Ireland has a population of 5.4M (ranked 120/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Ireland's land area is 26,599 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 119th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Ireland ranks 25/197 ($609B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Ireland ranks 4/197 ($112,895), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
5518360
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 121/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$609B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 25/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$112,895
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 4/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$133,437
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$236B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
38.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$43,766
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 11/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$47,851
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 26,599 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
207 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.5
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
39.7 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
82.9 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Ireland and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Ireland and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $609,157,459,747 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $567,372,737,459 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $548,341,794,599 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $530,394,123,830 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $436,009,027,819 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $407,211,793,801 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $395,780,319,817 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $348,355,212,569 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $305,431,252,709 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $302,101,388,556 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $266,490,442,124 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $242,924,245,719 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $226,921,827,888 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $240,975,871,047 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $221,732,824,603 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $236,443,115,854 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $275,447,471,451 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $270,079,279,420 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $232,180,617,162 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $211,876,989,656 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $194,372,115,041 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $164,670,771,260 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $128,596,035,288 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $109,346,669,230 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $100,207,610,430 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $98,893,958,263 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $90,199,410,116 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $82,856,648,758 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $75,790,786,290 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $69,139,823,232 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $57,097,656,066 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $52,417,477,614 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $55,918,538,121 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $49,787,501,584 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $49,305,632,408 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $39,238,392,678 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $37,772,896,221 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $33,920,518,493 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $28,714,571,852 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $21,270,013,326 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $20,106,648,455 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $20,766,047,764 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $21,474,752,962 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $20,670,190,138 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $21,747,855,640 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $18,319,334,300 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $14,647,996,074 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $11,248,340,431 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $9,453,756,015 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $9,483,808,362 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $7,896,860,615 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $7,481,173,066 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $6,318,060,582 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $5,098,250,287 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $4,395,995,086 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $3,902,721,632 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $3,378,701,147 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $3,445,739,915 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $3,198,820,904 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $3,035,655,794 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $2,851,091,646 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $2,505,073,358 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $2,329,372,972 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $2,151,772,980 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $1,998,550,222 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY 
Ireland and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $112,895 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $106,819 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $105,191 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $103,783 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $86,514 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $81,828 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $80,804 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $72,161 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $64,130 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $64,250 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $57,215 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $52,538 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $49,336 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $52,614 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $48,624 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $52,133 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $61,353 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $61,396 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $54,329 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $50,933 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $47,754 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $41,204 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $32,705 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $28,282 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $26,335 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $26,338 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $24,295 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $22,551 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $20,836 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $19,158 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $15,903 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $14,657 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $15,714 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $14,087 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $14,031 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $11,176 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $10,716 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $9,582 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $8,112 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $6,012 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $5,692 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $5,915 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $6,161 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $5,986 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $6,372 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $5,430 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $4,400 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $3,427 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $2,920 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $2,973 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $2,517 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $2,424 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $2,080 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $1,704 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $1,487 | $952 |
| 1969 | $1,331 | $891 |
| 1968 | $1,159 | $817 |
| 1967 | $1,187 | $779 |
| 1966 | $1,107 | $722 |
| 1965 | $1,055 | $685 |
| 1964 | $995 | $646 |
| 1963 | $878 | $605 |
| 1962 | $821 | $563 |
| 1961 | $762 | $546 |
| 1960 | $707 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY
Ireland vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 82.9 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 82.7 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 82.6 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 82.4 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 82.1 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 81.9 | 62 |
| 2020 | 82.4 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 82.4 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 82.1 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 82.1 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 81.7 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 81.5 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 81.4 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 81.1 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 80.9 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 80.7 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 80.6 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 80.1 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 79.8 | 56 |
| 2007 | 79.6 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 79.2 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 78.9 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 78.5 | 54 |
| 2003 | 78.1 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 77.6 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 77.1 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 76.5 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 76.1 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 76.2 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 76 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 75.8 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 75.5 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 75.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 75.3 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 75.4 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 75 | 63 |
| 1990 | 74.8 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 74.5 | 63 |
| 1988 | 74.4 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 74.4 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 73.6 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 73.6 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 73.6 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 73.2 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 73.2 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 72.9 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 72.5 | 60 |
| 1979 | 72.2 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 71.9 | 59 |
| 1977 | 71.9 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 71.8 | 58 |
| 1975 | 71.7 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 71.1 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 71.2 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 71 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 71.6 | 56 |
| 1970 | 70.8 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 70.8 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 70.9 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 71.2 | 55 |
| 1966 | 70.2 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 70.6 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 70.4 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 70.2 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 69.9 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 69.6 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 70.2 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 69.4 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 69.3 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 69 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 69 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 68 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 68 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 67.9 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 67.2 | 45 |
| 1951 | 64.8 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 65.6 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY
Ireland and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 5,395,790 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 5,311,538 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 5,212,836 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 5,110,585 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 5,039,747 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 4,976,456 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 4,898,022 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 4,827,445 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 4,762,722 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 4,701,957 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 4,657,740 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 4,623,816 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 4,599,533 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 4,580,084 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 4,560,155 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 4,535,375 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 4,489,544 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 4,398,942 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 4,273,591 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 4,159,914 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 4,070,262 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 3,996,521 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 3,931,947 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 3,866,243 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 3,805,174 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 3,754,786 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 3,712,696 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 3,674,171 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 3,637,510 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 3,608,841 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 3,590,386 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 3,576,261 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 3,558,430 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 3,534,235 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 3,513,974 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 3,511,009 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 3,524,949 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 3,540,057 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 3,539,690 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 3,538,082 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 3,532,423 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 3,510,600 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 3,485,800 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 3,453,000 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 3,412,800 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 3,373,750 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 3,329,100 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 3,282,200 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 3,238,050 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 3,189,550 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 3,137,500 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 3,085,950 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 3,036,850 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 2,992,050 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 2,957,250 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 2,932,650 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 2,915,550 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 2,902,450 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 2,888,800 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 2,877,300 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 2,866,550 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 2,852,650 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 2,836,050 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 2,824,400 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 2,828,600 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Ireland and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 1.5 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 1.54 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 1.78 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 1.63 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 1.71 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 1.75 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 1.77 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 1.81 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 1.85 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 1.89 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 1.93 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 1.98 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 2.03 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 2.05 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 2.06 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 2.06 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 2.01 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 1.91 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 1.86 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 1.93 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 1.96 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 1.97 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 1.89 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 1.9 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 1.94 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 1.93 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 1.88 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 1.84 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 1.85 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 1.9 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 1.99 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 2.08 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 2.11 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 2.08 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 2.17 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 2.32 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 2.44 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 2.48 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 2.58 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 2.74 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 2.94 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 3.05 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 3.21 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 3.21 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 3.21 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 3.24 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 3.29 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 3.37 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 3.59 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 3.71 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 3.84 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 3.93 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 3.85 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 3.83 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 3.77 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 3.84 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 3.94 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 4.04 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 4.07 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 4.01 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 3.92 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 3.78 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 3.78 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY
Ireland and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 39.7 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 39.4 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 38.9 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 38.6 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 38.2 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 37.8 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 37.4 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 37.1 | 27 |
| 2016 | 36.8 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 36.4 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 36 | 26 |
| 2013 | 35.6 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 35.2 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 34.8 | 25 |
| 2010 | 34.3 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 33.9 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 33.5 | 24 |
| 2007 | 33.4 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 33.4 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 33.4 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 33.4 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 33.2 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 33 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 32.7 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 32.5 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 32.2 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 31.9 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 31.6 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 31.3 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 30.9 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 30.6 | 22 |
| 1993 | 30.2 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 29.9 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 29.6 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 29.2 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 28.8 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 28.4 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 27.9 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 27.6 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 27.3 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 27.1 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 26.9 | 20 |
| 1982 | 26.7 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 26.6 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 26.5 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 26.5 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 26.5 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 26.5 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 26.4 | 19 |
| 1975 | 26.5 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 26.5 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 26.7 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 26.9 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 27.1 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 27.4 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 27.6 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 27.8 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 28 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 28.2 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 28.6 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 28.9 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 29.2 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 29.5 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 29.8 | 19 |
| 1960 | 30.1 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ireland/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Ireland and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$435B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
22.3%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.9%
2021 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.24%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
9,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+4.09%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.27%
2024 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
60.6%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
33.6%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
83.3
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
24.1%
2023 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.7%
2023 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires |
11
2025 |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires |
0.0003%
2025 |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
43
2018 |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$110B
2018 |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$12.7B
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$656M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
10,951,000
2019 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
0.68%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
98.3%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
2,468 kg
2023 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$52.6
2023 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
32.6 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
6.04 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
82.4%
2023 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
12.7%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
8.94%
2023 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
85.8%
2023 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
6,145 kWh
2023 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
37.2%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
3.88%
2023 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.07%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+35,417
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
64.3%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.87 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.4 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
94.9
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
76
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
88
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
0.65
2023 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
3.1
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
172
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
99%
2003 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
98.4%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
96.5%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$7,395
2024 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$784
2024 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
82.9 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.88
2023 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
31.6 years
2023 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
4
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
3.8
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
29.3%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
3.6%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
87
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
19.3%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
10.8 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Ireland
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.05%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
4,930 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
16,174 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
3,066 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
62,031 mi
2018 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
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.