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Marshall Islands vs South Africa: Compare Statistics

Side-by-side comparison of 67 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.

Marshall Islands
mhl
Leads on 31 of 67 metrics
South Africa
zaf
Leads on 34 of 67 metrics

Summary

South Africa has 1,870 times as many people as Marshall Islands (65.49 million vs 35,016). South Africa's economy is 1,403 times the size of Marshall Islands's ($424.75 billion vs $302.78 million GDP).

Comparing Marshall Islands and South Africa: South Africa leads on Agricultural land (963,410 sq. km) against Marshall Islands (70 sq. km); South Africa leads on Airports per 1,000 Sq Km (1.21 million) against Marshall Islands (180); South Africa leads on Tourism Receipts per Capita (2.19 billion USD) against Marshall Islands (583,400 USD). Across 67 compared metrics, Marshall Islands wins on 31 and South Africa wins on 34.

  • Communications: 4 metrics compared
  • Economy: 11 metrics compared
  • Environment: 5 metrics compared
  • Geography: 4 metrics compared
  • Government: 3 metrics compared
  • Health: 13 metrics compared
  • Military and Security: 1 metric compared
  • People and Society: 25 metrics compared
  • Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared

Communications

4 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Fixed Broadband Penetration2.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★
Internet Penetration Rate (%)65.92 %78.36 %★
Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population)65.72 %75.66 %★
Mobile Internet Speed2.35 Mbps3.12 Mbps★

Economy

11 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Country in Current US Dollars302.78M $424.75B $★
AI Investment (% of GDP)20.74 %★14.07 %
Gender Pay Gap Percentage-13.07 %9.52 %★
Gender Wage Gap-13.07 %★9.52 %
Highest GDP per Capita Countries7,660.38 USD13,592.05 USD★
Tax Burden (% of GDP)17.16 %★23.26 %
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)17.16 % of GDP23.26 % of GDP★
Top Exporting Countries122.03M USD127.53B USD★
Top FDI Inflows (% of GDP)4.69 %★0.58 %
Tourism Contribution to GDP1.8 %2.26 %★
Tourism Revenue (% of GDP)1.8 %2.26 %★

Environment

5 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs)6,758★3.23M
Annual Forest Area Change Rate0 %87,566.02 %★
Protected Land Area for Adaptation17.61 sq km★9.88 sq km
Protected Land Area Percentage16.1 %★9.6 %
Total Threatened Mammal Species1 species★33 species

Geography

4 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization1.46 %1.94 %★
Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha)132.13★85.66
Agricultural land70 sq. km963,410 sq. km★
Airports per 1,000 Sq Km1801.21M★

Government

3 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Rule of Law Index by Country80.9 %★61.59 %
LGBT Rights Index Score2.0710.94★
Prison Population Rate66 per 100,000★288 per 100,000

Health

13 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Average BMI for Adults28.8 kg/m²★25 kg/m²
Change in Measles Immunization Rate88 %★76 %
Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population)25.7★7.2
Female Life Expectancy Leaders67.08 years★66.31 years
Global Stillbirth Rate Trends1 per 1,000 births★1.87 per 1,000 births
Health Care Spending per Capita976.36 USD1,541.18 USD★
Health Coverage Index Score66 score74 score★
Highest Male Life Expectancy67.08 years★66.31 years
Hospital Beds per Capita2.8 beds per 1,000★2.25 beds per 1,000
Nurses and Midwives Density4.31 per 1,000 people★1.2 per 1,000 people
Out-of-Pocket Health Spending1.05 %★6.69 %
Psychiatrist Density Per 100,000 People2 per 100,000 people2 per 100,000 people
Total Number of Doctors0.470.72★

Military and Security

1 metric
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Active Military Personnel0 personnel74,000 personnel★

People and Society

25 metrics
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Currently married (Percent)58.82 %★33.25 %
Human Capital Index0.48★0.42
Life expectancy at birth70.25 years71.98 years★
Median age of population20.14 years29 years★
Population Change-1,234.2 persons673,269.7 persons★
Population density194.5 per sq. km53.74 per sq. km★
Total population35,016 persons65.49M persons★
Crude Birth Rate20.09 per 1,000 people★18.48 per 1,000 people
Female population of reproductive age8,099.45 persons18.20M persons★
Female Tertiary Enrollment Rate (%)47.21 %★29.68 %
Fixed Broadband Penetration Rate2.35 %3.12 %★
Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth106.68 male/female★103.52 male/female
Learning-adjusted years of school7.35 years★4.88 years
Length of paid parental leave for mother0 days0 days
Mean Male Height (cm)162.81166.68★
Old-Age Dependency Ratio7.22 %★9.65 %
Percentage of population by degree of urbanization49.69 %79.63 %★
Population living in slums3.02 %23.64 %★
Primary School Pupil-Teacher Ratio16.94★35.28
Total deaths250.3 persons★540,582.7 persons
Total demand for family planning (Percent)48.29 %62.02 %★
Total fertility rate2.79 per woman★2.17 per woman
Total net-migration-1,618 persons39,599.6 persons★
Under-five mortality rate25.87 per live births★28.89 per live births
Urban Population Annual Growth Rate-2.96 %1.34 %★

Travel and Tourism

1 metric
Metric🇲🇭 Marshall Islands🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Tourism Receipts per Capita583,400 USD2.19B USD★

Frequently Asked Questions About Marshall Islands vs South Africa

Which has a larger population, Marshall Islands or South Africa?▾

South Africa. South Africa has 1,870 times as many people as Marshall Islands (65.49 million vs 35,016). Data for 2026.

Which has a bigger economy, Marshall Islands or South Africa?▾

South Africa. South Africa's economy is 1,403 times the size of Marshall Islands's ($424.75 billion vs $302.78 million GDP). Data for 2026.

Which is richer per person, Marshall Islands or South Africa?▾

Marshall Islands is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $8,647 in Marshall Islands vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).

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