Somalia vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 148 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 3.2 times as many people as Somalia (65.49 million vs 20.3 million). South Africa's economy is 31.4 times the size of Somalia's ($424.75 billion vs $13.51 billion GDP).
Comparing Somalia and South Africa: Somalia leads on Radios (470,000) against South Africa (17); Somalia leads on Televisions (135,000) against South Africa (6); Somalia leads on Energy Consumption per Capita (USD) (649,000 USD per capita) against South Africa (86.20 USD per capita). Across 148 compared metrics, Somalia wins on 42 and South Africa wins on 92.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 51 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 8 metrics compared
- Health: 20 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 35 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 0.72 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 3.41 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 27.94 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 27.6 % | 75.46 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 28% (2022 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.72 Mbps | 3.41 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 40.49 points | 75.71 points★ | |
| Radios | 470,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 135,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | none | NA |
Economy
51 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 22,766★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | -75,950 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 27.11 °C★ | 18.35 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 838,000 | 446.7★ | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | 200 | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 152.43 mm | 652.17 mm★ | |
| Population Distribution | distribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, | 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 | 0 sq km | 9.88 sq km★ | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 0 % | 9.6 %★ | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 3.3 Cubic meters per year | 4.8 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 14.7 | 51.35★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 18 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 0.36 % | 1.94 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 102.49★ | 85.66 | |
| Agricultural land | 441,308.6 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 627,340 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 3,025 km★ | 2,798 km | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 0 cubic meters per inhabitant | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 2,000 | 16,700★ |
Government
8 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | -0.05 % | 61.59 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 18★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 9 index★ | 41 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 9 index | 41 index★ | |
| Independence | 1 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | -0.34 | 10.94★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 9★ | 41 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
20 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 14,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.54 % | 0.74 %★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 14,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
35 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.02 | 0.37★ | |
| Airports | 40 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 1 | 90★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Somalia vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Somalia or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 3.2 times as many people as Somalia (65.49 million vs 20.3 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Somalia or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 31.4 times the size of Somalia's ($424.75 billion vs $13.51 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Somalia or South Africa?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $665.46 in Somalia (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).