Ireland vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 175 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more ā latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 12.2 times as many people as Ireland (65.49 million vs 5.36 million). Ireland's economy is 63% larger than South Africa's ($691.57 billion vs $424.75 billion GDP).
Comparing Ireland and South Africa: Ireland leads on Apple Import Volume (57.87 million tonnes) against South Africa (48,832 tonnes); South Africa leads on People Living With HIV/AIDS (7.80) against Ireland (7,800); South Africa leads on Oil Production (192,100) against Ireland (431). Across 175 compared metrics, Ireland wins on 95 and South Africa wins on 71.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 65 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: 41 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 32.3 subscriptions per 100 inhabitantsā | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 97.19 %ā | 78.36 % | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 96.5 %ā | 75.66 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 97% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 32.3 Mbpsā | 5.35 Mbps | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 86.92 pointsā | 75.71 points | |
| Radios | 2.55 | 17ā | |
| Televisions | 1.82 | 6ā | |
| Waterways | 700 | NA |
Economy
65 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual COā Emissions Growth (abs) | -257,316ā | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 7,905.99 % | 87,566.02 %ā | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 10.75 Ā°C | 18.35 Ā°Cā | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 35.49ā | 446.7 | |
| Continental Shelf | no precise definition; | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,124.48 mmā | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, and lack of transport routes | 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 | 14.24 sq kmā | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 14.2 %ā | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 10.8 Cubic meters per yearā | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 52ā | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 4 speciesā | 33 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 2.15 %ā | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 111.64ā | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 41,336 sq. km | 963,410 sq. kmā | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 68,890 | 1.21Mā | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 1,448 km | 2,798 kmā | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 162.41 cubic meters per inhabitant | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitantā | |
| Irrigated Land | 0 | 16,700ā |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 97.46 %ā | 61.59 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | 28ā | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 77 index | 41 indexā | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 77 indexā | 41 index | |
| Independence | 6 | 31ā | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 8 | 10.94ā | |
| Prison Population Rate | 101 per 100,000ā | 260 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 77 | 41ā | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
24 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 8,000 personnel | 74,000 personnelā | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.22 %ā | 0.74 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 9,000 | 89,000ā |
People and Society
41 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 4.17ā | 0.37 | |
| Airports | 100 | 573ā | |
| Civil Air Travel | 23 | 90ā | |
| Heliports | 10 | 49ā |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | š®šŖ Ireland | šæš¦ South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 18.15B USDā | 5.96B USD |
Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Ireland or South Africa?ā¾
South Africa. South Africa has 12.2 times as many people as Ireland (65.49 million vs 5.36 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Ireland or South Africa?ā¾
Ireland. Ireland's economy is 63% larger than South Africa's ($691.57 billion vs $424.75 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Ireland or South Africa?ā¾
Ireland is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $128,998 in Ireland vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).