Skip to content

Ethiopia vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a population of 132M (ranked 10/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Ethiopia's land area is 435,716 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 25th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Ethiopia ranks 60/197 ($150B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Ethiopia ranks 171/197 ($1,134), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Ethiopia South Africa
Population
139917664
65683993
Population rank 10/197 24/197
GDP
$150B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 60/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 171/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 172/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 435,716 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
319 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.99
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
19.9 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
68.1 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Ethiopia and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Ethiopia and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Ethiopia South Africa
2024 $149,740,297,953 $401,144,998,374
2023 $135,874,093,202 $381,440,724,491
2022 $123,140,304,666 $407,596,043,068
2021 $109,070,960,372 $419,986,284,375
2020 $98,676,811,061 $337,974,655,408
2019 $91,834,517,113 $389,330,032,224
2018 $83,337,901,072 $405,260,723,893
2017 $76,366,081,767 $381,448,814,653
2016 $68,475,871,210 $323,585,509,674
2015 $62,103,418,182 $346,709,790,459
2014 $55,612,228,234 $381,198,869,776
2013 $47,648,276,605 $400,886,013,596
2012 $43,310,721,414 $434,400,545,086
2011 $31,952,763,089 $458,199,494,831
2010 $29,933,790,334 $417,363,822,802
2009 $32,437,389,116 $329,754,060,647
2008 $27,066,912,635 $316,131,258,616
2007 $19,707,616,773 $333,077,117,254
2006 $15,280,861,835 $303,858,675,364
2005 $12,401,139,454 $288,867,217,197
2004 $10,131,187,261 $255,806,908,595
2003 $8,623,691,300 $197,018,965,309
2002 $7,850,809,498 $129,087,556,612
2001 $8,231,326,016 $135,429,905,923
2000 $8,242,349,618 $151,752,757,215
1999 $7,892,973,532 $151,516,957,079
1998 $8,013,274,132 $152,982,984,557
1997 $8,803,539,988 $168,978,057,328
1996 $8,761,215,548 $163,234,925,381
1995 $7,855,205,207 $171,735,933,897
1994 $7,100,806,754 $153,512,712,382
1993 $9,051,043,870 $147,194,747,566
1992 $10,754,799,037 $146,956,150,987
1991 $13,799,799,324 $135,203,698,238
1990 $12,478,943,895 $126,048,140,142
1989 $11,762,932,007 $108,055,624,082
1988 $11,181,119,718 $103,976,831,871
1987 $10,790,001,558 $96,535,763,418
1986 $10,094,328,898 $73,354,771,399
1985 $9,717,392,687 $64,459,376,087
1984 $8,298,309,581 $84,870,163,366
1983 $8,781,664,427 $96,204,110,942
1982 $7,899,988,841 $85,904,057,409
1981 $7,507,663,567 $93,141,472,164
1980 $7,012,585,454 $89,411,864,402
1979 $6,586,048,398 $63,038,658,089
1978 $6,014,961,435 $51,607,412,902
1977 $5,651,840,585 $45,328,411,332
1976 $4,943,806,093 $41,150,460,288
1975 $4,577,047,854 $42,906,905,672
1974 $4,577,209,966 $41,389,186,095
1973 $4,070,570,550 $33,262,772,008
1972 $3,520,252,938 $24,515,919,217
1971 $3,224,280,835 $23,411,076,638
1970 $3,045,354,455 $21,218,391,513
1969 $2,768,987,372 $19,256,992,297
1968 $2,619,948,865 $17,124,793,150
1967 $2,461,762,003 $15,821,393,671
1966 $2,324,466,416 $14,211,394,315
1965 $2,159,998,591 $13,068,994,772
1964 $1,984,129,186 $11,955,995,218
1963 $1,825,058,828 $10,854,195,658
1962 $1,747,566,307 $9,813,996,074
1961 $1,680,859,514 $9,225,996,310
1960 $1,610,511,694 $8,748,596,501

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

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

Ethiopia and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Ethiopia South Africa
2024 $1,134 $6,267
2023 $1,056 $6,034
2022 $982 $6,534
2021 $893 $6,829
2020 $830 $5,581
2019 $793 $6,534
2018 $740 $6,914
2017 $696 $6,618
2016 $642 $5,651
2015 $598 $6,112
2014 $550 $6,857
2013 $484 $7,332
2012 $452 $8,077
2011 $343 $8,646
2010 $331 $7,973
2009 $369 $6,375
2008 $316 $6,185
2007 $237.1 $6,592
2006 $189.3 $6,077
2005 $158.2 $5,837
2004 $133.2 $5,221
2003 $116.8 $4,062
2002 $109.6 $2,688
2001 $118.5 $2,847
2000 $122.3 $3,218
1999 $120.7 $3,242
1998 $126.5 $3,310
1997 $143.4 $3,700
1996 $147.3 $3,618
1995 $136.5 $3,856
1994 $127.7 $3,489
1993 $168.5 $3,400
1992 $207.4 $3,462
1991 $277.6 $3,243
1990 $262.1 $3,093
1989 $256.4 $2,727
1988 $253.2 $2,702
1987 $254.1 $2,586
1986 $246 $2,027
1985 $243.9 $1,839
1984 $214.2 $2,504
1983 $232.7 $2,938
1982 $215.3 $2,717
1981 $212.7 $3,050
1980 $203.7 $3,029
1979 $192.4 $2,202
1978 $178.3 $1,852
1977 $170.4 $1,671
1976 $152 $1,559
1975 $144.3 $1,670
1974 $147.9 $1,656
1973 $134.9 $1,369
1972 $119.8 $1,038
1971 $112.7 $1,020
1970 $109.4 $952
1969 $102.3 $891
1968 $99.5 $817
1967 $96.1 $779
1966 $93.2 $722
1965 $88.9 $685
1964 $83.8 $646
1963 $79.2 $605
1962 $77.8 $563
1961 $76.7 $546
1960 $75.3 $532

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

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

Ethiopia vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Ethiopia South Africa
2026 68.1 66.7
2025 67.9 66.5
2024 67.6 66.3
2023 67.3 66.1
2022 66.9 65.5
2021 65.3 62
2020 66 65.2
2019 65.7 66.1
2018 65.3 65.7
2017 64.8 65.4
2016 64.2 64.7
2015 63.6 64.1
2014 62.9 63.2
2013 62.2 62.4
2012 61.4 61.7
2011 60.6 60.6
2010 59.7 58.9
2009 58.7 57.4
2008 57.7 56
2007 56.6 54.9
2006 55.4 54.2
2005 54.4 53.9
2004 53.7 54
2003 52.9 54.2
2002 52.1 55.6
2001 51.4 57.2
2000 50.9 58.4
1999 49.5 59.2
1998 49.8 59.9
1997 49.2 60.5
1996 48.7 61.1
1995 48.2 61.6
1994 47.9 62.1
1993 47.7 62.6
1992 47.3 62.8
1991 46.7 63
1990 45.1 62.9
1989 45.6 63
1988 45.7 62.9
1987 45.9 62.7
1986 38.4 62.4
1985 37.7 62.2
1984 36.7 61.8
1983 36.3 61.4
1982 43.4 60.9
1981 43.1 60.4
1980 42.8 60
1979 42.4 59.5
1978 41.5 59
1977 41.4 58.5
1976 41.3 58
1975 38.9 57.6
1974 39.1 57.1
1973 41.1 56.7
1972 41 56.4
1971 42.2 56
1970 42.1 55.7
1969 42.1 55.4
1968 42.1 55.2
1967 41.9 55
1966 39.3 54.7
1965 41.4 54.4
1964 41.3 54.2
1963 41 53.9
1962 40.5 53.6
1961 40.2 53.1
1960 39.6 52.6
1959 39.2 51.9
1958 32.6 51.1
1957 32.2 50.2
1956 37.8 49.2
1955 37.3 48.2
1954 37 47.1
1953 36.6 46.1
1952 36.2 45
1951 35.9 44.1
1950 35.5 43.1

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

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

Ethiopia and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Ethiopia South Africa
2024 132,059,767 64,007,187
2023 128,691,692 63,212,384
2022 125,384,287 62,378,410
2021 122,138,588 61,502,603
2020 118,917,671 60,562,381
2019 115,737,383 59,587,885
2018 112,664,152 58,613,001
2017 109,666,481 57,635,162
2016 106,718,162 57,259,551
2015 103,867,135 56,723,537
2014 101,115,610 55,594,838
2013 98,438,751 54,678,791
2012 95,798,767 53,782,567
2011 93,149,970 52,995,205
2010 90,538,514 52,344,051
2009 88,007,636 51,728,516
2008 85,543,668 51,114,599
2007 83,103,217 50,528,584
2006 80,703,490 49,998,277
2005 78,367,470 49,490,033
2004 76,077,206 48,991,421
2003 73,832,663 48,500,348
2002 71,635,517 48,019,415
2001 69,487,762 47,566,800
2000 67,411,494 47,159,719
1999 65,374,561 46,730,335
1998 63,363,524 46,223,880
1997 61,404,539 45,666,838
1996 59,467,635 45,123,018
1995 57,537,335 44,541,554
1994 55,611,508 44,004,139
1993 53,708,891 43,297,156
1992 51,853,747 42,443,509
1991 49,717,198 41,687,898
1990 47,609,755 40,746,268
1989 45,879,690 39,628,575
1988 44,150,825 38,480,649
1987 42,460,039 37,326,190
1986 41,037,656 36,180,515
1985 39,842,136 35,042,093
1984 38,735,722 33,892,788
1983 37,740,817 32,739,304
1982 36,701,290 31,615,339
1981 35,304,012 30,541,044
1980 34,428,514 29,518,857
1979 34,238,652 28,634,162
1978 33,734,592 27,869,507
1977 33,167,272 27,118,952
1976 32,534,418 26,395,450
1975 31,723,252 25,690,940
1974 30,957,273 24,989,108
1973 30,166,785 24,294,263
1972 29,374,608 23,609,456
1971 28,600,106 22,942,143
1970 27,829,128 22,279,984
1969 27,072,571 21,614,676
1968 26,337,930 20,957,287
1967 25,620,276 20,314,066
1966 24,952,689 19,690,087
1965 24,310,612 19,089,380
1964 23,666,548 18,511,361
1963 23,051,637 17,954,564
1962 22,465,126 17,418,522
1961 21,906,102 16,908,035
1960 21,376,693 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Ethiopia and South Africa

Fertility rate
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ethiopia South Africa
2023 3.99 2.22
2022 4.08 2.23
2021 4.18 2.25
2020 4.27 2.26
2019 4.35 2.26
2018 4.37 2.27
2017 4.4 2.28
2016 4.47 2.26
2015 4.53 2.36
2014 4.61 2.42
2013 4.71 2.43
2012 4.89 2.45
2011 5.08 2.44
2010 5.28 2.44
2009 5.49 2.5
2008 5.7 2.68
2007 5.89 2.55
2006 6.05 2.55
2005 6.19 2.51
2004 6.3 2.44
2003 6.4 2.36
2002 6.5 2.32
2001 6.58 2.37
2000 6.65 2.41
1999 6.72 2.56
1998 6.79 2.63
1997 6.87 2.73
1996 6.93 2.99
1995 7 3.17
1994 7.05 3.26
1993 7.09 3.37
1992 7.13 3.48
1991 7.16 3.62
1990 7.2 3.72
1989 7.23 3.98
1988 7.26 4.18
1987 7.29 4.35
1986 7.32 4.41
1985 7.34 4.5
1984 7.36 4.57
1983 7.35 4.63
1982 7.34 4.7
1981 7.31 4.71
1980 7.29 4.78
1979 7.25 4.82
1978 7.23 4.85
1977 7.19 4.94
1976 7.13 5.07
1975 7.08 5.19
1974 7.02 5.3
1973 6.96 5.41
1972 6.9 5.49
1971 6.84 5.57
1970 6.78 5.63
1969 6.72 5.72
1968 6.7 5.78
1967 6.68 5.85
1966 6.66 5.91
1965 6.63 5.89
1964 6.61 5.96
1963 6.59 6.01
1962 6.56 6.05
1961 6.53 6.08
1960 6.51 6.11

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

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

Ethiopia and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Ethiopia

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Ethiopia South Africa
2024 19.9 29.5
2023 19.7 29.2
2022 19.6 28.9
2021 19.4 28.6
2020 19.2 28.3
2019 19 27.9
2018 18.8 27.5
2017 18.6 27
2016 18.3 26.7
2015 18.1 26.4
2014 17.9 26
2013 17.6 25.7
2012 17.4 25.3
2011 17.1 25
2010 16.9 24.6
2009 16.7 24.3
2008 16.5 24
2007 16.4 23.8
2006 16.3 23.5
2005 16.2 23.3
2004 16.2 23.1
2003 16.1 22.8
2002 16.1 22.4
2001 16.1 22.2
2000 16.2 21.9
1999 16.2 21.6
1998 16.3 21.4
1997 16.4 21.2
1996 16.5 21.2
1995 16.6 21.5
1994 16.7 22
1993 16.8 21.9
1992 16.9 21.5
1991 16.9 21.5
1990 16.9 21.3
1989 16.9 21.1
1988 16.9 20.9
1987 16.9 20.7
1986 16.9 20.5
1985 16.9 20.4
1984 16.8 20.2
1983 16.7 20
1982 16.7 19.8
1981 16.8 19.6
1980 16.8 19.4
1979 16.9 19.3
1978 17 19.2
1977 17.1 19.1
1976 17.2 19
1975 17.3 18.9
1974 17.5 18.9
1973 17.6 18.8
1972 17.7 18.8
1971 17.9 18.8
1970 18.1 18.8
1969 18.3 18.8
1968 18.4 18.8
1967 18.5 18.8
1966 18.5 18.8
1965 18.6 18.8
1964 18.6 18.9
1963 18.6 18.9
1962 18.6 18.9
1961 18.6 19
1960 18.6 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x

National statistics comparison

Finance

Ethiopia South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.3%
2024
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.65%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
138,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-1.99%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
48.1
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
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
$3.78B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$7.14B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
518,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
29.6%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
48.8%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Ethiopia South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
378 kg
2022
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$7.53
2022
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
19.4 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.15 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
9.69%
2022
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
90.6%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
3.15%
2022
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
10.8%
2022
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
92.4 kWh
2022
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
95.4%
2020
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
96.7%
2022
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
55.4%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Ethiopia South Africa
% of world population
1.62%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
+24,054
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
23.6%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.1:49.9
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.54 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.16 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
38
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
56
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
8.63
2012
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
28.2
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
53
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
60.5%
2022
91.2%
2024
English speaking
0.22%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
16.7%
2021
75.7%
2023

Health

Ethiopia South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$34.8
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.1
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
68.1 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
26.9%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.14
2023
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.3 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
195
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
46.5
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
2.9%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.4%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
31
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
5.2%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
3.06 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Ethiopia South Africa
% of world land
0.76%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
3,299 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
148,483 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
65,056 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
74,671 mi
2018
466,028 mi
2016

In-depth comparisons

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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) (2000–2025, 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)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.