Cuba vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 153 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 6.0 times as many people as Cuba (65.49 million vs 10.89 million). South Africa's economy is 3.3 times the size of Cuba's ($424.75 billion vs $130.64 billion GDP).
Comparing Cuba and South Africa: South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Cuba (33,000); South Africa leads on Natural Gas Production (906.10) against Cuba (1.19); South Africa leads on Annual Forest Area Change Rate (87,566 %) against Cuba (2,190 %). Across 153 compared metrics, Cuba wins on 59 and South Africa wins on 80.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 50 metrics compared
- Environment: 11 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 21 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 37 metrics compared
- Transportation: 5 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 3.08 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 70.48 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 71.28 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 71% (2023 est.) note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy il | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 3.08 Mbps | 5.35 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 26.03 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 3.9 | 17★ | |
| Televisions | 2.64 | 6★ | |
| Waterways | 240 | NA |
Economy
50 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 969,964★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 2,189.99 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 26.09 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 19.72★ | 446.7 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 843.17 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana | 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 | 15.42 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 15.6 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 6.48 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 38.12 | 51.35★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 10 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 2.29 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 113.59★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 65,020 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 103,800 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 3,735 km★ | 2,798 km | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 518.83 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant | |
| Irrigated Land | 8,700 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 30.1 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 15★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 41 index | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 41 index | 41 index | |
| Independence | 20 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 2.94 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 794 per 100,000 | 259 per 100,000★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 41 | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 16 | 18★ |
Health
21 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 49,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 2.88 % | 0.89 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 76,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
37 metricsTransportation
5 metrics| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.32 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 120 | 573★ | |
| Annual Human Space Visits (Total) | 0 | 0 | |
| Civil Air Travel | 88 | 90★ | |
| Heliports | 4 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇨🇺 Cuba | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 1.05B USD | 4.96B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Cuba or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 6.0 times as many people as Cuba (65.49 million vs 10.89 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Cuba or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 3.3 times the size of Cuba's ($424.75 billion vs $130.64 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Cuba or South Africa?▾
Cuba is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $11,991 in Cuba vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).