South Africa: Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)
In , South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) was 38.39.
That's down 0.8% from 2023, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 41.14 . South Africa ranks #95 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #45 of 48.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.POP.DPND.YG) • Data as of 2024
Trend (2005–2024)
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 48.67
- Trough
- 38.39
- 1-year change
- -0.8%
- 5-year change
- -6.8%
- -1.4% / yr
- 10-year change
- -10.9%
- -1.1% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) |
|---|---|
| 38.3886 | |
| 38.7016 | |
| 39.1002 | |
| 39.6319 | |
| 40.3627 | |
| 41.1709 | |
| 41.9734 | |
| 42.7534 | |
| 42.7907 | |
| 42.6835 |
About Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)
Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--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.YG • Category: Health & Population
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in 2024?
- In 2024, South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) was 38.39, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) rising or falling?
- South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) fell 0.8% from 2023 to 2024.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)?
- In 2024, South Africa ranked #95 out of 217 countries reporting Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population).
- How does South Africa's Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in 2024 was 41.14, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #45 of 48.
- What is Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) and how is it measured?
- Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--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.YG), CC BY 4.0.