africa 135th out of 161 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 85.5% | — |
| 1999 | 63.9% | -25.3% |
| 2004 | 56.8% | -11.1% |
| 2009 | 56.6% | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 53.8% | -4.9% |
| 2019 | 47.3% | -12.1% |
| 2024 | 39.6% | -16.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 74.7% | 63.9% | 85.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 56.7% | 56.6% | 56.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 50.5% | 47.3% | 53.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 39.6% | 39.6% | 39.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 132 Angola 40.5% compare
- 133 Ireland 40.5% compare
- 134 Comoros 40.2% compare
- 136 Central African Republic 39.5% compare
- 137 Iran, Islamic Republic of 38.8% compare
- 138 Kyrgyzstan 38.8% compare
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)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 77.75 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa?
- Voter turnout of voting-age population in South Africa was 39.6% in 2024, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest voter turnout of voting-age population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 85.5% in 1994.
- What is the lowest voter turnout of voting-age population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.6% in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for voter turnout of voting-age population?
- South Africa ranks 135th out of 161 countries with data for 2024.
- Is voter turnout of voting-age population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Voter turnout of voting-age population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Denotes the voter turnout as a share of the voting age population in the national election according to official results.