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Sub-Saharan Africa · Country statistics

South Africa

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At a glance

Latest published figures · reporting years differ
Population64.75M2025 · peopleGross domestic product$427.18B2025 · current US$GDP per capita$6.6K2025 · current US$ / personLife expectancy at birth66.32024 · yearsInternet use78.4%2024 · % of populationForest area14%2023 · % of land area
Basic drinking water
90.2%

% of population·2024

Published observation

Over time

Full published history
South Africa2024 · 90.2%
023.1246.2469.3692.481960199320252000: 86%2001: 86.5%2002: 87%2003: 87.5%2004: 88%2005: 88.5%2006: 89%2007: 89.4%2008: 89.9%2009: 90.3%2010: 90.8%2011: 91.2%2012: 91.7%2013: 92.1%2014: 92.5%2015: 92.3%2016: 92.1%2017: 91.8%2018: 91.6%2019: 91.4%2020: 91.2%2021: 90.9%2022: 90.7%2023: 90.4%2024: 90.2%

The percentage of people using at least basic water services. This indicator encompasses both people using basic water services as well as those using safely managed water services. Basic drinking water services is defined as drinking water from an improved source, provided collection time is not more than 30 minutes for a round trip. Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.

Country context

South Africa in perspective

Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Capital
Pretoria
Country code
ZAF

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