South Africa | Urban population growth (annual %)
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Development relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment. Limitations and exceptions: There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution. Statistical concept and methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Republic of South Africa
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset
South Africa | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
3.17204248 1961
3.21985253 1962
3.27617293 1963
3.30354361 1964
3.3330645 1965
3.33320152 1966
3.32970941 1967
3.32664043 1968
3.29727937 1969
3.23372504 1970
3.04694374 1971
2.98044115 1972
2.97052364 1973
2.93350193 1974
2.88162941 1975
2.81274315 1976
2.80547834 1977
2.82148988 1978
2.78521671 1979
2.79315161 1980
2.9187761 1981
2.9180493 1982
3.0202556 1983
3.13324049 1984
3.53783502 1985
4.35210189 1986
4.56202338 1987
4.51898809 1988
4.39261712 1989
4.10600304 1990
3.54701579 1991
2.97264825 1992
2.72109467 1993
2.6294437 1994
2.53460768 1995
2.40300208 1996
2.25934493 1997
2.10827495 1998
1.96788213 1999
1.81016233 2000
1.72060982 2001
1.8297193 2002
1.86625205 2003
1.86684409 2004
1.86133324 2005
1.86818149 2006
1.90705813 2007
2.01672235 2008
2.05708649 2009
2.05015046 2010
2.10845538 2011
2.16396302 2012
2.18167969 2013
2.38657151 2014
2.87315334 2015
1.76021405 2016
1.16325005 2017
1.98949966 2018
2.04726577 2019
1.96530475 2020
1.72820735 2021
1.55774912 2022
South Africa | Urban population growth (annual %)
Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Development relevance: Explosive growth of cities globally signifies the demographic transition from rural to urban, and is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. In principle, cities offer a more favorable setting for the resolution of social and environmental problems than rural areas. Cities generate jobs and income, and deliver education, health care and other services. Cities also present opportunities for social mobilization and women's empowerment. Limitations and exceptions: There is no consistent and universally accepted standard for distinguishing urban from rural areas, in part because of the wide variety of situations across countries. Most countries use an urban classification related to the size or characteristics of settlements. Some define urban areas based on the presence of certain infrastructure and services. And other countries designate urban areas based on administrative arrangements. Because of national differences in the characteristics that distinguish urban from rural areas, the distinction between urban and rural population is not amenable to a single definition that would be applicable to all countries. Estimates of the world's urban population would change significantly if China, India, and a few other populous nations were to change their definition of urban centers. Because the estimates of city and metropolitan area are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparisons should be made with caution. Statistical concept and methodology: Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The indicator is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. To estimate urban populations, UN ratios of urban to total population were applied to the World Bank's estimates of total population. Countries differ in the way they classify population as "urban" or "rural." The population of a city or metropolitan area depends on the boundaries chosen.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Republic of South Africa
Records
63
Source
Create chart Download showed records Download Full dataset