South Africa vs Vanuatu: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 151 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 191 times as many people as Vanuatu (65.49 million vs 342,561). South Africa's economy is 336 times the size of Vanuatu's ($424.75 billion vs $1.26 billion GDP).
Comparing South Africa and Vanuatu: Vanuatu leads on Major Urban Areas Population (53,000 people) against South Africa (10.32 people); Vanuatu leads on Labor Force Participation Rate (118,100) against South Africa (27.77); Vanuatu leads on Radios (67,000) against South Africa (17). Across 151 compared metrics, South Africa wins on 85 and Vanuatu wins on 54.
- Communications: 8 metrics compared
- Economy: 54 metrics compared
- Environment: 12 metrics compared
- Geography: 5 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 23 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 1 metric compared
- People and Society: 35 metrics compared
- Transportation: 3 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
Communications
8 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 5.35 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 1.16 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 51.92 %★ | 22.35 % | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 75.66 %★ | 45.73 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 46% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 5.35 Mbps★ | 1.16 Mbps | |
| Radios | 17 | 67,000★ | |
| Televisions | 6 | 2,300★ | |
| Waterways | NA | none |
Economy
54 metricsEnvironment
12 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 3.23M | 8,621★ | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 87,566.02 %★ | -2,384 % | |
| Average Annual Temperature | 18.35 °C | 25.59 °C★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 446.7★ | 292,000 | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | edge of continental margin or 200 nm; | |
| Global Precipitation Distribution | 652.17 mm | 2,297.63 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 | three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 9.88 sq km★ | 4.68 sq km | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 9.6 %★ | 4.8 % | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 4.8 Cubic meters per year★ | 4.38 Cubic meters per year | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 51.35★ | 10 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 33 species | 8 species★ |
Geography
5 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 1.94 %★ | 0.6 % | |
| Agricultural land | 963,410 sq. km★ | 1,870 sq. km | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 1.21M★ | 12,190 | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 2,798 km★ | 2,528 km | |
| Irrigated Land | 16,700★ | 0 |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 61.59 %★ | 54.55 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | 9★ | 6 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 41 index★ | 50 index | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 41 index | 50 index★ | |
| Independence | 31★ | 30 | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | 10.94★ | 2.07 | |
| Prison Population Rate | 259 per 100,000 | 86 per 100,000★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 41★ | 50 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
23 metricsMilitary and Security
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | 0 personnel |
People and Society
35 metricsTransportation
3 metrics| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.37 | 1.26★ | |
| Airports | 573★ | 31 | |
| Civil Air Travel | 90 | no major transport aircraft |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 4.96B USD★ | 45.93M USD |
Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa vs Vanuatu
Which has a larger population, South Africa or Vanuatu?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 191 times as many people as Vanuatu (65.49 million vs 342,561). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, South Africa or Vanuatu?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 336 times the size of Vanuatu's ($424.75 billion vs $1.26 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, South Africa or Vanuatu?▾
South Africa is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $6,486 in South Africa vs $3,686 in Vanuatu (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).