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Palau vs South Africa: Compare Statistics

Side-by-side comparison of 66 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.

Palau
plw
Leads on 42 of 66 metrics
South Africa
zaf
Leads on 23 of 66 metrics

Summary

South Africa has 3,715 times as many people as Palau (65.49 million vs 17,630). South Africa's economy is 1,734 times the size of Palau's ($424.75 billion vs $244.89 million GDP).

Comparing Palau and South Africa: South Africa leads on Agricultural land (963,410 sq. km) against Palau (43 sq. km); South Africa leads on Population Change (673,270 persons) against Palau (-41.50 persons); South Africa leads on Female population of reproductive age (18.20 million persons) against Palau (3,736 persons). Across 66 compared metrics, Palau wins on 42 and South Africa wins on 23.

  • Communications: 4 metrics compared
  • Economy: 10 metrics compared
  • Environment: 5 metrics compared
  • Geography: 4 metrics compared
  • Government: 2 metrics compared
  • Health: 15 metrics compared
  • Military and Security: 1 metric compared
  • People and Society: 24 metrics compared
  • Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared

Communications

4 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Fixed Broadband Penetration7.33 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★3.41 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
Internet Penetration Rate (%)83.93 %★78.36 %
Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population)26.97 %★8.43 %
Mobile Internet Speed7.33 Mbps★3.41 Mbps

Economy

10 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Country in Current US Dollars244.89M $424.75B $★
AI Investment (% of GDP)35.62 %★15.39 %
Highest GDP per Capita Countries19,698.59 USD★13,592.05 USD
Inflation Rate-0.42 %★3.21 %
Tax Burden (% of GDP)18.08 %★23.26 %
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)18.08 % of GDP23.26 % of GDP★
Top Exporting Countries72.73M USD126.84B USD★
Top FDI Inflows (% of GDP)21.49 %★0.58 %
Tourism Contribution to GDP9.76 %★2.11 %
Tourism Revenue (% of GDP)9.76 %★2.11 %

Environment

5 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs)9,890★3.23M
Annual Forest Area Change Rate90 %87,566.02 %★
Protected Land Area for Adaptation27.56 sq km★9.88 sq km
Protected Land Area Percentage31.4 %★9.6 %
Total Threatened Mammal Species5 species★33 species

Geography

4 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization1.69 %1.94 %★
Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha)416.21★85.66
Agricultural land43 sq. km963,410 sq. km★
Airports per 1,000 Sq Km4601.21M★

Government

2 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Rule of Law Index by Country85.39 %★61.59 %
LGBT Rights Index Score1.0710.94★

Health

15 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Access to Safe Drinking Water90.78 %★68.01 %
Average BMI for Adults29.5 kg/m²★25 kg/m²
Change in Measles Immunization Rate96 %★76 %
Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population)19.3★7.2
Female Life Expectancy Leaders69.38 years★66.31 years
Global Stillbirth Rate Trends0.84 per 1,000 births★1.87 per 1,000 births
Health Care Spending per Capita1,890.68 USD★1,541.18 USD
Health Coverage Index Score75 score★74 score
Highest Male Life Expectancy69.38 years★66.31 years
Hospital Beds per Capita4.34 beds per 1,000★2.25 beds per 1,000
Low Birth Weight Prevalence13.53 %★16.64 %
Nurses and Midwives Density6.24 per 1,000 people6.39 per 1,000 people★
Out-of-Pocket Health Spending12.1 %6.69 %★
Psychiatrist Density Per 100,000 People11 per 100,000 people★2 per 100,000 people
Total Number of Doctors2.47★0.79

Military and Security

1 metric
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Active Military Personnel0 personnel74,000 personnel★

People and Society

24 metrics
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Currently married (Percent)43.58 %★33.25 %
Human Capital Index0.65★0.42
Life expectancy at birth72.3 years★71.98 years
Median age of population38.89 years★29 years
Population Change-41.5 persons673,269.7 persons★
Population density38.34 per sq. km★53.74 per sq. km
Total population17,629.5 persons65.49M persons★
Crude Birth Rate10.69 per 1,000 people18.48 per 1,000 people★
Female population of reproductive age3,735.85 persons18.20M persons★
Female Tertiary Enrollment Rate (%)49.7 %★29.84 %
Fixed Broadband Penetration Rate7.33 %★3.41 %
Global Average Sex Ratio at Birth106.45 male/female★103.52 male/female
Learning-adjusted years of school10.02 years★4.88 years
Length of paid parental leave for mother0 days0 days
Mean Male Height (cm)167.69★166.68
Old-Age Dependency Ratio15.42 %9.65 %★
Percentage of population by degree of urbanization39.51 %79.63 %★
Population living in slums0.36 %23.64 %★
Total deaths211.2 persons★540,582.7 persons
Total demand for family planning (Percent)39.78 %62.02 %★
Total fertility rate1.84 per woman2.17 per woman★
Total net-migration-13.2 persons39,599.6 persons★
Under-five mortality rate20.68 per live births★28.89 per live births
Urban Population Annual Growth Rate-0.09 %1.34 %★

Travel and Tourism

1 metric
Metric🇵🇼 Palau🇿🇦 South AfricaShare
Tourism Receipts per Capita14.99M USD4.96B USD★

Frequently Asked Questions About Palau vs South Africa

Which has a larger population, Palau or South Africa?▾

South Africa. South Africa has 3,715 times as many people as Palau (65.49 million vs 17,630). Data for 2026.

Which has a bigger economy, Palau or South Africa?▾

South Africa. South Africa's economy is 1,734 times the size of Palau's ($424.75 billion vs $244.89 million GDP). Data for 2026.

Which is richer per person, Palau or South Africa?▾

Palau is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $13,891 in Palau vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).

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