South Africa—Youth Dependency Ratio (%)
Category: PeopleSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #95 of 217Updated April 2026
Latest Value
38.4%
2024
YoY Change
-0.8%
2023 → 2024
Global Rank
#95
of 217 countries
Maximum
57.8%
2000
Minimum
38.4%
2024
CAGR
-1.7%
25 years
Last
38.4%
Previous
38.7%
Highest
57.8%
Lowest
38.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's youth dependency ratio was 38.4% in 2024, ranking #95 out of 217 countries. This represents a -0.8% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 57.8% (2000) and the lowest was 38.4% (2024). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 38.4% | -0.8% |
| 2023 | 38.7% | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 39.1% | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 39.6% | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 40.4% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 41.2% | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 42.0% | -1.8% |
| 2017 | 42.8% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 42.8% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 42.7% | -0.9% |
| 2014 | 43.1% | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 43.5% | -1.0% |
| 2012 | 43.9% | -1.1% |
| 2011 | 44.4% | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 45.0% | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 45.6% | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 46.1% | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 46.8% | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 47.7% | -2.1% |
| 2005 | 48.7% | -2.5% |
| 2004 | 49.9% | -3.2% |
| 2003 | 51.6% | -3.7% |
| 2002 | 53.5% | -3.8% |
| 2001 | 55.7% | -3.8% |
| 2000 | 57.8% |
Top Countries — Youth Dependency Ratio (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central African Republic | 100.3% | 2024 |
| 2 | Niger | 91.7% | 2024 |
| 3 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 91.7% | 2024 |
| 4 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 90.5% | 2024 |
| 5 | Mali | 89.6% | 2024 |
| 6 | Chad | 88.9% | 2024 |
| 7 | Burundi | 84.7% | 2024 |
| 8 | Mozambique | 84.3% | 2024 |
| 9 | Angola | 84.0% | 2024 |
| 10 | Uganda | 80.2% | 2024 |