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Cuba vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Cuba has a population of 11M (ranked 87/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Cuba's land area is 40,077 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 103rd vs. 24th).

By GDP, Cuba ranks 69/197 ($107B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Cuba ranks 86/197 ($9,605), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Cuba South Africa
Population
10894785
65683993
Population rank 90/197 24/197
GDP
$107B
2020
$401B
2024
GDP rank 69/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 86/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$15,456
2024
Government debt n/a
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
76%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,075
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 40,077 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
271.8 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.44
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
43.1 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
78.6 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Cuba and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Cuba and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Cuba South Africa
2024 - $401,144,998,374
2023 - $381,440,724,491
2022 - $407,596,043,068
2021 - $419,986,284,375
2020 $107,352,000,000 $337,974,655,408
2019 $103,427,600,000 $389,330,032,224
2018 $100,050,036,100 $405,260,723,893
2017 $96,850,649,700 $381,448,814,653
2016 $91,370,407,900 $323,585,509,674
2015 $87,132,800,000 $346,709,790,459
2014 $80,656,100,000 $381,198,869,776
2013 $77,148,000,000 $400,886,013,596
2012 $73,141,000,000 $434,400,545,086
2011 $68,990,000,000 $458,199,494,831
2010 $59,562,962,963 $417,363,822,802
2009 $57,481,481,481 $329,754,060,647
2008 $56,302,129,630 $316,131,258,616
2007 $54,262,870,370 $333,077,117,254
2006 $48,835,925,926 $303,858,675,364
2005 $42,643,836,100 $288,867,217,197
2004 $38,203,000,000 $255,806,908,595
2003 $35,901,200,000 $197,018,965,309
2002 $33,590,500,000 $129,087,556,612
2001 $31,682,400,000 $135,429,905,923
2000 $30,565,400,000 $151,752,757,215
1999 $28,364,615,200 $151,516,957,079
1998 $25,736,331,200 $152,982,984,557
1997 $25,365,908,100 $168,978,057,328
1996 $25,017,368,700 $163,234,925,381
1995 $30,429,803,651 $171,735,933,897
1994 $28,448,326,757 $153,512,712,382
1993 $22,367,254,865 $147,194,747,566
1992 $22,085,858,243 $146,956,150,987
1991 $24,316,556,026 $135,203,698,238
1990 $28,645,436,569 $126,048,140,142
1989 $27,023,468,666 $108,055,624,082
1988 $27,458,999,472 $103,976,831,871
1987 $25,213,935,012 $96,535,763,418
1986 $24,226,574,634 $73,354,771,399
1985 $22,920,490,774 $64,459,376,087
1984 $24,039,383,608 $84,870,163,366
1983 $22,204,940,512 $96,204,110,942
1982 $20,953,510,235 $85,904,057,409
1981 $20,150,254,096 $93,141,472,164
1980 $19,912,889,861 $89,411,864,402
1979 $19,584,443,288 $63,038,658,089
1978 $17,844,705,325 $51,607,412,902
1977 $14,206,158,675 $45,328,411,332
1976 $13,789,579,903 $41,150,460,288
1975 $13,027,415,244 $42,906,905,672
1974 $11,405,957,317 $41,389,186,095
1973 $9,987,709,650 $33,262,772,008
1972 $8,135,150,892 $24,515,919,217
1971 $6,914,658,400 $23,411,076,638
1970 $5,693,005,200 $21,218,391,513
1969 - $19,256,992,297
1968 - $17,124,793,150
1967 - $15,821,393,671
1966 - $14,211,394,315
1965 - $13,068,994,772
1964 - $11,955,995,218
1963 - $10,854,195,658
1962 - $9,813,996,074
1961 - $9,225,996,310
1960 - $8,748,596,501

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

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

Cuba and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Cuba South Africa
2024 - $6,267
2023 - $6,034
2022 - $6,534
2021 - $6,829
2020 $9,605 $5,581
2019 $9,232 $6,534
2018 $8,911 $6,914
2017 $8,611 $6,618
2016 $8,111 $5,651
2015 $7,728 $6,112
2014 $7,147 $6,857
2013 $6,828 $7,332
2012 $6,471 $8,077
2011 $6,104 $8,646
2010 $5,272 $7,973
2009 $5,089 $6,375
2008 $4,986 $6,185
2007 $4,807 $6,592
2006 $4,330 $6,077
2005 $3,786 $5,837
2004 $3,399 $5,221
2003 $3,203 $4,062
2002 $3,005 $2,688
2001 $2,843 $2,847
2000 $2,751 $3,218
1999 $2,562 $3,242
1998 $2,332 $3,310
1997 $2,306 $3,700
1996 $2,282 $3,618
1995 $2,785 $3,856
1994 $2,613 $3,489
1993 $2,063 $3,400
1992 $2,048 $3,462
1991 $2,269 $3,243
1990 $2,694 $3,093
1989 $2,566 $2,727
1988 $2,632 $2,702
1987 $2,440 $2,586
1986 $2,365 $2,027
1985 $2,257 $1,839
1984 $2,386 $2,504
1983 $2,222 $2,938
1982 $2,114 $2,717
1981 $2,046 $3,050
1980 $2,031 $3,029
1979 $2,006 $2,202
1978 $1,837 $1,852
1977 $1,472 $1,671
1976 $1,441 $1,559
1975 $1,374 $1,670
1974 $1,217 $1,656
1973 $1,079 $1,369
1972 $892 $1,038
1971 $770 $1,020
1970 $645 $952
1969 - $891
1968 - $817
1967 - $779
1966 - $722
1965 - $685
1964 - $646
1963 - $605
1962 - $563
1961 - $546
1960 - $532

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

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

Cuba vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Cuba South Africa
2026 78.6 66.7
2025 78.4 66.5
2024 78.3 66.3
2023 78.1 66.1
2022 77.6 65.5
2021 73.2 62
2020 77.4 65.2
2019 77.4 66.1
2018 77.4 65.7
2017 77.3 65.4
2016 77.6 64.7
2015 77.7 64.1
2014 77.8 63.2
2013 78 62.4
2012 78.2 61.7
2011 78.1 60.6
2010 77.9 58.9
2009 77.6 57.4
2008 77.6 56
2007 77.6 54.9
2006 77.4 54.2
2005 77.5 53.9
2004 77.3 54
2003 77.4 54.2
2002 76.8 55.6
2001 76.4 57.2
2000 75.9 58.4
1999 75.7 59.2
1998 75.4 59.9
1997 75.1 60.5
1996 74.7 61.1
1995 74.3 61.6
1994 74.1 62.1
1993 73.9 62.6
1992 73.8 62.8
1991 73.8 63
1990 73.8 62.9
1989 73.7 63
1988 73.7 62.9
1987 73.6 62.7
1986 73.6 62.4
1985 73.5 62.2
1984 73.6 61.8
1983 73.6 61.4
1982 73.4 60.9
1981 73 60.4
1980 72.6 60
1979 72.3 59.5
1978 71.9 59
1977 71.4 58.5
1976 70.9 58
1975 70.4 57.6
1974 69.9 57.1
1973 69.3 56.7
1972 68.9 56.4
1971 68.4 56
1970 67.9 55.7
1969 67.4 55.4
1968 66.9 55.2
1967 66.5 55
1966 66.1 54.7
1965 65.6 54.4
1964 65.3 54.2
1963 64.3 53.9
1962 64.4 53.6
1961 63.7 53.1
1960 63.3 52.6
1959 62.8 51.9
1958 62.3 51.1
1957 61.9 50.2
1956 61.5 49.2
1955 61.2 48.2
1954 60.7 47.1
1953 60.2 46.1
1952 59.8 45
1951 59.4 44.1
1950 59 43.1

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

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

Cuba and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Cuba South Africa
2024 10,979,783 64,007,187
2023 11,019,931 63,212,384
2022 11,059,820 62,378,410
2021 11,122,168 61,502,603
2020 11,176,354 60,562,381
2019 11,202,846 59,587,885
2018 11,227,118 58,613,001
2017 11,247,829 57,635,162
2016 11,265,612 57,259,551
2015 11,275,065 56,723,537
2014 11,285,775 55,594,838
2013 11,298,167 54,678,791
2012 11,303,175 53,782,567
2011 11,301,571 52,995,205
2010 11,297,409 52,344,051
2009 11,294,719 51,728,516
2008 11,291,762 51,114,599
2007 11,287,272 50,528,584
2006 11,278,550 49,998,277
2005 11,262,554 49,490,033
2004 11,238,756 48,991,421
2003 11,209,383 48,500,348
2002 11,177,418 48,019,415
2001 11,144,132 47,566,800
2000 11,109,109 47,159,719
1999 11,072,230 46,730,335
1998 11,034,712 46,223,880
1997 10,997,934 45,666,838
1996 10,962,010 45,123,018
1995 10,925,362 44,541,554
1994 10,886,021 44,004,139
1993 10,841,031 43,297,156
1992 10,785,801 42,443,509
1991 10,717,640 41,687,898
1990 10,631,799 40,746,268
1989 10,533,243 39,628,575
1988 10,432,585 38,480,649
1987 10,335,342 37,326,190
1986 10,244,247 36,180,515
1985 10,157,228 35,042,093
1984 10,073,299 33,892,788
1983 9,991,026 32,739,304
1982 9,912,681 31,615,339
1981 9,849,320 30,541,044
1980 9,804,796 29,518,857
1979 9,763,355 28,634,162
1978 9,711,980 27,869,507
1977 9,648,440 27,118,952
1976 9,571,242 26,395,450
1975 9,479,726 25,690,940
1974 9,374,183 24,989,108
1973 9,255,328 24,294,263
1972 9,123,891 23,609,456
1971 8,979,085 22,942,143
1970 8,824,382 22,279,984
1969 8,666,640 21,614,676
1968 8,509,522 20,957,287
1967 8,352,625 20,314,066
1966 8,193,450 19,690,087
1965 8,030,797 19,089,380
1964 7,866,020 18,511,361
1963 7,701,660 17,954,564
1962 7,541,098 17,418,522
1961 7,387,117 16,908,035
1960 7,238,081 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Cuba and South Africa

Fertility rate
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Cuba South Africa
2023 1.44 2.22
2022 1.41 2.23
2021 1.43 2.25
2020 1.49 2.26
2019 1.54 2.26
2018 1.61 2.27
2017 1.59 2.28
2016 1.6 2.26
2015 1.69 2.36
2014 1.66 2.42
2013 1.68 2.43
2012 1.67 2.45
2011 1.73 2.44
2010 1.67 2.44
2009 1.68 2.5
2008 1.58 2.68
2007 1.44 2.55
2006 1.4 2.55
2005 1.49 2.51
2004 1.55 2.44
2003 1.63 2.36
2002 1.65 2.32
2001 1.6 2.37
2000 1.61 2.41
1999 1.64 2.56
1998 1.62 2.63
1997 1.59 2.73
1996 1.46 2.99
1995 1.48 3.17
1994 1.47 3.26
1993 1.49 3.37
1992 1.56 3.48
1991 1.66 3.62
1990 1.81 3.72
1989 1.83 3.98
1988 1.85 4.18
1987 1.8 4.35
1986 1.78 4.41
1985 1.77 4.5
1984 1.77 4.57
1983 1.8 4.63
1982 1.78 4.7
1981 1.59 4.71
1980 1.64 4.78
1979 1.77 4.82
1978 1.88 4.85
1977 2.21 4.94
1976 2.51 5.07
1975 2.82 5.19
1974 3.16 5.3
1973 3.4 5.41
1972 3.61 5.49
1971 3.8 5.57
1970 3.98 5.63
1969 4.12 5.72
1968 4.19 5.78
1967 4.29 5.85
1966 4.4 5.91
1965 4.5 5.89
1964 4.53 5.96
1963 4.56 6.01
1962 4.42 6.05
1961 4.26 6.08
1960 4.13 6.11

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

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

Cuba and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Cuba

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Cuba South Africa
2024 43.1 29.5
2023 42.8 29.2
2022 42.5 28.9
2021 42.3 28.6
2020 42.1 28.3
2019 41.9 27.9
2018 41.6 27.5
2017 41.3 27
2016 40.9 26.7
2015 40.6 26.4
2014 40.2 26
2013 39.7 25.7
2012 39.1 25.3
2011 38.6 25
2010 38.2 24.6
2009 37.7 24.3
2008 37.3 24
2007 36.8 23.8
2006 36.2 23.5
2005 35.7 23.3
2004 35.2 23.1
2003 34.7 22.8
2002 34.2 22.4
2001 33.6 22.2
2000 33.1 21.9
1999 32.5 21.6
1998 32 21.4
1997 31.4 21.2
1996 30.9 21.2
1995 30.3 21.5
1994 29.7 22
1993 29.2 21.9
1992 28.7 21.5
1991 28.3 21.5
1990 27.9 21.3
1989 27.5 21.1
1988 27.1 20.9
1987 26.7 20.7
1986 26.3 20.5
1985 25.9 20.4
1984 25.5 20.2
1983 25.1 20
1982 24.8 19.8
1981 24.5 19.6
1980 24.1 19.4
1979 23.7 19.3
1978 23.4 19.2
1977 23 19.1
1976 22.7 19
1975 22.5 18.9
1974 22.2 18.9
1973 22.1 18.8
1972 21.9 18.8
1971 21.9 18.8
1970 21.8 18.8
1969 21.8 18.8
1968 21.9 18.8
1967 21.9 18.8
1966 22 18.8
1965 22.1 18.8
1964 22.2 18.9
1963 22.3 18.9
1962 22.4 18.9
1961 22.5 19
1960 22.5 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Cuba South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49%
2025
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.44%
2022
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.88%
2018
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
76,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP n/a
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
25.2
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received n/a
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,086,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports n/a
2.89%
2020
Banked people share n/a
81.1%
2024

Energy

Cuba South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
816 kg
2022
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
21 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
1.91 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
88.1%
2022
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20.9%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.34%
2022
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
62.8%
2022
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
1,102 kWh
2022
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
5.19%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0.77%
2022
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Cuba South Africa
% of world population
0.14%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-22,244
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
77.2%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.3:50.7
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.7 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.25 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
47.2
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
40
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
51
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.42
2019
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
8.9
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
72
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
99.7%
2021
91.2%
2024
English speaking
6%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
71.3%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Cuba South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,199
2020
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$107
2020
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
78.6 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.02%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
9.54
2021
0.79
2022
Maternal mortality per 100K births
35
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
8.3
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
22.6%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.4%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
90
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
17.4%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
5.38 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Cuba South Africa
% of world land
0.07%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
3,650 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
24,714 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
12,517 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length n/a
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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