๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Population Growth Rate of South Africa

The current population growth rate of South Africa is 1.089%. A 20.33% increase from 2023, when the population growth rate only was 0.905%. In the future, South Africa's population growth rate is projected to decrease to -0.19%, by the year 2100. A total decrease of the population growth rate of South Africa by -117.45% from today's standard.

Historic Population Growth Rate of South Africa (1950-2024)

South Africa has seen a decrease in population growth rate since the 1950's.

Year Population Growth Rate Overall Population +/-
1950 2.087% 272,258
1951 2.178% 290,170
1952 2.243% 305,542
1953 2.262% 315,122
1954 2.316% 330,137
1955 2.373% 346,369
1956 2.43% 363,243
1957 2.475% 379,164
1958 2.435% 382,314
1959 2.54% 408,842
1960 2.658% 439,130
1961 2.937% 498,917
1962 3.019% 528,421
1963 3.047% 549,742
1964 3.075% 572,022
1965 3.107% 596,172
1966 3.077% 608,982
1967 3.101% 632,830
1968 3.073% 646,897
1969 3.043% 660,451
1970 2.985% 667,733
1971 2.859% 658,536
1972 2.851% 675,596
1973 2.84% 692,416
1974 2.778% 696,590
1975 2.736% 705,307
1976 2.641% 699,363
1977 2.72% 739,713
1978 2.675% 747,502
1979 2.647% 759,635
1980 2.625% 773,436
1981 2.529% 764,589
1982 2.628% 815,123
1983 2.732% 870,394
1984 2.856% 935,667
1985 3.063% 1,033,848
1986 3.486% 1,215,891
1987 3.508% 1,267,108
1988 3.429% 1,281,932
1989 3.279% 1,267,730
1990 2.884% 1,150,042
1991 2.241% 916,735
1992 1.875% 782,858
1993 1.755% 746,513
1994 1.707% 738,569
1995 1.586% 697,636
1996 1.463% 653,403
1997 1.311% 593,487
1998 1.179% 540,749
1999 1.045% 484,281
2000 0.882% 412,887
2001 0.889% 420,010
2002 0.931% 443,591
2003 0.918% 441,477
2004 0.953% 462,568
2005 0.938% 459,585
2006 0.989% 489,632
2007 1.038% 519,044
2008 1.227% 620,390
2009 1.152% 589,544
2010 1.233% 638,741
2011 1.293% 678,067
2012 1.365% 725,348
2013 1.358% 731,818
2014 1.791% 980,052
2015 2.351% 1,313,854
2016 -0.394% -222,315
2017 1.166% 660,187
2018 1.285% 736,664
2019 1.305% 758,176
2020 1.142% 671,567
2021 0.857% 509,090
2022 0.825% 494,171
2023 0.905% 547,047
2024 1.089% 664,406

Future Population Growth Rate of South Africa (2024-2100)

South Africa's population growth rate is projected to decrease in the future. According to the United Nation, it will drop from today's growth rate of 0.905% all the way down to -0.19% by the year 2100. The yearly downward trend is clearly visible from the charts and data below.

Year Population Growth Rate Overall Population +/-
2024 1.089% 664,406
2025 1.04% 641,314
2026 0.999% 622,601
2027 0.962% 605,153
2028 0.923% 586,020
2029 0.893% 572,440
2030 0.864% 558,652
2031 0.837% 545,843
2032 0.817% 536,954
2033 0.793% 525,575
2034 0.77% 514,381
2035 0.751% 505,549
2036 0.734% 498,053
2037 0.712% 486,571
2038 0.689% 473,928
2039 0.668% 462,728
2040 0.648% 451,500
2041 0.63% 441,929
2042 0.605% 427,031
2043 0.584% 415,042
2044 0.56% 399,965
2045 0.536% 385,094
2046 0.508% 366,815
2047 0.485% 351,659
2048 0.458% 333,994
2049 0.436% 319,287
2050 0.406% 298,500
2051 0.38% 280,470
2052 0.352% 260,456
2053 0.331% 246,104
2054 0.306% 228,155
2055 0.28% 209,725
2056 0.259% 194,414
2057 0.241% 180,963
2058 0.22% 165,658
2059 0.2% 150,712
2060 0.179% 135,076
2061 0.164% 124,609
2062 0.151% 114,856
2063 0.137% 104,504
2064 0.122% 92,587
2065 0.107% 81,507
2066 0.092% 69,867
2067 0.087% 66,536
2068 0.072% 55,137
2069 0.057% 43,550
2070 0.048% 36,533
2071 0.041% 31,635
2072 0.029% 22,009
2073 0.013% 9,588
2074 0.001% 915
2075 -0.012% -9,375
2076 -0.02% -15,625
2077 -0.029% -22,391
2078 -0.038% -28,828
2079 -0.052% -39,893
2080 -0.06% -46,148
2081 -0.068% -51,589
2082 -0.078% -59,411
2083 -0.08% -60,980
2084 -0.088% -67,241
2085 -0.096% -73,106
2086 -0.1% -75,981
2087 -0.103% -78,467
2088 -0.11% -83,825
2089 -0.117% -88,657
2090 -0.123% -92,993
2091 -0.13% -98,148
2092 -0.141% -106,178
2093 -0.144% -108,819
2094 -0.151% -114,073
2095 -0.157% -118,106
2096 -0.161% -121,106
2097 -0.17% -127,394
2098 -0.176% -131,560
2099 -0.18% -134,168
2100 -0.19% -141,835

Why is the chart for future population growth rate mostly flat?

Predicting and projecting future population growth rate is extremely hard. Especially, the further you move into the future. Thus, the scientist and data collectors of the United Nations tend to add a flat number when reasonable projections can't be made.

Understanding Population Growth Rate: How Births, Deaths, and Migration Impact Population Size of South Africa

Population growth rate is defined as the annual average rate of change of population size, for a given country, territory, or geographic area, during a specified period. It is considered an international standard for measuring population change. The United Nations uses population growth rate as one of the key indicators for measuring population trends, and for forecasting future population size. Part of that data is used on this page to visualize and explore historic and future population growth rate over time.

What is Population Growth Rate?

Population growth rate is a measure of how quickly a population is increasing or decreasing in size over time. It is expressed as a percentage of change over a time period. Most commonly, its typically messured on a yearly basis, allowing you to evaluate percentage on year over year basis. However, population growth rate can be applied and calculated on any timeframe.

  • Population growth rate is used to indicate population increase or decrease in size over time.
  • It is measured as a percentage of change, from previous to current population size.
  • It is often expressed as a yearly rate, but can be applied to any timeframe.
  • A positive population growth rate indicates that a population is increasing.
  • A negative population growth rate indicates that a population is decreasing.
  • Birth rate, death rate, and migration affect the population growth rate.
  • A high birth rate and low death rate will result in a high population growth rate.
  • A low birth rate and high death rate will result in a low population growth rate.
  • Net migration also affect the population growth rate of South Africa.
  • Population growth rate is an important metric for demographic, environmental and economic forecasting.

How is Population Growth Rate calculated?

The population growth rate indicates the increase or decrease of a population in percent (%). The formula to calculate population growth rate can be used on any timeframe. In this case it indicates the population growth reate year over year, where a negative population growth rate is presented with red coloring and positive with green. The population growth rate of South Africa is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

Population Growth Rate Formula

Population Growth Rate = New Population - Original Population / Original Population * 100

What Causes Population Growth Rate to Increase or Decrease?

Just like any other country or region, South Africa's population growth rate is influenced by a variety of factors that causes it to increase or decrease.

Birth Rate

The number of births per 1,000 individuals in a population over a specific period of time affects population growth. Higher birth rates contribute to population growth, while lower birth rates slow down growth.

Death Rate

The number of deaths per 1,000 individuals in a population over a specific period of time also influences population growth. Higher death rates can reduce population growth, while lower death rates contribute to growth.

Total Fertility Rate

The average number of children born to women of childbearing age is known as the total fertility rate. Higher fertility rates can lead to population growth, while lower fertility rates can result in slower growth or even population decline.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live affects population growth. Higher life expectancy can result in population growth, as people live longer and contribute to the population for a greater duration.

Immigration and Emigration

Migration patterns, including immigration (inflow of individuals from other countries) and emigration (outflow of individuals to other countries), can significantly impact population growth rates. Higher immigration rates can contribute to population growth, while high emigration rates can slow down growth.

Government Policies

Government policies related to family planning, healthcare, immigration, and social welfare can also influence population growth rates. For example, policies promoting contraception and family planning can lead to lower birth rates and slower growth.

Socioeconomic Factors

Factors such as economic development, education, and urbanization can affect population growth rates. Higher levels of education and economic opportunities often correlate with lower birth rates and slower population growth.

Data Information

Data found on this page is based on the medium fertility variant of the United Nations Revision of World Population Prospects 2022.

Data Sources

The United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Population Division)

UN Revision of World Population Prospects 2022

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