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
South Africa | Urban population growth (annual %)
1960
1961 3.17204248
1962 3.21985253
1963 3.27617293
1964 3.30354361
1965 3.3330645
1966 3.33320152
1967 3.32970941
1968 3.32664043
1969 3.29727937
1970 3.23372504
1971 3.04694374
1972 2.98044115
1973 2.97052364
1974 2.93350193
1975 2.88162941
1976 2.81274315
1977 2.80547834
1978 2.82148988
1979 2.78521671
1980 2.79315161
1981 2.9187761
1982 2.9180493
1983 3.0202556
1984 3.13324049
1985 3.53783502
1986 4.35210189
1987 4.56202338
1988 4.51898809
1989 4.39261712
1990 4.10600304
1991 3.54701579
1992 2.97264825
1993 2.72109467
1994 2.6294437
1995 2.53460768
1996 2.40300208
1997 2.25934493
1998 2.10827495
1999 1.96788213
2000 1.81016233
2001 1.72060982
2002 1.8297193
2003 1.86625205
2004 1.86684409
2005 1.86133324
2006 1.86818149
2007 1.90705813
2008 2.01672235
2009 2.05708649
2010 2.05015046
2011 2.10845538
2012 2.16396302
2013 2.18167969
2014 2.38657151
2015 2.87315334
2016 1.76021405
2017 1.16325005
2018 1.98949966
2019 2.04726577
2020 1.96530475
2021 1.72820735
2022 1.55774912

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