Population density in South Africa
South Africa had 52.8 people per km² in 2024. The value for 2024 is the highest in the series, which starts in 1961.
South Africa, 2024
52.8
Change from 2023
+1.3%
World, 2023
62.1 people per km²
Median of G20 countries, 2024
111.1 people per km²
Position in 2024
149th of 214
Population density in South Africa over time
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South Africa
World
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The chart loads when you scroll to it. The table below shows the same data.
The chart shows a calculation from the published values. The table below keeps the published values.
People per square kilometre of land. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Gaps mean no published value; points are not joined across missing years.
| Period | South Africa | World |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52.8 people per km² | – |
| 2023 | 52.1 people per km² | 62.1 people per km² |
| 2022 | 51.4 people per km² | 61.6 people per km² |
| 2021 | 50.7 people per km² | 61.0 people per km² |
| 2020 | 49.9 people per km² | 60.4 people per km² |
| 2019 | 49.1 people per km² | 59.8 people per km² |
| 2018 | 48.3 people per km² | 59.2 people per km² |
| 2017 | 47.5 people per km² | 58.6 people per km² |
| 2016 | 47.2 people per km² | 57.9 people per km² |
| 2015 | 46.8 people per km² | 57.3 people per km² |
| 2014 | 45.8 people per km² | 56.6 people per km² |
| 2013 | 45.1 people per km² | 55.9 people per km² |
| 2012 | 44.3 people per km² | 55.2 people per km² |
| 2011 | 43.7 people per km² | 55.6 people per km² |
| 2010 | 43.1 people per km² | 54.9 people per km² |
| 2009 | 42.6 people per km² | 54.3 people per km² |
| 2008 | 42.1 people per km² | 53.6 people per km² |
| 2007 | 41.7 people per km² | 52.9 people per km² |
| 2006 | 41.2 people per km² | 52.3 people per km² |
| 2005 | 40.8 people per km² | 51.6 people per km² |
| 2004 | 40.4 people per km² | 51.0 people per km² |
| 2003 | 40.0 people per km² | 50.4 people per km² |
| 2002 | 39.6 people per km² | 49.7 people per km² |
| 2001 | 39.2 people per km² | 49.1 people per km² |
| 2000 | 38.9 people per km² | 48.4 people per km² |
A dash means no value was published for that period.
In short
- That is a change of +1.3% from 52.1 people per km² in 2023.
- Since 2014, when it was 45.8 people per km², the figure has changed by +15.1%.
- Among the 214 countries with data for 2024, South Africa has the 149th highest value.
More for South Africa
All statistics for South Africa
Population
64,747,319 people
2025 · World Bank
Urban population share
63.8%
2025 · World Bank
Population estimates and projections
63,212,384 people
2023 · UN Population Division
Median age estimates and projections
28.2 years
2023 · UN Population Division
Fertility rate estimates and projections
2.22 births per woman
2023 · UN Population Division
Population growth estimates and projections
1.32%
2023 · UN Population Division