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Mali vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Mali has a population of 24.5M (ranked 58/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Mali's land area is 471,118 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 23rd vs. 24th).

By GDP, Mali ranks 113/197 ($26.8B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Mali ranks 173/197 ($1,095), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Mali South Africa
Population
26143152
65683993
Population rank 58/197 24/197
GDP
$26.8B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 113/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$1,095
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 173/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,315
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$13.9B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.7%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$566
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 161/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,463
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 471,118 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
55.1 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
5.61
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
16.7 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
61.1 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Mali and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Mali and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Mali South Africa
2024 $26,794,747,240 $401,144,998,374
2023 $24,813,860,599 $381,440,724,491
2022 $22,539,987,719 $407,596,043,068
2021 $22,999,245,263 $419,986,284,375
2020 $20,698,560,939 $337,974,655,408
2019 $20,477,421,885 $389,330,032,224
2018 $20,368,015,381 $405,260,723,893
2017 $18,308,362,040 $381,448,814,653
2016 $16,743,796,800 $323,585,509,674
2015 $15,583,181,170 $346,709,790,459
2014 $17,081,681,993 $381,198,869,776
2013 $15,747,192,681 $400,886,013,596
2012 $14,795,114,603 $434,400,545,086
2011 $15,452,791,789 $458,199,494,831
2010 $12,710,739,159 $417,363,822,802
2009 $12,155,217,833 $329,754,060,647
2008 $11,462,490,840 $316,131,258,616
2007 $9,699,047,443 $333,077,117,254
2006 $8,212,007,554 $303,858,675,364
2005 $7,429,066,951 $288,867,217,197
2004 $6,485,774,930 $255,806,908,595
2003 $5,605,613,011 $197,018,965,309
2002 $4,647,238,257 $129,087,556,612
2001 $4,124,281,594 $135,429,905,923
2000 $3,521,570,876 $151,752,757,215
1999 $4,091,446,054 $151,516,957,079
1998 $3,894,433,432 $152,982,984,557
1997 $3,414,879,486 $168,978,057,328
1996 $3,743,103,420 $163,234,925,381
1995 $3,373,322,735 $171,735,933,897
1994 $2,655,768,636 $153,512,712,382
1993 $3,632,801,877 $147,194,747,566
1992 $3,680,775,037 $146,956,150,987
1991 $3,576,562,682 $135,203,698,238
1990 $3,248,417,791 $126,048,140,142
1989 $2,824,822,489 $108,055,624,082
1988 $2,712,207,901 $103,976,831,871
1987 $2,437,004,680 $96,535,763,418
1986 $2,132,938,007 $73,354,771,399
1985 $1,594,347,021 $64,459,376,087
1984 $1,387,809,615 $84,870,163,366
1983 $1,496,616,127 $96,204,110,942
1982 $1,680,304,773 $85,904,057,409
1981 $2,234,583,940 $93,141,472,164
1980 $2,704,362,789 $89,411,864,402
1979 $1,595,422,956 $63,038,658,089
1978 $1,222,702,573 $51,607,412,902
1977 $1,049,838,548 $45,328,411,332
1976 $939,228,017 $41,150,460,288
1975 $830,710,615 $42,906,905,672
1974 $538,747,340 $41,389,186,095
1973 $563,683,703 $33,262,772,008
1972 $486,617,280 $24,515,919,217
1971 $395,218,629 $23,411,076,638
1970 $359,772,315 $21,218,391,513
1969 $339,913,867 $19,256,992,297
1968 $343,771,973 $17,124,793,150
1967 $275,494,478 $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/mali/south-africa | CC BY

Mali and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Mali South Africa
2024 $1,095 $6,267
2023 $1,044 $6,034
2022 $977 $6,534
2021 $1,027 $6,829
2020 $953 $5,581
2019 $972 $6,534
2018 $996 $6,914
2017 $924 $6,618
2016 $872 $5,651
2015 $838 $6,112
2014 $948 $6,857
2013 $902 $7,332
2012 $873 $8,077
2011 $938 $8,646
2010 $797 $7,973
2009 $787 $6,375
2008 $767 $6,185
2007 $671 $6,592
2006 $587 $6,077
2005 $549 $5,837
2004 $495 $5,221
2003 $442 $4,062
2002 $378 $2,688
2001 $346 $2,847
2000 $305 $3,218
1999 $364 $3,242
1998 $357 $3,310
1997 $321 $3,700
1996 $360 $3,618
1995 $331 $3,856
1994 $266.5 $3,489
1993 $372 $3,400
1992 $385 $3,462
1991 $382 $3,243
1990 $354 $3,093
1989 $314 $2,727
1988 $307 $2,702
1987 $280.7 $2,586
1986 $250 $2,027
1985 $190.4 $1,839
1984 $169.1 $2,504
1983 $186.3 $2,938
1982 $213.8 $2,717
1981 $290.5 $3,050
1980 $359 $3,029
1979 $216.3 $2,202
1978 $169.1 $1,852
1977 $148.1 $1,671
1976 $134.9 $1,559
1975 $121.5 $1,670
1974 $80.2 $1,656
1973 $85.4 $1,369
1972 $75.1 $1,038
1971 $62 $1,020
1970 $57.3 $952
1969 $55 $891
1968 $56.5 $817
1967 $46 $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/mali/south-africa | CC BY

Mali vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Mali South Africa
2026 61.1 66.7
2025 60.9 66.5
2024 60.7 66.3
2023 60.4 66.1
2022 60 65.5
2021 59.1 62
2020 58.9 65.2
2019 59.2 66.1
2018 58.9 65.7
2017 58.6 65.4
2016 58.3 64.7
2015 57.9 64.1
2014 57.5 63.2
2013 57.1 62.4
2012 56.7 61.7
2011 56.4 60.6
2010 56 58.9
2009 55.6 57.4
2008 55.2 56
2007 54.8 54.9
2006 54.3 54.2
2005 53.8 53.9
2004 53.3 54
2003 52.6 54.2
2002 52 55.6
2001 51.3 57.2
2000 50.6 58.4
1999 50.1 59.2
1998 49.6 59.9
1997 49.1 60.5
1996 48.5 61.1
1995 48.3 61.6
1994 47.9 62.1
1993 47.6 62.6
1992 47.2 62.8
1991 46.9 63
1990 46.5 62.9
1989 46.2 63
1988 45.7 62.9
1987 45.2 62.7
1986 44.6 62.4
1985 43.9 62.2
1984 43.4 61.8
1983 42.7 61.4
1982 41.8 60.9
1981 41 60.4
1980 40.3 60
1979 39.5 59.5
1978 38.8 59
1977 38 58.5
1976 37.2 58
1975 36.5 57.6
1974 35.7 57.1
1973 35.1 56.7
1972 34.5 56.4
1971 33.8 56
1970 33.4 55.7
1969 32.9 55.4
1968 32.6 55.2
1967 32.2 55
1966 31.8 54.7
1965 31.5 54.4
1964 31.2 54.2
1963 31 53.9
1962 30.8 53.6
1961 30.6 53.1
1960 30.5 52.6
1959 30.3 51.9
1958 30.2 51.1
1957 30.1 50.2
1956 29.9 49.2
1955 29.7 48.2
1954 29.5 47.1
1953 29.4 46.1
1952 29.1 45
1951 28.9 44.1
1950 28.7 43.1

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

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

Mali and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Mali South Africa
2024 24,478,595 64,007,187
2023 23,769,127 63,212,384
2022 23,072,640 62,378,410
2021 22,388,630 61,502,603
2020 21,713,836 60,562,381
2019 21,068,405 59,587,885
2018 20,442,030 58,613,001
2017 19,813,011 57,635,162
2016 19,191,289 57,259,551
2015 18,593,022 56,723,537
2014 18,020,267 55,594,838
2013 17,459,615 54,678,791
2012 16,957,033 53,782,567
2011 16,469,049 52,995,205
2010 15,945,198 52,344,051
2009 15,435,539 51,728,516
2008 14,940,782 51,114,599
2007 14,457,775 50,528,584
2006 13,990,139 49,998,277
2005 13,538,647 49,490,033
2004 13,102,409 48,991,421
2003 12,684,955 48,500,348
2002 12,288,050 48,019,415
2001 11,912,158 47,566,800
2000 11,559,290 47,159,719
1999 11,227,415 46,730,335
1998 10,919,573 46,223,880
1997 10,646,495 45,666,838
1996 10,407,278 45,123,018
1995 10,185,365 44,541,554
1994 9,967,031 44,004,139
1993 9,754,786 43,297,156
1992 9,553,540 42,443,509
1991 9,362,888 41,687,898
1990 9,178,830 40,746,268
1989 8,999,938 39,628,575
1988 8,833,996 38,480,649
1987 8,681,164 37,326,190
1986 8,531,277 36,180,515
1985 8,374,663 35,042,093
1984 8,208,599 33,892,788
1983 8,034,400 32,739,304
1982 7,860,194 31,615,339
1981 7,692,766 30,541,044
1980 7,530,515 29,518,857
1979 7,375,266 28,634,162
1978 7,229,651 27,869,507
1977 7,090,979 27,118,952
1976 6,960,979 26,395,450
1975 6,837,261 25,690,940
1974 6,715,436 24,989,108
1973 6,597,106 24,294,263
1972 6,483,726 23,609,456
1971 6,377,944 22,942,143
1970 6,276,472 22,279,984
1969 6,177,704 21,614,676
1968 6,082,979 20,957,287
1967 5,990,906 20,314,066
1966 5,902,204 19,690,087
1965 5,815,487 19,089,380
1964 5,730,125 18,511,361
1963 5,646,605 17,954,564
1962 5,563,917 17,418,522
1961 5,482,283 16,908,035
1960 5,402,550 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Mali and South Africa

Fertility rate
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Mali South Africa
2023 5.61 2.22
2022 5.69 2.23
2021 5.78 2.25
2020 5.85 2.26
2019 5.89 2.26
2018 6.12 2.27
2017 6.25 2.28
2016 6.32 2.26
2015 6.39 2.36
2014 6.44 2.42
2013 6.49 2.43
2012 6.52 2.45
2011 6.55 2.44
2010 6.58 2.44
2009 6.59 2.5
2008 6.62 2.68
2007 6.65 2.55
2006 6.68 2.55
2005 6.71 2.51
2004 6.74 2.44
2003 6.78 2.36
2002 6.82 2.32
2001 6.85 2.37
2000 6.89 2.41
1999 6.91 2.56
1998 6.94 2.63
1997 6.97 2.73
1996 7.01 2.99
1995 7.05 3.17
1994 7.12 3.26
1993 7.18 3.37
1992 7.24 3.48
1991 7.28 3.62
1990 7.31 3.72
1989 7.33 3.98
1988 7.32 4.18
1987 7.31 4.35
1986 7.31 4.41
1985 7.26 4.5
1984 7.26 4.57
1983 7.28 4.63
1982 7.32 4.7
1981 7.37 4.71
1980 7.37 4.78
1979 7.35 4.82
1978 7.32 4.85
1977 7.3 4.94
1976 7.27 5.07
1975 7.25 5.19
1974 7.23 5.3
1973 7.22 5.41
1972 7.22 5.49
1971 7.2 5.57
1970 7.18 5.63
1969 7.18 5.72
1968 7.16 5.78
1967 7.14 5.85
1966 7.11 5.91
1965 7.08 5.89
1964 7.06 5.96
1963 7.05 6.01
1962 7.04 6.05
1961 7.03 6.08
1960 7.02 6.11

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

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

Mali and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Mali

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Mali South Africa
2024 16.7 29.5
2023 16.6 29.2
2022 16.5 28.9
2021 16.3 28.6
2020 16.2 28.3
2019 16.1 27.9
2018 16 27.5
2017 16 27
2016 16 26.7
2015 16 26.4
2014 16 26
2013 16 25.7
2012 16.1 25.3
2011 16.3 25
2010 16.4 24.6
2009 16.4 24.3
2008 16.5 24
2007 16.6 23.8
2006 16.6 23.5
2005 16.6 23.3
2004 16.6 23.1
2003 16.6 22.8
2002 16.6 22.4
2001 16.5 22.2
2000 16.5 21.9
1999 16.4 21.6
1998 16.4 21.4
1997 16.3 21.2
1996 16.3 21.2
1995 16.3 21.5
1994 16.3 22
1993 16.3 21.9
1992 16.4 21.5
1991 16.4 21.5
1990 16.5 21.3
1989 16.6 21.1
1988 16.8 20.9
1987 16.9 20.7
1986 17.1 20.5
1985 17.3 20.4
1984 17.5 20.2
1983 17.6 20
1982 17.8 19.8
1981 17.9 19.6
1980 18.1 19.4
1979 18.3 19.3
1978 18.4 19.2
1977 18.6 19.1
1976 18.7 19
1975 18.9 18.9
1974 19 18.9
1973 19.1 18.8
1972 19.2 18.8
1971 19.3 18.8
1970 19.4 18.8
1969 19.5 18.8
1968 19.6 18.8
1967 19.6 18.8
1966 19.7 18.8
1965 19.8 18.8
1964 19.8 18.9
1963 19.8 18.9
1962 19.8 18.9
1961 19.8 19
1960 19.8 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Mali South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$25.2B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.18%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
4.2%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
41,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-2.57%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.45%
2023
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.5%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
52.1
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.3%
2021
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
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 n/a
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$1.07B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
217,000
2019
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.52%
2018
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
54.7%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Mali South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
7.41 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.3 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
71.1%
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
62.3%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
56.6%
2021
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
54.5%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Mali South Africa
% of world population
0.3%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-48,019
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
31.6%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.74 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.31 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
13.4
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
28
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
11
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.9
2015
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.7
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
60
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
31%
2020
91.2%
2024
English speaking
0%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
35.1%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Mali South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$34
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
61.1 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
5.99%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.19
2023
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.2 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
367
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
91.3
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
11.8%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.8%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
19
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
8%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
5.32 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Mali South Africa
% of world land
0.82%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
19,246 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
167,103 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
51,336 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
86,437 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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