Greenland vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 107 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 1,177 times as many people as Greenland (65.49 million vs 55,650). South Africa's economy is 120 times the size of Greenland's ($424.75 billion vs $3.53 billion GDP).
Comparing Greenland and South Africa: South Africa leads on Population Change (673,270 persons) against Greenland (-118.00 persons); Greenland leads on Televisions (30,000) against South Africa (6); Greenland leads on Electricity Installed Capacity (187,000) against South Africa (50.02). Across 107 compared metrics, Greenland wins on 43 and South Africa wins on 48.
- Communications: 8 metrics compared
- Economy: 41 metrics compared
- Environment: 10 metrics compared
- Geography: 5 metrics compared
- Government: 5 metrics compared
- Health: 7 metrics compared
- People and Society: 28 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
Communications
8 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 31.98 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 69.48 %★ | 56.17 % | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 69.48 %★ | 56.17 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 70% (2017 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 31.98 Mbps★ | 3.12 Mbps | |
| Radios | 30,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 30,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | none | NA |
Economy
41 metricsEnvironment
10 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 10,008★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 0 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | -16.62 °C | 18.35 °C★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 527,000 | 446.7★ | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 482.24 mm | 652.17 mm★ | |
| Population Distribution | settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited | 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 | 41.94 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 41.9 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 9 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
5 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 0 % | 1.94 %★ | |
| Agricultural land | 2,431.1 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 410,450 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 44,087 km★ | 2,798 km | |
| Irrigated Land | NA | 16,700 |
Government
5 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 95.85 %★ | 61.59 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | 5 | 9★ | |
| Independence | none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark) | 31 | |
| Prison Population Rate | 233 per 100,000★ | 259 per 100,000 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
7 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population) | 4.3 | 7.2★ | |
| Female Life Expectancy Leaders | 70.27 years★ | 66.31 years | |
| Highest Male Life Expectancy | 70.27 years★ | 66.31 years | |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate | NA | 18.3 % | |
| Hospital Bed Density | 14 people/sq km★ | 2.3 people/sq km | |
| People Living With HIV/AIDS | NA | 7.8 | |
| Underweight Children Under 5 | NA | 5.5 |
People and Society
28 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇱 Greenland | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airports | 25 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 2 | 90★ | |
| Heliports | 54★ | 49 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenland vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Greenland or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 1,177 times as many people as Greenland (65.49 million vs 55,650). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Greenland or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 120 times the size of Greenland's ($424.75 billion vs $3.53 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Greenland or South Africa?▾
Greenland is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $63,477 in Greenland vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).