Cameroon vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 166 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 2.1 times as many people as Cameroon (65.49 million vs 30.63 million). South Africa's economy is 7.3 times the size of Cameroon's ($424.75 billion vs $57.99 billion GDP).
Comparing Cameroon and South Africa: Cameroon leads on Televisions (450,000) against South Africa (6); South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Cameroon (500,000); South Africa leads on Malaria Incidence Rate (0.11 cases per 1,000) against Cameroon (260.46 cases per 1,000). Across 166 compared metrics, Cameroon wins on 59 and South Africa wins on 99.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 59 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 21 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 41 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 2.13 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 46.26 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 41.91 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 42% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 2.13 Mbps | 3.12 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 42.75 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 2.27 | 17★ | |
| Televisions | 450,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | 2,090 | NA |
Economy
59 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | -63,281★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -116,955.86 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 25.23 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 6.71★ | 446.7 | |
| Continental Shelf | not specific; | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,611.04 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map | 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 | 11 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 11 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 100 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 283.15★ | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 48 species | 33 species★ |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 1.51 % | 1.94 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 265.05★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 99,598.52 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 472,710 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 402 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 499.89 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant | |
| Irrigated Land | 290 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 20.71 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 10★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 26 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 26 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | -1.41 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 119 per 100,000★ | 396 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 26★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 20★ | 18 |
Health
21 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 25,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.06 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 34,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
41 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.03 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 37 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 5 | 90★ | |
| Heliports | 1 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 516.93M USD | 5.96B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cameroon vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Cameroon or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 2.1 times as many people as Cameroon (65.49 million vs 30.63 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Cameroon or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 7.3 times the size of Cameroon's ($424.75 billion vs $57.99 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Cameroon or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $1,893 in Cameroon (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).