South Africa—Urban Population (%)
Category: PeopleSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #111 of 217Updated April 2026
Latest Value
63.7%
2024
YoY Change
+0.2%
2023 → 2024
Global Rank
#111
of 217 countries
Maximum
63.7%
2024
Minimum
56.3%
2000
CAGR
+0.5%
25 years
Last
63.7%
Previous
63.6%
Highest
63.7%
Lowest
56.3%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's urban population (%) was 63.7% in 2024, ranking #111 out of 217 countries. This represents a +0.2% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 63.7% (2024) and the lowest was 56.3% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63.7% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 63.6% | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 63.5% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 63.5% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 63.4% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 63.4% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 63.4% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 63.3% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 63.3% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 63.2% | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 63.1% | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 63.1% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 63.0% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 62.9% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 62.6% | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 62.3% | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 61.8% | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 61.2% | +1.1% |
| 2006 | 60.5% | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 59.8% | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 59.1% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 58.4% | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 57.7% | +1.2% |
| 2001 | 57.0% | +1.3% |
| 2000 | 56.3% |
Top Countries — Urban Population (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 2 | Bermuda | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 3 | Macao SAR, China | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 4 | Nauru | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 5 | Kuwait | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 6 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 7 | Cayman Islands | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 8 | Singapore | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 9 | St. Martin (French part) | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 10 | Bahrain | 100.0% | 2024 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.
Methodology
Data compiled by World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, note: United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects, National definitions, publisher: UN Population Division.