Nigeria vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 170 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
Nigeria has 3.7 times as many people as South Africa (242.38 million vs 65.49 million). South Africa's economy is 2.2 times the size of Nigeria's ($424.75 billion vs $193.1 billion GDP).
Comparing Nigeria and South Africa: South Africa leads on Oil Production (192,100) against Nigeria (2.46); South Africa leads on Oil Exports (54,930) against Nigeria (2.10); South Africa leads on Malaria Incidence Rate (0.11 cases per 1,000) against Nigeria (294.25 cases per 1,000). Across 170 compared metrics, Nigeria wins on 63 and South Africa wins on 99.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 63 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 22 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 39 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
- Other: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 0.08 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 41.21 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 39.21 % | 75.66 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 39% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.08 Mbps | 5.35 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 46.81 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 23.5★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 6.9★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | 8,575 | NA |
Economy
63 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 6.45M | 3.23M★ | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -126,881.64 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 27.78 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 114.4★ | 446.7 | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 1,016.62 mm★ | 652.17 mm | |
| Population Distribution | largest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest, 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 | 13.9 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 13.9 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 87 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 286.2★ | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 35 species | 33 species★ |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 7.65 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 134.77★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 703,753 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 910,770 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 853 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 206.73 cubic meters per inhabitant | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 2,188 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 21.26 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 36★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 26 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 26 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | -3.73 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 33 per 100,000★ | 260 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 26★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
22 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 143,000 personnel★ | 74,000 personnel | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.91 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 223,000★ | 89,000 |
People and Society
39 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.03 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 50 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 57 | 90★ | |
| Heliports | 15 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 344.37M USD | 6.72B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 26.5 %★ | 7 % |
Frequently Asked Questions About Nigeria vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Nigeria or South Africa?▾
Nigeria. Nigeria has 3.7 times as many people as South Africa (242.38 million vs 65.49 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Nigeria or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 2.2 times the size of Nigeria's ($424.75 billion vs $193.1 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Nigeria or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $796.71 in Nigeria (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).