Afghanistan vs South Africa: Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access
Afghanistan
84.6%
in 2024
South Africa
86.3%
in 2024
Afghanistan rank
157th
South Africa rank
155th
Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access over time
- Afghanistan
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 86.3% against 84.6% in Afghanistan, a difference of 1.7%.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 22 shared years of data; in 2003 it was South Africa ahead.
Afghanistan ranks 157th and South Africa ranks 155th of 212 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Afghanistan | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19.2% | 73.4% | 54.2% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 71.5% | 80.4% | 8.9% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 88.4% | 92.5% | 4.1% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access, Afghanistan or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 86.3% against 84.6% in Afghanistan as of 2024.
- What is the difference in share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access between Afghanistan and South Africa?
- 1.7%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Afghanistan and South Africa?
- 22 years are reported by both, from 2003 to 2024.
- How do Afghanistan and South Africa rank globally for share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access?
- Afghanistan ranks 157th and South Africa ranks 155th of 212 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Having access to electricity is defined in international statistics as having an electricity source that can provide very basic lighting, and charge a phone or power a radio for 4 hours per day.