South Africa vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 173 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
United States has 5.3 times as many people as South Africa (349.13 million vs 65.49 million). United States's economy is 77.6 times the size of South Africa's ($32.95 trillion vs $424.75 billion GDP).
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
8 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 78.36 % | 94.69 %★ | |
| 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.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 5.35 Mbps | 38.86 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 75.71 points★ | 65.49 points | |
| Radios | 17 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 6 | 219★ | |
| Waterways | NA | 41,009 |
Economy
68 metricsEnvironment
10 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 3.23M | -14.29M★ | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 18.35 °C★ | 10.43 °C | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 446.7 | 4.8★ | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | not specified; | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 652.17 mm | 810.4 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 | 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 | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 9.88 sq km | 12.85 sq km★ | |
| 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 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 33 species★ | 43 species |
Geography
7 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★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 1.21M | 9.15M★ | |
| 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
9 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 61.59 % | 88.3 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 9 | 50★ | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 41 index★ | 65 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 41 index | 65 index★ | |
| Independence | 31★ | 4 | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 10.94★ | 7.08 | |
| Prison Population Rate | 259 per 100,000★ | 505 per 100,000 | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 41★ | 65 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
23 metricsMilitary and Security
2 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Expenditure (% of GDP) | 0.74 %★ | 3.12 % | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 89,000 | 1.40M★ |
People and Society
39 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★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 6.72B USD | 251.65B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 7 %★ | 3.75 % |
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa vs United States
Which has a larger population, South Africa or United States?▾
United States. United States has 5.3 times as many people as South Africa (349.13 million vs 65.49 million). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, South Africa or United States?▾
United States. United States's economy is 77.6 times the size of South Africa's ($32.95 trillion vs $424.75 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, South Africa or United States?▾
United States is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $94,373 in United States vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).