Republic of Moldova vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 177 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 22.1 times as many people as Republic of Moldova (65.49 million vs 2.96 million). South Africa's economy is 19.8 times the size of Republic of Moldova's ($424.75 billion vs $21.48 billion GDP).
Comparing Republic of Moldova and South Africa: Republic of Moldova leads on Major Urban Areas Population (488,000 people) against South Africa (10.32 people); Republic of Moldova leads on Electricity Installed Capacity (515,000) against South Africa (50.02); Republic of Moldova leads on Share of population in poverty ($3 a day) (0.00) against South Africa (31.21). Across 177 compared metrics, Republic of Moldova wins on 75 and South Africa wins on 91.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 67 metrics compared
- Environment: 11 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 25 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 | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 29.63 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 77.37 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 80.21 %★ | 75.66 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 80% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 29.63 Mbps★ | 5.35 Mbps | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 73.36 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 3.22 | 17★ | |
| Televisions | 1.26 | 6★ | |
| Waterways | 424 | NA |
Economy
67 metricsEnvironment
11 metrics| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | -2,460★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -580 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 11.6 °C | 18.35 °C★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 7.09★ | 446.7 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 458.85 mm | 652.17 mm★ | |
| Population Distribution | pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, with the largest in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti | 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 | 11.53 sq km★ | 9.88 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 11.5 %★ | 9.6 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 1.3 Cubic meters per year | 4.8 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 12.27 | 51.35★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 6 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 2.95 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 93.36★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 27,586.8 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 32,930 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 0 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 388.62 cubic meters per inhabitant | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 2,150 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 55.42 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 32★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 43 index | 41 index★ | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 43 index★ | 41 index | |
| Independence | 27 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 2.98 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 255 per 100,000★ | 260 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 43 | 41★ | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
25 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 5,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.56 %★ | 0.74 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 6,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
41 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.46★ | 0.37 | |
| Airports | 10 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | NA major transport aircraft | 90 | |
| Heliports | 1 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇲🇩 Republic of Moldova | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 933.16M USD | 6.72B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Republic of Moldova vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Republic of Moldova or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 22.1 times as many people as Republic of Moldova (65.49 million vs 2.96 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Republic of Moldova or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 19.8 times the size of Republic of Moldova's ($424.75 billion vs $21.48 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Republic of Moldova or South Africa?▾
Republic of Moldova is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $7,262 in Republic of Moldova vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).