South Africa vs United Arab Emirates: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 171 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 5.6 times as many people as United Arab Emirates (65.49 million vs 11.66 million). United Arab Emirates's economy is 58% larger than South Africa's ($669.39 billion vs $424.75 billion GDP).
Comparing South Africa and United Arab Emirates: South Africa leads on Oil Production (192,100) against United Arab Emirates (2.81); United Arab Emirates leads on Televisions (310,000) against South Africa (6); United Arab Emirates leads on Radios (820,000) against South Africa (17). Across 171 compared metrics, South Africa wins on 68 and United Arab Emirates wins on 90.
- Communications: 9 metrics compared
- Economy: 62 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 7 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 24 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 3 metrics compared
- People and Society: 39 metrics compared
- Transportation: 5 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
9 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | 40.84 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 78.36 % | 100 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 75.66 % | 100 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 100% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 5.35 Mbps | 40.84 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 75.71 points★ | 26.91 points | |
| Radios | 17 | 820,000★ | |
| Televisions | 6 | 310,000★ | |
| Waterways | NA | none |
Economy
62 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 3.23M★ | 11.56M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 87,566.02 %★ | 336 % | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 18.35 °C | 28.85 °C★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 446.7 | 271.7★ | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | defined by bilateral boundaries or equidistant line | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 652.17 mm★ | 18.71 mm | |
| Population Distribution | 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 | population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah -- are home to nearly 85% of the population | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 9.88 sq km | 19.14 sq km★ | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 9.6 % | 19.2 %★ | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 4.8 Cubic meters per year★ | 0.12 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 51.35 | 150★ | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 33 species | 8 species★ |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 1.94 % | 4.91 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 85.66★ | 74.43 | |
| Agricultural land | 963,410 sq. km★ | 4,014.84 sq. km | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 1.21M★ | 71,020 | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 2,798 km★ | 1,318 km | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | 5.49 cubic meters per inhabitant | |
| Irrigated Land | 16,700★ | 940 |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 61.59 % | 79.62 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 9★ | 7 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 41 index★ | 68 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 41 index | 68 index★ | |
| Independence | 31★ | 2 | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 10.94★ | -2.53 | |
| Prison Population Rate | 288 per 100,000 | 104 per 100,000★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 41★ | 68 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | limited note: rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that accounts for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens |
Health
24 metricsMilitary and Security
3 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 74,000 personnel | 83,000 personnel★ | |
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 1.02 %★ | 5.64 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 89,000★ | 63,000 |
People and Society
39 metricsTransportation
5 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.37 | 3★ | |
| Airports | 573★ | 42 | |
| Annual Human Space Visits (Total) | 0 | 0 | |
| Civil Air Travel | 90★ | 10 | |
| Heliports | 49 | 204★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 2.19B USD | 34.44B USD★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa vs United Arab Emirates
Which has a larger population, South Africa or United Arab Emirates?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 5.6 times as many people as United Arab Emirates (65.49 million vs 11.66 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, South Africa or United Arab Emirates?▾
United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates's economy is 58% larger than South Africa's ($669.39 billion vs $424.75 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, South Africa or United Arab Emirates?▾
United Arab Emirates is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $57,385 in United Arab Emirates vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).