South Africa: Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)
In , South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) was 9.92.
That's up 2.7% from 2023, the highest value on record.
The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 16.38 . South Africa ranks #130 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #4 of 48.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.DPND.OL) • Data as of 2024
Trend (2005–2024)
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 9.92
- Trough
- 7.97
- 1-year change
- +2.7%
- 5-year change
- +11.2%
- +2.1% / yr
- 10-year change
- +23.2%
- +2.1% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) |
|---|---|
| 9.9228 | |
| 9.6663 | |
| 9.4502 | |
| 9.2844 | |
| 9.1335 | |
| 8.9234 | |
| 8.7040 | |
| 8.5134 | |
| 8.2683 | |
| 8.0963 |
About Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)
Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.
Indicator code: SP.POP.DPND.OL • Category: Health & Population
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in 2024?
- In 2024, South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) was 9.92, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) rising or falling?
- South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) rose 2.7% from 2023 to 2024.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)?
- In 2024, South Africa ranked #130 out of 217 countries reporting Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population).
- How does South Africa's Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in 2024 was 16.38, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #4 of 48.
- What is Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) and how is it measured?
- Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.DPND.OL), CC BY 4.0.