South Africa Percentage of population by degree of urbanization 2026: 79.63 %
South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization in 2026 is 79.63 % (estimate), up 0.2% from 2025. It ranks #87 of 237 countries.
Explore the percentage of population by degree of urbanization across countries, highlighting the shift towards urban living and its impact on economic growth and development. Understanding these trends is crucial for addressing urban planning and resource allocation.
Estimated value for 2026 (interpolated, no direct source).
Where South Africa ranks (2026)
#87 of 237- #85
Seychelles80.4% - #86
Brazil79.8% - #87
South Africa79.63% - #88
Spain79.42% - #89
Belgium79.32%
Percentage of population by degree of urbanization over timeSome values are estimated based on historical trends
| Year | Value | Change | % Change | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 79.63 % | +0.17 % | +0.21% | |
| 2025 | 79.46 % | +0.16 % | +0.20% | |
| 2024 | 79.3 % | +0.16 % | +0.21% | |
| 2023 | 79.14 % | +0.17 % | +0.21% | |
| 2022 | 78.97 % | +0.17 % | +0.22% | |
| 2021 | 78.8 % | +0.18 % | +0.23% | |
| 2020 | 78.62 % | +0.28 % | +0.36% | |
| 2019 | 78.34 % | +0.29 % | +0.37% | |
| 2018 | 78.05 % | +0.3 % | +0.38% | |
| 2017 | 77.75 % | +0.3 % | +0.39% | |
| 2016 | 77.45 % | +0.31 % | +0.41% | |
| 2015 | 77.13 % | — | — |
Cite this page
Geo Factbook. (n.d.). South Africa: Percentage of population by degree of urbanization. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/countries/south-africa/percentage-of-population-by-degree-of-urbanization
The figures on this page come from United Nations Population Division. For academic work, cite the original source as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa Percentage of population by degree of urbanization
What is South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization in 2026?▾
South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization is 79.63 % in 2026 (estimate), according to United Nations Population Division.
Is South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization increasing or decreasing?▾
South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization rose by 0.2% from 2025 (79.46 %) to 2026 (79.63 %). Over the past decade (2016–2026) it rose by 2.8%.
How does South Africa rank for percentage of population by degree of urbanization?▾
In 2026, South Africa has the 87th highest percentage of population by degree of urbanization out of 237 countries with data.
What was South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization in 2015?▾
In 2015, South Africa's percentage of population by degree of urbanization was 77.13 %. By 2026 it rose by 3.2%.
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