Iraq vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 168 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more ā latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 36% more people than Iraq (65.49 million vs 48 million). South Africa's economy is 22% larger than Iraq's ($424.75 billion vs $347.97 billion GDP).
Comparing Iraq and South Africa: South Africa leads on Oil Production (192,100) against Iraq (2.41); South Africa leads on Oil Exports (54,930) against Iraq (1.91); South Africa leads on High-Tech Export Percentage (45.27 %) against Iraq (0.04 %). Across 168 compared metrics, Iraq wins on 73 and South Africa wins on 82.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 59 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 24 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 40 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 17.63 subscriptions per 100 inhabitantsā | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 81.47 %ā | 78.36 % | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 81.73 %ā | 75.66 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 82% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 17.63 Mbpsā | 5.35 Mbps | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 30.69 points | 75.71 pointsā | |
| Radios | 4.85 | 17ā | |
| Televisions | 1.75 | 6ā | |
| Waterways | 1,015 | NA |
Economy
59 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual COā Emissions Growth (abs) | 5.73M | 3.23Mā | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -6,604 % | 87,566.02 %ā | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 23.9 Ā°Cā | 18.35 Ā°C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 190.82ā | 446.7 | |
| Continental Shelf | not specific; | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 169.54 mm | 652.17 mmā | |
| Population Distribution | population is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly popul | 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 | 1.5 sq km | 9.88 sq kmā | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 1.5 % | 9.6 %ā | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 3.28 Cubic meters per year | 4.8 Cubic meters per yearā | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 89.86ā | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 13 speciesā | 33 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 2.81 %ā | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 51.11 | 85.66ā | |
| Agricultural land | 95,544.2 sq. km | 963,410 sq. kmā | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 434,130 | 1.21Mā | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 58 km | 2,798 kmā | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 3,118.61 cubic meters per inhabitantā | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant | |
| Irrigated Land | 35,250ā | 16,700 |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 4.22 % | 61.59 %ā | |
| Administrative Divisions | 19ā | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 26 indexā | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 26 index | 41 indexā | |
| Independence | 3 | 31ā | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 0.07 | 10.94ā | |
| Prison Population Rate | 136 per 100,000ā | 310 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 26ā | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
24 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 193,000 personnelā | 74,000 personnel | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 2.45 % | 0.74 %ā | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 459,000ā | 89,000 |
People and Society
40 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.13 | 0.37ā | |
| Airports | 73 | 573ā | |
| Civil Air Travel | 34 | 90ā | |
| Heliports | 10 | 49ā |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | š®š¶ Iraq | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 4.57B USD | 5.96B USDā |
Frequently Asked Questions About Iraq vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Iraq or South Africa?ā¾
South Africa. South Africa has 36% more people than Iraq (65.49 million vs 48 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Iraq or South Africa?ā¾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 22% larger than Iraq's ($424.75 billion vs $347.97 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Iraq or South Africa?ā¾
Iraq is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $7,249 in Iraq vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).