Cumulative growth of population in South Africa
In 2025, the cumulative growth of population since 2010 in South Africa was 23.7 %, up from 22.3 % in 2024. This gives South Africa the 4th-highest among BRICS+ countries, the 2nd-highest among G20 countries, and the 91st-highest globally (out of 236 economies with available data).
Cumulative growth of population
Total growth of population (%) since 2010
South Africa
How South Africa compares
About this indicator
Total population refers to all residents of a country or territory, regardless of legal status or citizenship. It reflects demographic dynamics driven by births, deaths, and migration.
Cumulative population growth since 2010 measures the total percentage change in population since that base year. By accounting for the compounded effect of changes over time, this indicator highlights long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations. It reflects the combined effect of natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) since 2010.
Positive values indicate population expansion, while negative values indicate decline.
Calculation method: Each value on this chart represents the total percentage change since 2010. It is calculated by taking the difference between the Total Population of the year shown and the Total Population of 2010, divided by the 2010 value.
Cumulative population growth since 2010 measures the total percentage change in population since that base year. By accounting for the compounded effect of changes over time, this indicator highlights long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations. It reflects the combined effect of natural increase (births minus deaths) and net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) since 2010.
Positive values indicate population expansion, while negative values indicate decline.
Calculation method: Each value on this chart represents the total percentage change since 2010. It is calculated by taking the difference between the Total Population of the year shown and the Total Population of 2010, divided by the 2010 value.
Sources and updates
Data sources
The data for this indicator are drawn from the United Nations (UN) World Population Prospects database.
Last update
This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.
More on South Africa
Population & Demographics
Total population
Number of people
Rank24th of 236
Median age of population
Age dividing the population into two equal halves
Rank145th of 236
Elderly population
Share of total population aged 65 and over
Rank143rd of 236
Young population
Share of total population aged under 15
Rank93rd of 236
Working age population
Share of total population aged 15 to 64
Rank60th of 236
Fertility rate
Average number of births per woman
Rank97th of 236
Migration rate
Net number of migrants (immigrants minus emigrants) per 1,000 population
Rank53rd of 236
Economic activity
Health
Public Finance
Government debt (% of GDP)
Gross debt of the general government
Rank45th of 190
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
Rank83rd of 191
Government budget balance (% of GDP)
Positive values indicate a surplus; negative values indicate a deficit
Rank163rd of 194
Education
Tertiary-educated adults
Share of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education
Rank46th of 47
Youth neither studying nor working
Share of youth aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET rate)
Rank15th of 135
Education spending per student
Primary to tertiary spending per student, in constant international dollars
Rank39th of 43