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Maldives vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Maldives has a population of 528K (ranked 168/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Maldives' land area is 115.1 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 188th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Maldives ranks 159/197 ($7.06B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Maldives ranks 75/197 ($13,379), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Maldives South Africa
Population
532057
65683993
Population rank 168/197 24/197
GDP
$7.06B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 159/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$13,379
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 75/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,183
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$9.41B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.3%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,837
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 35/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,909
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 115.1 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
4,620 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.58
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
32.9 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
81.7 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Maldives and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Maldives and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Maldives South Africa
2024 $7,061,608,267 $401,144,998,374
2023 $6,621,008,704 $381,440,724,491
2022 $6,177,123,352 $407,596,043,068
2021 $5,252,457,370 $419,986,284,375
2020 $3,712,604,583 $337,974,655,408
2019 $5,726,094,799 $389,330,032,224
2018 $5,404,344,163 $405,260,723,893
2017 $4,816,426,257 $381,448,814,653
2016 $4,409,942,624 $323,585,509,674
2015 $4,129,505,319 $346,709,790,459
2014 $3,697,353,039 $381,198,869,776
2013 $3,295,009,238 $400,886,013,596
2012 $2,886,163,997 $434,400,545,086
2011 $2,774,350,240 $458,199,494,831
2010 $2,588,176,055 $417,363,822,802
2009 $2,345,294,875 $329,754,060,647
2008 $2,271,646,188 $316,131,258,616
2007 $1,868,383,461 $333,077,117,254
2006 $1,575,200,391 $303,858,675,364
2005 $1,163,362,438 $288,867,217,197
2004 $1,226,829,563 $255,806,908,595
2003 $1,052,121,055 $197,018,965,309
2002 $897,031,250 $129,087,556,612
2001 $870,031,677 $135,429,905,923
2000 $624,337,145 $151,752,757,215
1999 $589,239,754 $151,516,957,079
1998 $540,096,398 $152,982,984,557
1997 $508,223,602 $168,978,057,328
1996 $450,382,328 $163,234,925,381
1995 $398,988,955 $171,735,933,897
1994 $356,014,932 $153,512,712,382
1993 $322,417,837 $147,194,747,566
1992 $284,875,809 $146,956,150,987
1991 $244,396,762 $135,203,698,238
1990 $215,043,970 $126,048,140,142
1989 $189,514,434 $108,055,624,082
1988 $168,514,513 $103,976,831,871
1987 $141,223,029 $96,535,763,418
1986 $141,882,254 $73,354,771,399
1985 $127,190,758 $64,459,376,087
1984 $109,503,546 $84,870,163,366
1983 $57,829,787 $96,204,110,942
1982 $47,911,340 $85,904,057,409
1981 $44,781,457 $93,141,472,164
1980 $42,463,576 $89,411,864,402
1979 $38,523,364 $63,038,658,089
1978 $24,369,109 $51,607,412,902
1977 $20,853,789 $45,328,411,332
1976 $22,399,467 $41,150,460,288
1975 $24,540,878 $42,906,905,672
1974 $39,120,171 $41,389,186,095
1973 $30,862,042 $33,262,772,008
1972 $25,177,138 $24,515,919,217
1971 $21,566,404 $23,411,076,638
1970 $19,328,038 $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/maldives/south-africa | CC BY

Maldives and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Maldives South Africa
2024 $13,379 $6,267
2023 $12,588 $6,034
2022 $11,786 $6,534
2021 $10,176 $6,829
2020 $7,394 $5,581
2019 $11,740 $6,534
2018 $11,423 $6,914
2017 $10,510 $6,618
2016 $9,948 $5,651
2015 $9,645 $6,112
2014 $8,939 $6,857
2013 $8,236 $7,332
2012 $7,461 $8,077
2011 $7,425 $8,646
2010 $7,174 $7,973
2009 $6,734 $6,375
2008 $6,757 $6,185
2007 $5,758 $6,592
2006 $5,019 $6,077
2005 $3,797 $5,837
2004 $4,070 $5,221
2003 $3,549 $4,062
2002 $3,076 $2,688
2001 $3,034 $2,847
2000 $2,214 $3,218
1999 $2,124 $3,242
1998 $1,980 $3,310
1997 $1,898 $3,700
1996 $1,717 $3,618
1995 $1,555 $3,856
1994 $1,419 $3,489
1993 $1,317 $3,400
1992 $1,194 $3,462
1991 $1,054 $3,243
1990 $957 $3,093
1989 $870 $2,727
1988 $799 $2,702
1987 $692 $2,586
1986 $720 $2,027
1985 $669 $1,839
1984 $594 $2,504
1983 $323 $2,938
1982 $274.8 $2,717
1981 $264.1 $3,050
1980 $257.6 $3,029
1979 $240.2 $2,202
1978 $156.1 $1,852
1977 $137.3 $1,671
1976 $151.8 $1,559
1975 $171.4 $1,670
1974 $281.5 $1,656
1973 $228.7 $1,369
1972 $192.2 $1,038
1971 $169.8 $1,020
1970 $156.9 $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/maldives/south-africa | CC BY

Maldives vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Maldives South Africa
2026 81.7 66.7
2025 81.5 66.5
2024 81.3 66.3
2023 81 66.1
2022 80.8 65.5
2021 78.1 62
2020 78.7 65.2
2019 79.7 66.1
2018 79.4 65.7
2017 79.2 65.4
2016 78.9 64.7
2015 78.6 64.1
2014 78.2 63.2
2013 77.8 62.4
2012 77.5 61.7
2011 77.1 60.6
2010 76.8 58.9
2009 76.4 57.4
2008 76 56
2007 75.7 54.9
2006 75.3 54.2
2005 74.8 53.9
2004 73 54
2003 73.3 54.2
2002 72.4 55.6
2001 71.7 57.2
2000 70.9 58.4
1999 70.2 59.2
1998 69.3 59.9
1997 68.5 60.5
1996 67.7 61.1
1995 67 61.6
1994 66.2 62.1
1993 65.4 62.6
1992 64.7 62.8
1991 63.9 63
1990 63.1 62.9
1989 62.4 63
1988 61.6 62.9
1987 60.8 62.7
1986 60 62.4
1985 59.2 62.2
1984 58.3 61.8
1983 57.5 61.4
1982 56.6 60.9
1981 55.7 60.4
1980 54.8 60
1979 53.9 59.5
1978 50.4 59
1977 51.8 58.5
1976 50.8 58
1975 49.6 57.6
1974 48.5 57.1
1973 47.5 56.7
1972 46.4 56.4
1971 45.5 56
1970 44.5 55.7
1969 43.7 55.4
1968 42.9 55.2
1967 42.1 55
1966 41.4 54.7
1965 40.8 54.4
1964 40.2 54.2
1963 39.6 53.9
1962 39.1 53.6
1961 38.6 53.1
1960 38.2 52.6
1959 37.9 51.9
1958 37.6 51.1
1957 37.3 50.2
1956 37.1 49.2
1955 37 48.2
1954 36.9 47.1
1953 36.9 46.1
1952 37 45
1951 37.1 44.1
1950 36.5 43.1

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

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

Maldives and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Maldives South Africa
2024 527,799 64,007,187
2023 525,994 63,212,384
2022 524,106 62,378,410
2021 516,154 61,502,603
2020 502,118 60,562,381
2019 487,731 59,587,885
2018 473,099 58,613,001
2017 458,287 57,635,162
2016 443,308 57,259,551
2015 428,154 56,723,537
2014 413,617 55,594,838
2013 400,070 54,678,791
2012 386,818 53,782,567
2011 373,674 52,995,205
2010 360,792 52,344,051
2009 348,275 51,728,516
2008 336,170 51,114,599
2007 324,479 50,528,584
2006 313,851 49,998,277
2005 306,429 49,490,033
2004 301,413 48,991,421
2003 296,491 48,500,348
2002 291,616 48,019,415
2001 286,767 47,566,800
2000 282,019 47,159,719
1999 277,412 46,730,335
1998 272,723 46,223,880
1997 267,707 45,666,838
1996 262,347 45,123,018
1995 256,649 44,541,554
1994 250,822 44,004,139
1993 244,884 43,297,156
1992 238,543 42,443,509
1991 231,802 41,687,898
1990 224,762 40,746,268
1989 217,738 39,628,575
1988 210,885 38,480,649
1987 203,944 37,326,190
1986 196,935 36,180,515
1985 190,169 35,042,093
1984 184,198 33,892,788
1983 179,128 32,739,304
1982 174,333 31,615,339
1981 169,532 30,541,044
1980 164,835 29,518,857
1979 160,360 28,634,162
1978 156,159 27,869,507
1977 151,930 27,118,952
1976 147,525 26,395,450
1975 143,158 25,690,940
1974 138,978 24,989,108
1973 134,952 24,294,263
1972 130,968 23,609,456
1971 127,035 22,942,143
1970 123,219 22,279,984
1969 119,564 21,614,676
1968 116,075 20,957,287
1967 112,528 20,314,066
1966 108,507 19,690,087
1965 104,102 19,089,380
1964 100,662 18,511,361
1963 98,222 17,954,564
1962 95,802 17,418,522
1961 93,450 16,908,035
1960 91,189 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Maldives and South Africa

Fertility rate
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Maldives South Africa
2023 1.58 2.22
2022 1.58 2.23
2021 1.6 2.25
2020 1.61 2.26
2019 1.64 2.26
2018 1.71 2.27
2017 1.8 2.28
2016 1.9 2.26
2015 2 2.36
2014 2.09 2.42
2013 2.17 2.43
2012 2.25 2.45
2011 2.31 2.44
2010 2.35 2.44
2009 2.39 2.5
2008 2.37 2.68
2007 2.29 2.55
2006 2.2 2.55
2005 2.2 2.51
2004 2.26 2.44
2003 2.34 2.36
2002 2.42 2.32
2001 2.53 2.37
2000 2.69 2.41
1999 2.9 2.56
1998 3.17 2.63
1997 3.48 2.73
1996 3.86 2.99
1995 4.29 3.17
1994 4.69 3.26
1993 5.06 3.37
1992 5.44 3.48
1991 5.8 3.62
1990 6.13 3.72
1989 6.39 3.98
1988 6.58 4.18
1987 6.73 4.35
1986 6.85 4.41
1985 6.94 4.5
1984 7.03 4.57
1983 7.09 4.63
1982 7.15 4.7
1981 7.19 4.71
1980 7.23 4.78
1979 7.23 4.82
1978 7.23 4.85
1977 7.27 4.94
1976 7.29 5.07
1975 7.32 5.19
1974 7.38 5.3
1973 7.4 5.41
1972 7.37 5.49
1971 7.38 5.57
1970 7.39 5.63
1969 7.33 5.72
1968 7.28 5.78
1967 7.23 5.85
1966 7.15 5.91
1965 7.07 5.89
1964 7 5.96
1963 6.94 6.01
1962 6.89 6.05
1961 6.79 6.08
1960 6.71 6.11

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

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

Maldives and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Maldives

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Maldives South Africa
2024 32.9 29.5
2023 32.1 29.2
2022 31.4 28.9
2021 30.7 28.6
2020 30.1 28.3
2019 29.5 27.9
2018 29 27.5
2017 28.5 27
2016 28 26.7
2015 27.6 26.4
2014 27.1 26
2013 26.5 25.7
2012 25.8 25.3
2011 25.1 25
2010 24.4 24.6
2009 23.8 24.3
2008 23.2 24
2007 22.7 23.8
2006 22.1 23.5
2005 21.5 23.3
2004 20.9 23.1
2003 20.3 22.8
2002 19.8 22.4
2001 19.3 22.2
2000 18.9 21.9
1999 18.4 21.6
1998 18 21.4
1997 17.6 21.2
1996 17.3 21.2
1995 16.9 21.5
1994 16.7 22
1993 16.5 21.9
1992 16.4 21.5
1991 16.4 21.5
1990 16.4 21.3
1989 16.5 21.1
1988 16.6 20.9
1987 16.7 20.7
1986 16.9 20.5
1985 17 20.4
1984 17 20.2
1983 16.9 20
1982 16.9 19.8
1981 16.8 19.6
1980 16.8 19.4
1979 16.9 19.3
1978 17 19.2
1977 17 19.1
1976 17 19
1975 17.1 18.9
1974 17.2 18.9
1973 17.2 18.8
1972 17.2 18.8
1971 17.3 18.8
1970 17.4 18.8
1969 17.6 18.8
1968 17.8 18.8
1967 18.2 18.8
1966 18.9 18.8
1965 19.9 18.8
1964 20.5 18.9
1963 20.6 18.9
1962 20.6 18.9
1961 20.6 19
1960 20.6 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Maldives South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$6.15B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.17%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
5,000
2000
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-13.9%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.56%
2019
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.2%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
47.6
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.3%
2019
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2019
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
$674M
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$5.65M
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
555,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
78.9%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
79.5%
2017
81.1%
2024

Energy

Maldives South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
921 kg
2007
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$13.9
2007
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1.88 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
3.57 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
1.2%
2022
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
5.82%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Maldives South Africa
% of world population
0.006%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,283
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
42%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
61.9:38.1
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.06 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
61.7
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
39
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
5
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.6
2019
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
1.6
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
102
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
97.9%
2021
91.2%
2024
English speaking
70%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
84.7%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Maldives South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$1,159
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$209.2
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
81.7 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
1.55%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
2.24
2019
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
23.2 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
32
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
5.7
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
17.9%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
9.5%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
62
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
26.3%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
1.49 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Maldives South Africa
% of world land
0.0002%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
218 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
22.8 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
3.17 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
57.8 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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