South Africa—Population Growth (%)
South Africa's population growth rate was 1.1% in 2025, ranking #93 out of 217 countries. This represents a -8.0% change from 2024. Over the past 65 years, the highest recorded value was 3.5% (1983) and the lowest was 0.7% (2017). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.1% | -8.0% |
| 2024 | 1.2% | -5.9% |
| 2023 | 1.3% | -6.1% |
| 2022 | 1.4% | -8.2% |
| 2021 | 1.5% | -5.0% |
| 2020 | 1.6% | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 1.6% | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 1.7% | +157.3% |
| 2017 | 0.7% | -30.5% |
| 2016 | 0.9% | -53.2% |
| 2015 | 2.0% | +21.0% |
| 2014 | 1.7% | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 1.7% | +12.1% |
| 2012 | 1.5% | +19.3% |
| 2011 | 1.2% | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 1.2% | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 1.2% | +3.5% |
| 2008 | 1.2% | +9.3% |
| 2007 | 1.1% | +3.3% |
| 2006 | 1.0% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 1.0% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 1.0% | +1.1% |
| 2003 | 1.0% | +5.2% |
| 2002 | 0.9% | +10.2% |
| 2001 | 0.9% | -6.0% |
| 2000 | 0.9% | -16.1% |
| 1999 | 1.1% | -10.1% |
| 1998 | 1.2% | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 1.2% | -7.6% |
| 1996 | 1.3% | +6.8% |
| 1995 | 1.2% | -25.1% |
| 1994 | 1.6% | -18.7% |
| 1993 | 2.0% | +10.9% |
| 1992 | 1.8% | -21.4% |
| 1991 | 2.3% | -17.9% |
| 1990 | 2.8% | -5.4% |
| 1989 | 2.9% | -3.5% |
| 1988 | 3.0% | -2.3% |
| 1987 | 3.1% | -2.5% |
| 1986 | 3.2% | -4.1% |
| 1985 | 3.3% | -3.7% |
| 1984 | 3.5% | -0.9% |
| 1983 | 3.5% | +1.0% |
| 1982 | 3.5% | +1.6% |
| 1981 | 3.4% | +11.9% |
| 1980 | 3.0% | +12.4% |
| 1979 | 2.7% | -0.9% |
| 1978 | 2.7% | +1.0% |
| 1977 | 2.7% | -0.0% |
| 1976 | 2.7% | -2.3% |
| 1975 | 2.8% | -1.8% |
| 1974 | 2.8% | -1.4% |
| 1973 | 2.9% | -0.3% |
| 1972 | 2.9% | -2.1% |
| 1971 | 2.9% | -3.4% |
| 1970 | 3.0% | -1.8% |
| 1969 | 3.1% | -0.9% |
| 1968 | 3.1% | -0.1% |
| 1967 | 3.1% | +0.7% |
| 1966 | 3.1% | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 3.1% | +0.7% |
| 1964 | 3.1% | +0.8% |
| 1963 | 3.0% | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 3.0% | +6.0% |
| 1961 | 2.8% |
Top Countries — Population Growth (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 4.7% | 2025 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 4.6% | 2025 |
| 3 | Oman | 4.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Qatar | 3.9% | 2025 |
| 5 | Syrian Arab Republic | 3.8% | 2025 |
| 6 | Chad | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 7 | Central African Republic | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 8 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Niger | 3.2% | 2025 |
| 10 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 3.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.
Methodology
World Bank WDI. Original contributors: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division; Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), note: Derived from total population; Demographic Statistics, Eurostat (ESTAT), note: Derived from total population; Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Statistical Division
Unit
annual %