Aruba vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 109 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 605 times as many people as Aruba (65.49 million vs 108,230). South Africa's economy is 82.1 times the size of Aruba's ($424.75 billion vs $5.17 billion GDP).
Comparing Aruba and South Africa: South Africa leads on Population Change (673,270 persons) against Aruba (-2.10 persons); South Africa leads on Agricultural land (963,410 sq. km) against Aruba (20 sq. km); South Africa leads on Airports per 1,000 Sq Km (1.21 million) against Aruba (180). Across 109 compared metrics, Aruba wins on 47 and South Africa wins on 44.
- Communications: 8 metrics compared
- Economy: 46 metrics compared
- Environment: 7 metrics compared
- Geography: 5 metrics compared
- Government: 5 metrics compared
- Health: 6 metrics compared
- People and Society: 28 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
8 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 17.49 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 97.17 %★ | 56.17 % | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 97.17 %★ | 56.17 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 97% (2017 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 17.49 Mbps★ | 3.12 Mbps | |
| Radios | 50,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 20,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | none | NA |
Economy
46 metricsEnvironment
7 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 34,060★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 0 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 1.16★ | 446.7 | |
| Population Distribution | most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlements tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island | the population is concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densely populated than the west, as shown in this population distribution map | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 25.7 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 26.9 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 2 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
5 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 41.9 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Agricultural land | 20 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 180 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 68.5 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Irrigated Land | NA | 16,700 |
Government
5 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 88.47 %★ | 61.59 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: Aruba is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Curacao, and Sint Maarten | 9 | |
| Independence | none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) | 31 | |
| Prison Population Rate | 165 per 100,000★ | 288 per 100,000 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
6 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population) | 4.6 | 7.2★ | |
| Female Life Expectancy Leaders | 76.5 years★ | 66.31 years | |
| Highest Male Life Expectancy | 76.5 years★ | 66.31 years | |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate | NA | 18.3 % | |
| People Living With HIV/AIDS | NA | 7.8 | |
| Underweight Children Under 5 | NA | 5.5 |
People and Society
28 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 10.69★ | 0.37 | |
| Airports | 1 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | Air Aruba has a fleet of 3 intermediate-range Boeing aircraft | 90 |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇦🇼 Aruba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 2.63B USD | 5.96B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Aruba vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Aruba or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 605 times as many people as Aruba (65.49 million vs 108,230). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Aruba or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 82.1 times the size of Aruba's ($424.75 billion vs $5.17 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Aruba or South Africa?▾
Aruba is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $47,790 in Aruba vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).