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Kenya vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a population of 56.4M (ranked 26/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Kenya's land area is 224,278 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 45th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Kenya ranks 64/197 ($120B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Kenya ranks 154/197 ($2,132), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Kenya South Africa
Population
58955623
65683993
Population rank 25/197 24/197
GDP
$120B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 64/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 154/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 133/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 224,278 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
261.5 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.21
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
20.8 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
64.2 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Kenya and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Kenya and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Kenya South Africa
2024 $120,339,557,906 $401,144,998,374
2023 $107,500,884,685 $381,440,724,491
2022 $114,448,978,153 $407,596,043,068
2021 $109,703,658,905 $419,986,284,375
2020 $100,657,505,751 $337,974,655,408
2019 $100,378,436,207 $389,330,032,224
2018 $92,202,979,985 $405,260,723,893
2017 $82,036,510,877 $381,448,814,653
2016 $74,815,144,164 $323,585,509,674
2015 $70,120,446,897 $346,709,790,459
2014 $68,285,796,514 $381,198,869,776
2013 $61,671,440,408 $400,886,013,596
2012 $56,396,704,672 $434,400,545,086
2011 $46,869,473,151 $458,199,494,831
2010 $45,405,615,064 $417,363,822,802
2009 $42,347,217,913 $329,754,060,647
2008 $35,895,153,328 $316,131,258,616
2007 $31,958,195,182 $333,077,117,254
2006 $25,825,512,284 $303,858,675,364
2005 $18,737,895,513 $288,867,217,197
2004 $16,095,337,094 $255,806,908,595
2003 $14,904,517,650 $197,018,965,309
2002 $13,147,736,899 $129,087,556,612
2001 $12,986,007,426 $135,429,905,923
2000 $12,705,350,098 $151,752,757,215
1999 $12,896,010,459 $151,516,957,079
1998 $14,093,998,844 $152,982,984,557
1997 $13,115,764,358 $168,978,057,328
1996 $12,045,865,396 $163,234,925,381
1995 $9,046,320,255 $171,735,933,897
1994 $7,148,148,564 $153,512,712,382
1993 $5,751,786,643 $147,194,747,566
1992 $8,209,120,763 $146,956,150,987
1991 $8,151,488,783 $135,203,698,238
1990 $8,572,359,038 $126,048,140,142
1989 $8,283,114,514 $108,055,624,082
1988 $8,355,380,879 $103,976,831,871
1987 $7,970,820,369 $96,535,763,418
1986 $7,239,126,568 $73,354,771,399
1985 $6,135,034,214 $64,459,376,087
1984 $6,191,437,070 $84,870,163,366
1983 $5,979,198,314 $96,204,110,942
1982 $6,431,579,357 $85,904,057,409
1981 $6,854,491,706 $93,141,472,164
1980 $7,265,315,820 $89,411,864,402
1979 $6,234,391,113 $63,038,658,089
1978 $5,303,735,111 $51,607,412,902
1977 $4,494,378,764 $45,328,411,332
1976 $3,474,542,392 $41,150,460,288
1975 $3,259,345,083 $42,906,905,672
1974 $2,969,958,812 $41,389,186,095
1973 $2,509,001,324 $33,262,772,008
1972 $2,107,279,157 $24,515,919,217
1971 $1,778,391,289 $23,411,076,638
1970 $1,603,447,359 $21,218,391,513
1969 $1,458,379,417 $19,256,992,297
1968 $1,353,295,459 $17,124,793,150
1967 $1,232,559,507 $15,821,393,671
1966 $1,164,519,674 $14,211,394,315
1965 $997,919,321 $13,068,994,772
1964 $998,759,334 $11,955,995,218
1963 $926,589,349 $10,854,195,658
1962 $868,111,401 $9,813,996,074
1961 $792,959,473 $9,225,996,310
1960 $791,265,459 $8,748,596,501

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

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

Kenya and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Kenya South Africa
2024 $2,132 $6,267
2023 $1,943 $6,034
2022 $2,110 $6,534
2021 $2,061 $6,829
2020 $1,928 $5,581
2019 $1,960 $6,534
2018 $1,836 $6,914
2017 $1,667 $6,618
2016 $1,554 $5,651
2015 $1,489 $6,112
2014 $1,483 $6,857
2013 $1,371 $7,332
2012 $1,285 $8,077
2011 $1,096 $8,646
2010 $1,092 $7,973
2009 $1,048 $6,375
2008 $916 $6,185
2007 $840 $6,592
2006 $700 $6,077
2005 $523 $5,837
2004 $464 $5,221
2003 $443 $4,062
2002 $403 $2,688
2001 $411 $2,847
2000 $415 $3,218
1999 $434 $3,242
1998 $488 $3,310
1997 $467 $3,700
1996 $441 $3,618
1995 $340 $3,856
1994 $276.4 $3,489
1993 $229 $3,400
1992 $337 $3,462
1991 $345 $3,243
1990 $374 $3,093
1989 $374 $2,727
1988 $391 $2,702
1987 $387 $2,586
1986 $364 $2,027
1985 $320 $1,839
1984 $334 $2,504
1983 $335 $2,938
1982 $374 $2,717
1981 $413 $3,050
1980 $454 $3,029
1979 $403 $2,202
1978 $355 $1,852
1977 $311 $1,671
1976 $248.9 $1,559
1975 $241.2 $1,670
1974 $227.2 $1,656
1973 $198.6 $1,369
1972 $172.6 $1,038
1971 $150.9 $1,020
1970 $141 $952
1969 $133.3 $891
1968 $128.7 $817
1967 $121.9 $779
1966 $119.8 $722
1965 $106.9 $685
1964 $111.3 $646
1963 $107.4 $605
1962 $104.6 $563
1961 $99.3 $546
1960 $102.8 $532

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

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

Kenya vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Kenya South Africa
2026 64.2 66.7
2025 64 66.5
2024 63.8 66.3
2023 63.6 66.1
2022 63.5 65.5
2021 61.2 62
2020 61.6 65.2
2019 62.9 66.1
2018 62.8 65.7
2017 62.7 65.4
2016 62.5 64.7
2015 62.3 64.1
2014 62 63.2
2013 61.7 62.4
2012 61.5 61.7
2011 61.3 60.6
2010 60.9 58.9
2009 60.5 57.4
2008 60 56
2007 59.4 54.9
2006 59.1 54.2
2005 58.5 53.9
2004 57.9 54
2003 57.4 54.2
2002 56.8 55.6
2001 56.5 57.2
2000 56.1 58.4
1999 55.9 59.2
1998 55.6 59.9
1997 55.5 60.5
1996 55.6 61.1
1995 55.9 61.6
1994 56.1 62.1
1993 56.7 62.6
1992 57.1 62.8
1991 57.8 63
1990 58.3 62.9
1989 60 63
1988 60.3 62.9
1987 60.7 62.7
1986 60.8 62.4
1985 60.9 62.2
1984 60.6 61.8
1983 60.3 61.4
1982 59.9 60.9
1981 59.6 60.4
1980 59.2 60
1979 58.7 59.5
1978 58.2 59
1977 57.7 58.5
1976 57.2 58
1975 56.6 57.6
1974 56 57.1
1973 55.5 56.7
1972 55 56.4
1971 54.5 56
1970 54.1 55.7
1969 53.7 55.4
1968 53.3 55.2
1967 52.8 55
1966 52.4 54.7
1965 51.9 54.4
1964 51.3 54.2
1963 50.8 53.9
1962 50.1 53.6
1961 49.3 53.1
1960 48.5 52.6
1959 47.5 51.9
1958 46.5 51.1
1957 45.3 50.2
1956 43.5 49.2
1955 42.3 48.2
1954 41 47.1
1953 39.8 46.1
1952 38.6 45
1951 38 44.1
1950 36.9 43.1

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

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

Kenya and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Kenya South Africa
2024 56,432,944 64,007,187
2023 55,339,003 63,212,384
2022 54,252,461 62,378,410
2021 53,219,166 61,502,603
2020 52,217,334 60,562,381
2019 51,202,827 59,587,885
2018 50,207,107 58,613,001
2017 49,197,766 57,635,162
2016 48,139,687 57,259,551
2015 47,088,526 56,723,537
2014 46,051,440 55,594,838
2013 44,986,791 54,678,791
2012 43,888,303 53,782,567
2011 42,758,461 52,995,205
2010 41,598,567 52,344,051
2009 40,408,891 51,728,516
2008 39,206,351 51,114,599
2007 38,036,349 50,528,584
2006 36,904,008 49,998,277
2005 35,796,484 49,490,033
2004 34,713,455 48,991,421
2003 33,652,223 48,500,348
2002 32,629,808 48,019,415
2001 31,619,170 47,566,800
2000 30,642,890 47,159,719
1999 29,733,408 46,730,335
1998 28,888,057 46,223,880
1997 28,101,768 45,666,838
1996 27,344,211 45,123,018
1995 26,601,751 44,541,554
1994 25,857,130 44,004,139
1993 25,117,188 43,297,156
1992 24,382,460 42,443,509
1991 23,646,514 41,687,898
1990 22,892,651 40,746,268
1989 22,118,434 39,628,575
1988 21,356,219 38,480,649
1987 20,616,096 37,326,190
1986 19,901,646 36,180,515
1985 19,201,768 35,042,093
1984 18,514,906 33,892,788
1983 17,846,374 32,739,304
1982 17,206,175 31,615,339
1981 16,601,507 30,541,044
1980 16,018,459 29,518,857
1979 15,460,666 28,634,162
1978 14,934,126 27,869,507
1977 14,428,819 27,118,952
1976 13,957,623 26,395,450
1975 13,511,671 25,690,940
1974 13,070,078 24,989,108
1973 12,634,835 24,294,263
1972 12,206,060 23,609,456
1971 11,788,904 22,942,143
1970 11,368,791 22,279,984
1969 10,939,695 21,614,676
1968 10,518,823 20,957,287
1967 10,111,057 20,314,066
1966 9,717,816 19,690,087
1965 9,338,078 19,089,380
1964 8,973,535 18,511,361
1963 8,627,971 17,954,564
1962 8,299,308 17,418,522
1961 7,987,770 16,908,035
1960 7,695,307 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Kenya and South Africa

Fertility rate
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Kenya South Africa
2023 3.21 2.22
2022 3.26 2.23
2021 3.31 2.25
2020 3.36 2.26
2019 3.43 2.26
2018 3.54 2.27
2017 3.61 2.28
2016 3.69 2.26
2015 3.77 2.36
2014 3.84 2.42
2013 3.96 2.43
2012 4.12 2.45
2011 4.28 2.44
2010 4.45 2.44
2009 4.57 2.5
2008 4.66 2.68
2007 4.72 2.55
2006 4.75 2.55
2005 4.8 2.51
2004 4.86 2.44
2003 4.94 2.36
2002 5.03 2.32
2001 5.09 2.37
2000 5.14 2.41
1999 5.18 2.56
1998 5.24 2.63
1997 5.27 2.73
1996 5.31 2.99
1995 5.37 3.17
1994 5.44 3.26
1993 5.57 3.37
1992 5.74 3.48
1991 5.94 3.62
1990 6.14 3.72
1989 6.33 3.98
1988 6.52 4.18
1987 6.69 4.35
1986 6.84 4.41
1985 6.96 4.5
1984 7.08 4.57
1983 7.22 4.63
1982 7.35 4.7
1981 7.45 4.71
1980 7.53 4.78
1979 7.6 4.82
1978 7.67 4.85
1977 7.73 4.94
1976 7.77 5.07
1975 7.8 5.19
1974 7.82 5.3
1973 7.86 5.41
1972 7.89 5.49
1971 7.92 5.57
1970 7.94 5.63
1969 7.95 5.72
1968 7.95 5.78
1967 7.95 5.85
1966 7.96 5.91
1965 7.92 5.89
1964 7.87 5.96
1963 7.82 6.01
1962 7.77 6.05
1961 7.72 6.08
1960 7.65 6.11

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

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

Kenya and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Kenya

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Kenya South Africa
2024 20.8 29.5
2023 20.6 29.2
2022 20.3 28.9
2021 20 28.6
2020 19.8 28.3
2019 19.6 27.9
2018 19.3 27.5
2017 19.1 27
2016 18.9 26.7
2015 18.7 26.4
2014 18.5 26
2013 18.4 25.7
2012 18.2 25.3
2011 18.1 25
2010 17.9 24.6
2009 17.8 24.3
2008 17.7 24
2007 17.6 23.8
2006 17.5 23.5
2005 17.4 23.3
2004 17.3 23.1
2003 17.1 22.8
2002 17 22.4
2001 16.8 22.2
2000 16.7 21.9
1999 16.5 21.6
1998 16.4 21.4
1997 16.2 21.2
1996 16.1 21.2
1995 16 21.5
1994 15.9 22
1993 15.7 21.9
1992 15.6 21.5
1991 15.5 21.5
1990 15.3 21.3
1989 15.2 21.1
1988 15.1 20.9
1987 15 20.7
1986 15 20.5
1985 14.9 20.4
1984 14.8 20.2
1983 14.7 20
1982 14.6 19.8
1981 14.5 19.6
1980 14.5 19.4
1979 14.4 19.3
1978 14.3 19.2
1977 14.3 19.1
1976 14.3 19
1975 14.3 18.9
1974 14.3 18.9
1973 14.3 18.8
1972 14.3 18.8
1971 14.4 18.8
1970 14.4 18.8
1969 14.5 18.8
1968 14.5 18.8
1967 14.6 18.8
1966 14.8 18.8
1965 14.9 18.8
1964 15.1 18.9
1963 15.2 18.9
1962 15.3 18.9
1961 15.5 19
1960 15.7 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Kenya South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.02%
2024
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
24,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-5.77%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
55.5
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
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
59
2024
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$5B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
2,049,000
2019
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
15.4%
2019
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
90.1%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Kenya South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
545 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$11.6
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
21.6 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.38 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
19.8%
2023
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
67.7%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
18.7%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
22.4%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
190.1 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.1%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
21%
2023
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
76.2%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Kenya South Africa
% of world population
0.69%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-27,330
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
31.9%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.7:50.3
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.59 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.23 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
40.1
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
30
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
64
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.89
2022
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
28.3
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
77
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
82.9%
2022
91.2%
2024
English speaking
78.7%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
35%
2024
75.7%
2023

Health

Kenya South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$85
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.6
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
64.2 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
20.1%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.29
2023
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.3 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
149
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.9
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
12.9%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
3.1%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
53
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
10.7%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.47 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Kenya South Africa
% of world land
0.39%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
3,974 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
111,076 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
13,942 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
110,480 mi
2018
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) (2000–2025, 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)

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