World StatisticsHome › Countries › South Africa
South Africa: Population density (people per km² of land), 1990–2023
Value in 202352.1
Change since 2013+15.6%45.1 (2013)
World rank150 / 2152023
Rank in region30 / 48Sub-Saharan Africa
World62.1World Bank aggregate
Trend and comparison
Neighbours in the 2023 ranking
57.0
56.7
55.8
53.6
52.1
50.6
49.7
48.6
47.2
Values and rank by year
| Year | Population density (people per km² of land) | vs prior year | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 52.1 | +1.3% | 150 / 215 |
| 2022 | 51.4 | +1.4% | 150 / 215 |
| 2021 | 50.7 | +1.6% | 151 / 216 |
| 2020 | 49.9 | +1.6% | 151 / 216 |
| 2019 | 49.1 | +1.7% | 151 / 216 |
| 2018 | 48.3 | +1.7% | 151 / 216 |
| 2017 | 47.5 | +0.7% | 151 / 216 |
| 2016 | 47.2 | +0.9% | 151 / 216 |
| 2015 | 46.8 | +2.0% | 151 / 216 |
| 2014 | 45.8 | +1.7% | 154 / 216 |
| 2013 | 45.1 | +1.7% | 154 / 216 |
| 2012 | 44.3 | +1.5% | 153 / 216 |
| 2011 | 43.7 | +1.2% | 152 / 214 |
| 2010 | 43.1 | +1.2% | 147 / 211 |
| 2009 | 42.6 | +1.2% | 146 / 211 |
| 2008 | 42.1 | +1.2% | 146 / 211 |
| 2007 | 41.7 | +1.1% | 147 / 211 |
| 2006 | 41.2 | +1.0% | 147 / 211 |
| 2005 | 40.8 | +1.0% | 145 / 209 |
| 2004 | 40.4 | +1.0% | 145 / 209 |
| 2003 | 40.0 | +1.0% | 145 / 209 |
| 2002 | 39.6 | +1.0% | 144 / 209 |
| 2001 | 39.2 | +0.9% | 144 / 209 |
| 2000 | 38.9 | +0.9% | 143 / 209 |
| 1999 | 38.5 | +1.1% | 141 / 207 |
| 1998 | 38.1 | +1.2% | 142 / 207 |
| 1997 | 37.6 | +1.2% | 142 / 207 |
| 1996 | 37.2 | +1.3% | 141 / 207 |
| 1995 | 36.7 | +1.2% | 140 / 207 |
| 1994 | 36.3 | +1.6% | 140 / 207 |
| 1993 | 35.7 | +2.0% | 139 / 207 |
| 1992 | 35.0 | +1.8% | 137 / 203 |
| 1991 | 34.4 | +2.3% | 121 / 184 |
| 1990 | 33.6 | – | 119 / 180 |
- Population
- GDP (current US$, billions)
- GDP per capita (current US$)
- GDP growth (annual %)
- Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)
- Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate)
- Life expectancy at birth (years)
- Fertility rate (births per woman)
- Population aged 65 and above (% of total)
- Urban population (% of total)
- Internet users (% of population)
- Surface area (km²)
- Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Compare South Africa with Japan →
For each indicator and economy the most recent non-empty year is used, so years can differ between countries. Ranks compare only economies that have data. Aggregates (regions, income groups) are excluded from rankings; the world value is shown for reference. Values are as published by the World Bank and are revised several times a year.