Cambodia vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 168 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 3.6 times as many people as Cambodia (65.49 million vs 18.06 million). South Africa's economy is 8.2 times the size of Cambodia's ($424.75 billion vs $51.5 billion GDP).
Comparing Cambodia and South Africa: Cambodia leads on Televisions (94,000) against South Africa (6); South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Cambodia (75,000); South Africa leads on Dam capacity per capita (464.70 cubic meters per inhabitant) against Cambodia (0.05 cubic meters per inhabitant). Across 168 compared metrics, Cambodia wins on 60 and South Africa wins on 96.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 61 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 23 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 40 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 4.15 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 68.48 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 60.72 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 61% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 4.15 Mbps | 5.35 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 28.18 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 1.34 | 17★ | |
| Televisions | 94,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | 3,700 | NA |
Economy
61 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 471,188★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -308,734 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 27.26 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 18.78★ | 446.7 | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,898.03 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers | 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 | 39.83 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 39.8 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 17.6 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 476.1★ | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 44 species | 33 species★ |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 6.19 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 69.3 | 85.66★ | |
| Agricultural land | 64,750.84 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 176,520 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 443 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 0.05 cubic meters per inhabitant | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 3,540 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 27.83 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 24★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 21 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 21 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 9 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 1.07 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 320 per 100,000 | 260 per 100,000★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 21★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
23 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 124,000 personnel★ | 74,000 personnel | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.45 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 191,000★ | 89,000 |
People and Society
40 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.37 | 0.37 | |
| Airports | 12 | 573★ | |
| Heliports | 1 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇰🇭 Cambodia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 3.94B USD | 6.72B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cambodia vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Cambodia or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 3.6 times as many people as Cambodia (65.49 million vs 18.06 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Cambodia or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 8.2 times the size of Cambodia's ($424.75 billion vs $51.5 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Cambodia or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $2,852 in Cambodia (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).