Canada vs South Africa: Population in largest city
Canada
6.49 million
in 2025
South Africa
6.44 million
in 2025
Canada rank
34th
South Africa rank
35th
Population in largest city over time
- Canada
- South Africa
How they compare
Canada currently reports 6.49 million against 6.44 million in South Africa, a difference of 46,710.
Across all 66 years both countries report, Canada has been ahead every year.
Canada ranks 34th and South Africa ranks 35th of 153 countries.
Canada has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Canada | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.34 million | 1.28 million | 1.06 million | Canada |
| 1970s | 2.80 million | 1.49 million | 1.31 million | Canada |
| 1980s | 3.33 million | 1.87 million | 1.46 million | Canada |
| 1990s | 4.16 million | 2.47 million | 1.69 million | Canada |
| 2000s | 5.00 million | 3.58 million | 1.42 million | Canada |
| 2010s | 5.83 million | 4.92 million | 907,839 | Canada |
| 2020s | 6.34 million | 6.12 million | 219,538 | Canada |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population in largest city, Canada or South Africa?
- Canada, at 6.49 million against 6.44 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population in largest city between Canada and South Africa?
- 46,710, with Canada ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Canada and South Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Canada and South Africa rank globally for population in largest city?
- Canada ranks 34th and South Africa ranks 35th of 153 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as Population in largest city. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.