Fertility Rate: South Africa
South Africa's fertility rate is currently 2.205 births per woman as of 2024. # South Africa Fertility Rate South Africa's fertility rate stands at 2.
Current (2024)
2.205 births per woman
-0.5% y/y
Peak (1960)
6.105 births per woman
Low (2024)
2.205 births per woman
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Fertility Rate — South Africa
1960 — 2024
Fertility Rate — South Africa
Analysis# South Africa Fertility Rate
South Africa's fertility rate stands at 2.205 births per woman in 2024, marking the lowest point in the nation's recorded demographic history. This represents a dramatic 63.9% decline from the 1960 peak of 6.105 births per woman, reflecting fundamental shifts in family planning, education, and economic conditions over six decades.
The fertility rate has followed a consistent downward trajectory, particularly accelerating from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Recent data from 2015 to 2024 shows continued gradual decline, dropping from 2.359 to 2.205 births per woman. With South Africa's fertility rate now below the 2.1 replacement level, the nation exhibits demographic patterns comparable to developed economies, suggesting ongoing urbanization, female workforce participation, and improved access to contraception will likely sustain this downward trend.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.205 births per woman | -0.50% |
| 2023 | 2.216 births per woman | -0.49% |
| 2022 | 2.227 births per woman | -0.93% |
| 2021 | 2.248 births per woman | -0.40% |
| 2020 | 2.257 births per woman | -0.31% |
| 2019 | 2.264 births per woman | -0.26% |
| 2018 | 2.27 births per woman | -0.57% |
| 2017 | 2.283 births per woman | +0.97% |
| 2016 | 2.261 births per woman | -4.15% |
| 2015 | 2.359 births per woman | -2.68% |
| 2014 | 2.424 births per woman | -0.16% |
| 2013 | 2.428 births per woman | -0.78% |
| 2012 | 2.447 births per woman | +0.45% |
| 2011 | 2.436 births per woman | -0.37% |
| 2010 | 2.445 births per woman | -2.24% |
| 2009 | 2.501 births per woman | -6.64% |
| 2008 | 2.679 births per woman | +5.27% |
| 2007 | 2.545 births per woman | -0.12% |
| 2006 | 2.548 births per woman | +1.43% |
| 2005 | 2.512 births per woman | +3.12% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2.436 births per woman | +3.31% |
| 2003 | 2.358 births per woman | +1.46% |
| 2002 | 2.324 births per woman | -2.06% |
| 2001 | 2.373 births per woman | -1.66% |
| 2000 | 2.413 births per woman | -5.71% |
| 1999 | 2.559 births per woman | -2.70% |
| 1998 | 2.63 births per woman | -3.80% |
| 1997 | 2.734 births per woman | -8.59% |
| 1996 | 2.991 births per woman | -5.71% |
| 1995 | 3.172 births per woman | -2.64% |
| 1994 | 3.258 births per woman | -3.38% |
| 1993 | 3.372 births per woman | -3.08% |
| 1992 | 3.479 births per woman | -3.84% |
| 1991 | 3.618 births per woman | -2.85% |
| 1990 | 3.724 births per woman | -6.50% |
| 1989 | 3.983 births per woman | -4.71% |
| 1988 | 4.18 births per woman | -3.95% |
| 1987 | 4.352 births per woman | -1.29% |
| 1986 | 4.409 births per woman | -1.91% |
| 1985 | 4.495 births per woman | -1.55% |
| 1984 | 4.566 births per woman | -1.30% |
| 1983 | 4.626 births per woman | -1.49% |
| 1982 | 4.696 births per woman | -0.34% |
| 1981 | 4.712 births per woman | -1.42% |
| 1980 | 4.78 births per woman | -0.79% |
| 1979 | 4.818 births per woman | -0.72% |
| 1978 | 4.853 births per woman | -1.80% |
| 1977 | 4.942 births per woman | -2.54% |
| 1976 | 5.071 births per woman | -2.31% |
| 1975 | 5.191 births per woman | -2.02% |
| 1974 | 5.298 births per woman | -2.12% |
| 1973 | 5.413 births per woman | -1.40% |
| 1972 | 5.49 births per woman | -1.42% |
| 1971 | 5.569 births per woman | -1.15% |
| 1970 | 5.634 births per woman | -1.49% |
| 1969 | 5.719 births per woman | -1.09% |
| 1968 | 5.782 births per woman | -1.20% |
| 1967 | 5.852 births per woman | -0.93% |
| 1966 | 5.907 births per woman | +0.25% |
| 1965 | 5.892 births per woman | -1.06% |
| 1964 | 5.955 births per woman | -0.95% |
| 1963 | 6.012 births per woman | -0.56% |
| 1962 | 6.046 births per woman | -0.56% |
| 1961 | 6.08 births per woman | -0.41% |
| 1960 | 6.105 births per woman | — |
Related Data
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For South Africa
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Demographics
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