Equatorial Guinea vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 151 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 33.0 times as many people as Equatorial Guinea (65.49 million vs 1.98 million). South Africa's economy is 29.2 times the size of Equatorial Guinea's ($424.75 billion vs $14.53 billion GDP).
Comparing Equatorial Guinea and South Africa: Equatorial Guinea leads on Major Urban Areas Population (297,000 people) against South Africa (10.32 people); Equatorial Guinea leads on Labor Force Participation Rate (715,000) against South Africa (27.77); Equatorial Guinea leads on Radios (180,000) against South Africa (17). Across 151 compared metrics, Equatorial Guinea wins on 56 and South Africa wins on 86.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 55 metrics compared
- Environment: 11 metrics compared
- Geography: 6 metrics compared
- Government: 8 metrics compared
- Health: 20 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 35 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 0.1 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 63.3 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 60.37 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 60% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.1 Mbps | 3.12 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 48.68 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 180,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 4,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | none | NA |
Economy
55 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 96,989★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -8,359.96 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 24.35 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 5.47★ | 446.7 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 2,681.77 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, 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 | 18.91 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 19 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 10 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 26 | 51.35★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 24 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
6 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 1.07 % | 1.94 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 214.5★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 1,052.18 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 28,050 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 296 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Irrigated Land | NA | 16,700 |
Government
8 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 7.85 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 8 | 9★ | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 13 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 13 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 12 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 2.07 | 10.94★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 13★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
20 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 1,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.9 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 1,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
35 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.16 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 7 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 1 | 90★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 14.00M USD | 3.26B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Equatorial Guinea vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Equatorial Guinea or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 33.0 times as many people as Equatorial Guinea (65.49 million vs 1.98 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Equatorial Guinea or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 29.2 times the size of Equatorial Guinea's ($424.75 billion vs $14.53 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Equatorial Guinea or South Africa?▾
Equatorial Guinea is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $7,320 in Equatorial Guinea vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).