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Argentina vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Argentina has a population of 45.7M (ranked 35/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Argentina's land area is 1,056,642 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 8th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Argentina ranks 24/197 ($638B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Argentina ranks 72/197 ($13,970), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Argentina South Africa
Population
46048053
65683993
Population rank 35/197 24/197
GDP
$638B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 24/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$13,970
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 72/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$30,431
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$540B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.7%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,826
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 46/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,743
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 1,056,642 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
43.5 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.5
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
33.5 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
77.8 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Argentina and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Argentina and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Argentina South Africa
2024 $638,365,455,340 $401,144,998,374
2023 $649,461,687,959 $381,440,724,491
2022 $633,993,756,301 $407,596,043,068
2021 $486,564,085,480 $419,986,284,375
2020 $385,740,508,437 $337,974,655,408
2019 $447,754,683,615 $389,330,032,224
2018 $524,819,892,360 $405,260,723,893
2017 $643,628,393,281 $381,448,814,653
2016 $557,532,320,663 $323,585,509,674
2015 $594,749,285,413 $346,709,790,459
2014 $526,319,673,732 $381,198,869,776
2013 $552,025,140,252 $400,886,013,596
2012 $545,982,375,701 $434,400,545,086
2011 $530,158,122,010 $458,199,494,831
2010 $423,627,422,092 $417,363,822,802
2009 $332,976,484,578 $329,754,060,647
2008 $361,558,037,110 $316,131,258,616
2007 $287,530,508,431 $333,077,117,254
2006 $232,557,260,817 $303,858,675,364
2005 $198,737,095,012 $288,867,217,197
2004 $164,657,930,453 $255,806,908,595
2003 $127,586,973,492 $197,018,965,309
2002 $97,724,004,252 $129,087,556,612
2001 $268,696,750,000 $135,429,905,923
2000 $284,203,750,000 $151,752,757,215
1999 $283,523,000,000 $151,516,957,079
1998 $298,948,250,000 $152,982,984,557
1997 $292,859,000,000 $168,978,057,328
1996 $272,149,750,000 $163,234,925,381
1995 $258,031,750,000 $171,735,933,897
1994 $257,440,000,000 $153,512,712,382
1993 $236,741,715,015 $147,194,747,566
1992 $228,778,917,308 $146,956,150,987
1991 $189,719,984,268 $135,203,698,238
1990 $141,352,654,305 $126,048,140,142
1989 $76,629,728,760 $108,055,624,082
1988 $126,890,235,049 $103,976,831,871
1987 $108,810,885,301 $96,535,763,418
1986 $105,872,372,614 $73,354,771,399
1985 $88,150,891,728 $64,459,376,087
1984 $116,915,052,107 $84,870,163,366
1983 $103,979,106,778 $96,204,110,942
1982 $84,307,486,837 $85,904,057,409
1981 $78,676,842,367 $93,141,472,164
1980 $76,961,923,741 $89,411,864,402
1979 $69,252,328,952 $63,038,658,089
1978 $89,049,453,088 $51,607,412,902
1977 $56,781,000,101 $45,328,411,332
1976 $51,169,499,892 $41,150,460,288
1975 $52,438,647,922 $42,906,905,672
1974 $72,436,777,342 $41,389,186,095
1973 $52,544,000,117 $33,262,772,008
1972 $34,733,000,536 $24,515,919,217
1971 $33,293,199,095 $23,411,076,638
1970 $31,584,210,366 $21,218,391,513
1969 $31,256,284,544 $19,256,992,297
1968 $26,436,857,247 $17,124,793,150
1967 $24,256,667,553 $15,821,393,671
1966 $28,630,474,728 $14,211,394,315
1965 $28,344,705,967 $13,068,994,772
1964 $25,605,249,382 $11,955,995,218
1963 $18,272,123,664 $10,854,195,658
1962 $18,337,691,145 $9,813,996,074
1961 $20,132,220,375 $9,225,996,310
1960 $15,865,474,315 $8,748,596,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Argentina and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Argentina South Africa
2024 $13,970 $6,267
2023 $14,262 $6,034
2022 $13,962 $6,534
2021 $10,738 $6,829
2020 $8,536 $5,581
2019 $9,956 $6,534
2018 $11,753 $6,914
2017 $14,533 $6,618
2016 $12,700 $5,651
2015 $13,680 $6,112
2014 $12,233 $6,857
2013 $12,964 $7,332
2012 $12,950 $8,077
2011 $12,704 $8,646
2010 $10,260 $7,973
2009 $8,150 $6,375
2008 $8,944 $6,185
2007 $7,185 $6,592
2006 $5,869 $6,077
2005 $5,068 $5,837
2004 $4,242 $5,221
2003 $3,320 $4,062
2002 $2,570 $2,688
2001 $7,141 $2,847
2000 $7,637 $3,218
1999 $7,706 $3,242
1998 $8,219 $3,310
1997 $8,147 $3,700
1996 $7,663 $3,618
1995 $7,358 $3,856
1994 $7,438 $3,489
1993 $6,932 $3,400
1992 $6,790 $3,462
1991 $5,709 $3,243
1990 $4,315 $3,093
1989 $2,375 $2,727
1988 $3,993 $2,702
1987 $3,477 $2,586
1986 $3,436 $2,027
1985 $2,906 $1,839
1984 $3,915 $2,504
1983 $3,538 $2,938
1982 $2,915 $2,717
1981 $2,764 $3,050
1980 $2,748 $3,029
1979 $2,512 $2,202
1978 $3,282 $1,852
1977 $2,126 $1,671
1976 $1,947 $1,559
1975 $2,027 $1,670
1974 $2,845 $1,656
1973 $2,098 $1,369
1972 $1,409 $1,038
1971 $1,373 $1,020
1970 $1,323 $952
1969 $1,330 $891
1968 $1,142 $817
1967 $1,064 $779
1966 $1,275 $722
1965 $1,282 $685
1964 $1,176 $646
1963 $853 $605
1962 $870 $563
1961 $971 $546
1960 $778 $532

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Argentina vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Argentina South Africa
2026 77.8 66.7
2025 77.7 66.5
2024 77.5 66.3
2023 77.4 66.1
2022 75.8 65.5
2021 73.9 62
2020 75.9 65.2
2019 76.8 66.1
2018 76.8 65.7
2017 76.5 65.4
2016 76.1 64.7
2015 76.6 64.1
2014 76.3 63.2
2013 75.8 62.4
2012 75.8 61.7
2011 76.1 60.6
2010 75.7 58.9
2009 75.6 57.4
2008 75.4 56
2007 74.8 54.9
2006 75.3 54.2
2005 75.2 53.9
2004 74.9 54
2003 74.3 54.2
2002 74.3 55.6
2001 74.2 57.2
2000 73.9 58.4
1999 73.7 59.2
1998 73.4 59.9
1997 73.4 60.5
1996 73.1 61.1
1995 72.9 61.6
1994 72.7 62.1
1993 72.3 62.6
1992 72.1 62.8
1991 72 63
1990 71.6 62.9
1989 71.5 63
1988 71.1 62.9
1987 70.7 62.7
1986 70.3 62.4
1985 69.9 62.2
1984 69.4 61.8
1983 69.3 61.4
1982 69 60.9
1981 68.9 60.4
1980 68.6 60
1979 68.4 59.5
1978 68 59
1977 67.6 58.5
1976 67 58
1975 67 57.6
1974 66.4 57.1
1973 66.2 56.7
1972 66 56.4
1971 65.6 56
1970 65.6 55.7
1969 65.1 55.4
1968 65.2 55.2
1967 65.5 55
1966 65.4 54.7
1965 65.1 54.4
1964 64.8 54.2
1963 64.9 53.9
1962 64.6 53.6
1961 64.6 53.1
1960 64.2 52.6
1959 64.1 51.9
1958 64.2 51.1
1957 63.2 50.2
1956 63.6 49.2
1955 62.7 48.2
1954 63.1 47.1
1953 62.5 46.1
1952 62.5 45
1951 61.7 44.1
1950 61.3 43.1

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Argentina and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Argentina South Africa
2024 45,696,159 64,007,187
2023 45,538,401 63,212,384
2022 45,407,904 62,378,410
2021 45,312,281 61,502,603
2020 45,191,965 60,562,381
2019 44,973,465 59,587,885
2018 44,654,882 58,613,001
2017 44,288,894 57,635,162
2016 43,900,313 57,259,551
2015 43,477,012 56,723,537
2014 43,024,071 55,594,838
2013 42,582,455 54,678,791
2012 42,161,721 53,782,567
2011 41,730,660 52,995,205
2010 41,288,694 52,344,051
2009 40,854,831 51,728,516
2008 40,424,148 51,114,599
2007 40,016,763 50,528,584
2006 39,622,115 49,998,277
2005 39,216,789 49,490,033
2004 38,815,916 48,991,421
2003 38,424,282 48,500,348
2002 38,029,349 48,019,415
2001 37,624,825 47,566,800
2000 37,213,984 47,159,719
1999 36,794,682 46,730,335
1998 36,372,860 46,223,880
1997 35,947,791 45,666,838
1996 35,513,793 45,123,018
1995 35,070,020 44,541,554
1994 34,613,491 44,004,139
1993 34,152,717 43,297,156
1992 33,693,527 42,443,509
1991 33,230,294 41,687,898
1990 32,755,901 40,746,268
1989 32,270,948 39,628,575
1988 31,780,532 38,480,649
1987 31,291,762 37,326,190
1986 30,811,980 36,180,515
1985 30,336,441 35,042,093
1984 29,863,093 33,892,788
1983 29,391,332 32,739,304
1982 28,924,262 31,615,339
1981 28,463,959 30,541,044
1980 28,011,596 29,518,857
1979 27,568,895 28,634,162
1978 27,132,158 27,869,507
1977 26,701,805 27,118,952
1976 26,282,283 26,395,450
1975 25,874,107 25,690,940
1974 25,461,351 24,989,108
1973 25,046,005 24,294,263
1972 24,644,328 23,609,456
1971 24,257,208 22,942,143
1970 23,878,327 22,279,984
1969 23,508,711 21,614,676
1968 23,150,583 20,957,287
1967 22,799,059 20,314,066
1966 22,453,893 19,690,087
1965 22,112,629 19,089,380
1964 21,769,453 18,511,361
1963 21,421,705 17,954,564
1962 21,072,538 17,418,522
1961 20,726,276 16,908,035
1960 20,386,045 16,440,172

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Fertility rates in Argentina and South Africa

Fertility rate
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Argentina South Africa
2023 1.5 2.22
2022 1.48 2.23
2021 1.59 2.25
2020 1.6 2.26
2019 1.88 2.26
2018 2.07 2.27
2017 2.17 2.28
2016 2.24 2.26
2015 2.35 2.36
2014 2.39 2.42
2013 2.34 2.43
2012 2.3 2.45
2011 2.39 2.44
2010 2.41 2.44
2009 2.4 2.5
2008 2.43 2.68
2007 2.37 2.55
2006 2.4 2.55
2005 2.43 2.51
2004 2.43 2.44
2003 2.45 2.36
2002 2.49 2.32
2001 2.53 2.37
2000 2.59 2.41
1999 2.64 2.56
1998 2.66 2.63
1997 2.71 2.73
1996 2.78 2.99
1995 2.86 3.17
1994 2.94 3.26
1993 2.97 3.37
1992 2.99 3.48
1991 3.01 3.62
1990 3.03 3.72
1989 3.02 3.98
1988 3.05 4.18
1987 3.04 4.35
1986 3.05 4.41
1985 3.07 4.5
1984 3.12 4.57
1983 3.15 4.63
1982 3.2 4.7
1981 3.25 4.71
1980 3.3 4.78
1979 3.34 4.82
1978 3.36 4.85
1977 3.36 4.94
1976 3.32 5.07
1975 3.27 5.19
1974 3.22 5.3
1973 3.17 5.41
1972 3.14 5.49
1971 3.11 5.57
1970 3.09 5.63
1969 3.05 5.72
1968 3.01 5.78
1967 2.98 5.85
1966 2.97 5.91
1965 3.01 5.89
1964 3.08 5.96
1963 3.11 6.01
1962 3.13 6.05
1961 3.12 6.08
1960 3.14 6.11

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Argentina and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Argentina

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Argentina South Africa
2024 33.5 29.5
2023 33.2 29.2
2022 32.8 28.9
2021 32.4 28.6
2020 32.1 28.3
2019 31.8 27.9
2018 31.5 27.5
2017 31.3 27
2016 31.1 26.7
2015 30.9 26.4
2014 30.7 26
2013 30.5 25.7
2012 30.3 25.3
2011 30.1 25
2010 29.9 24.6
2009 29.7 24.3
2008 29.4 24
2007 29.2 23.8
2006 29 23.5
2005 28.8 23.3
2004 28.6 23.1
2003 28.4 22.8
2002 28.2 22.4
2001 28.1 22.2
2000 27.9 21.9
1999 27.8 21.6
1998 27.7 21.4
1997 27.6 21.2
1996 27.5 21.2
1995 27.5 21.5
1994 27.4 22
1993 27.4 21.9
1992 27.4 21.5
1991 27.3 21.5
1990 27.3 21.3
1989 27.3 21.1
1988 27.2 20.9
1987 27.2 20.7
1986 27.1 20.5
1985 27.1 20.4
1984 27.1 20.2
1983 27.1 20
1982 27 19.8
1981 27 19.6
1980 27 19.4
1979 27 19.3
1978 27 19.2
1977 27 19.1
1976 27 19
1975 27 18.9
1974 27 18.9
1973 27 18.8
1972 27 18.8
1971 27 18.8
1970 26.9 18.8
1969 26.9 18.8
1968 26.9 18.8
1967 26.8 18.8
1966 26.8 18.8
1965 26.7 18.8
1964 26.7 18.9
1963 26.7 18.9
1962 26.6 18.9
1961 26.6 19
1960 26.5 19

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/argentina/south-africa | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Argentina and South Africa.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Argentina South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$618B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.9%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.62%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
103,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+0.46%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
57.4
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2024
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2024
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires
5
2025
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00002%
2025
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies
85
2021
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$52.9B
2022
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$29.6B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$1.04B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
7,399,000
2019
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.64%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
81.7%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Argentina South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,832 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$16.5
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
183.3 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
4.01 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
87%
2022
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
9.2%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
8.9%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
0.42%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
2,822 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
25.5%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
27.2%
2023
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
6.45%
2023
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Argentina South Africa
% of world population
0.56%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
+2,859
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
92.3%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.6:50.4
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.73 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
58.7
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
36
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
80
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.31
2022
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
14.1
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
160
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
99.1%
2020
91.2%
2024
English speaking
6.52%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
89.7%
2024
75.7%
2023

Health

Argentina South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,457
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$357
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
77.8 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.85%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
5.11
2023
0.79
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
33
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
9.6
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
36.4%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
14%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
60
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
23.8%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
8.05 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Argentina South Africa
% of world land
1.84%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
23,123 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
448,405 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
109,059 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
149,129 mi
2017
466,028 mi
2016

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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