South Africa vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 112 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
The United States leads in many areas compared to South Africa, with a substantial GDP of $32.95 trillion compared to South Africa's $424.75 billion. In terms of population, the U.S. has 349.13 million people, while South Africa has 65.49 million.
Economy
In economic terms, the United States dominates with a GDP of $32.95 trillion, far surpassing South Africa's $424.75 billion. The U.S. also excels in Agriculture Value Added, generating $350.60 billion compared to South Africa's $14.21 billion.
People and Society
The United States has a higher median age of 38.79 years, while South Africa's is 29 years. The U.S. also has a higher percentage of currently married individuals at 51.38%, compared to South Africa's 33.25%.
Environment
Both countries have unique environmental metrics. The U.S. has a higher above-ground biomass in forests at 94.67 tonnes/ha, while South Africa records 85.66 tonnes/ha. However, South Africa shows significant carbon dioxide emissions at 446.7 million tonnes, whereas the U.S. has a lower figure of 4.8 million tonnes.
Communications
6 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 75.66 % | 93.14 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 93% (2023 est.) | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 75.71 points★ | 65.49 points | |
| Radios | 17 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 6 | 219★ | |
| Waterways | NA | 41,009 |
Economy
44 metricsEnvironment
6 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 3.23M | -14.29M★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 446.7 | 4.8★ | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | not specified; | |
| 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 | large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western-tier states; mountainous areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, deserts in the southwest | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 4.8 Cubic meters per year | 1,383 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 51.35★ | 3.07 |
Geography
6 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 1.94 % | 2.11 %★ | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 85.66 | 94.67★ | |
| Agricultural land | 963,410 sq. km | 4.17M sq. km★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 2,798 km | 19,924 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 464.7 cubic meters per inhabitant | 2,113 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 16,700 | 234,782★ |
Government
4 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 61.59 % | 88.3 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 9 | 50★ | |
| Independence | 31★ | 4 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
10 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes Deaths Per 100,000 (Age-Std) | 102.05 | 26.49★ | |
| Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population) | 7.2 | 13.7★ | |
| Health Expenditure (% of GDP) | 8.3 % of GDP | 16.6 % of GDP★ | |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate | 18.3 % | NA | |
| Hospital Bed Density | 2.8 people/sq km | 2.9 people/sq km★ | |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (%) | 118 % | 17 %★ | |
| Mean Age at First Birth | 22.5 | 25.4★ | |
| Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate (%) | 28.3 %★ | 36.2 % | |
| People Living With HIV/AIDS | 7.8 | NA | |
| Underweight Children Under 5 | 4.9 | 0.4★ |
Military and Security
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 89,000 | 1.40M★ |
People and Society
30 metricsTransportation
5 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.37 | 2.06★ | |
| Airports | 573 | 16,116★ | |
| Annual Human Space Visits (Total) | 0 | 3★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 90 | 8,252★ | |
| Heliports | 49 | 8,130★ |