Singapore vs South Africa: Population in largest city
Singapore
6.16 million
in 2025
South Africa
6.44 million
in 2025
Singapore rank
36th
South Africa rank
35th
Population in largest city over time
- Singapore
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 6.44 million against 6.16 million in Singapore, a difference of 287,310.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 66 shared years of data; in 1960 it was Singapore ahead.
Singapore ranks 36th and South Africa ranks 35th of 153 countries.
Across the 7 decades both report, Singapore averaged higher in 6 and South Africa in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Singapore | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.85 million | 1.28 million | 571,009 | Singapore |
| 1970s | 2.23 million | 1.49 million | 739,409 | Singapore |
| 1980s | 2.67 million | 1.87 million | 797,029 | Singapore |
| 1990s | 3.42 million | 2.47 million | 949,181 | Singapore |
| 2000s | 4.43 million | 3.58 million | 858,127 | Singapore |
| 2010s | 5.49 million | 4.92 million | 562,060 | Singapore |
| 2020s | 6.05 million | 6.12 million | 69,660 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population in largest city, Singapore or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 6.44 million against 6.16 million in Singapore as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population in largest city between Singapore and South Africa?
- 287,310, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Singapore and South Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Singapore and South Africa rank globally for population in largest city?
- Singapore ranks 36th 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.