South Africa: Rural population (% of total population)
In , South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) was 36.31.
That's down 0.3% from 2023, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 37.13 . South Africa ranks #107 globally out of 217 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #40 of 48.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS) • Data as of 2024
Trend (2005–2024)
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 40.18
- Trough
- 36.31
- 1-year change
- -0.3%
- 5-year change
- -0.8%
- -0.2% / yr
- 10-year change
- -1.5%
- -0.2% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Rural population (% of total population) |
|---|---|
| 36.3082 | |
| 36.4176 | |
| 36.5233 | |
| 36.5496 | |
| 36.5627 | |
| 36.5873 | |
| 36.6228 | |
| 36.6689 | |
| 36.7249 | |
| 36.7904 |
About Rural population (% of total population)
Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.
Indicator code: SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS • Category: Health & Population
Frequently asked questions
- What was South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) in 2024?
- In 2024, South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) was 36.31, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) rising or falling?
- South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) fell 0.3% from 2023 to 2024.
- How does South Africa rank globally on Rural population (% of total population)?
- In 2024, South Africa ranked #107 out of 217 countries reporting Rural population (% of total population).
- How does South Africa's Rural population (% of total population) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Rural population (% of total population) in 2024 was 37.13, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #40 of 48.
- What is Rural population (% of total population) and how is it measured?
- Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS), CC BY 4.0.