Burundi vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 161 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 4.4 times as many people as Burundi (65.49 million vs 14.73 million). South Africa's economy is 128 times the size of Burundi's ($424.75 billion vs $3.32 billion GDP).
Comparing Burundi and South Africa: Burundi leads on Radios (440,000) against South Africa (17); Burundi leads on Energy Consumption per Capita (USD) (946,000 USD per capita) against South Africa (86.20 USD per capita); South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Burundi (83,000). Across 161 compared metrics, Burundi wins on 51 and South Africa wins on 100.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 57 metrics compared
- Environment: 11 metrics compared
- Geography: 6 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 21 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 40 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 0.02 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 3.41 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 8.6 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 11.08 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 11% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.02 Mbps | 3.41 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 45.44 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 440,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 25,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | Lake Tanganyika | NA |
Economy
57 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 15,948★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 0 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 21.24 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 838,000 | 446.7★ | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,732.27 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil, as shown in this population distribution m | 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 | 7.6 sq km | 9.88 sq km★ | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 7.6 % | 9.6 %★ | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 7.47 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 12.54 | 51.35★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 16 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
6 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 55.3 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 119.38★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 22,331.14 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 25,680 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 0 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 230 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 15 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 5 | 9★ | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 17 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 17 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | -1.38 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 90 per 100,000★ | 260 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 17★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
21 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 30,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 3.24 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 31,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
40 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.01 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 6 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | no major transport aircraft | 90 | |
| Heliports | 1 | 1 |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇧🇮 Burundi | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 2.84M USD | 5.96B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Burundi vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Burundi or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 4.4 times as many people as Burundi (65.49 million vs 14.73 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Burundi or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 128 times the size of Burundi's ($424.75 billion vs $3.32 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Burundi or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $225.66 in Burundi (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).