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New Zealand vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has a population of 5.29M (ranked 123/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). New Zealand's land area is 101,665 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 74th vs. 24th).

By GDP, New Zealand ranks 52/197 ($260B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, New Zealand ranks 26/197 ($49,205), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

New Zealand South Africa
Population
5374272
65683993
Population rank 124/197 24/197
GDP
$260B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 52/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$49,205
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 26/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$55,551
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$131B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.2%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$24,722
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 28/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,758
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 101,665 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
52.8 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.56
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
38.6 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
82.5 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

New Zealand and South Africa: Comparison Charts

New Zealand and South Africa economies compared

GDP
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
New Zealand South Africa
2024 $260,172,385,098 $401,144,998,374
2023 $255,194,972,673 $381,440,724,491
2022 $249,509,991,440 $407,596,043,068
2021 $253,977,931,815 $419,986,284,375
2020 $213,029,554,654 $337,974,655,408
2019 $213,006,341,102 $389,330,032,224
2018 $211,985,631,173 $405,260,723,893
2017 $206,745,969,246 $381,448,814,653
2016 $189,100,085,275 $323,585,509,674
2015 $178,224,167,088 $346,709,790,459
2014 $201,518,402,787 $381,198,869,776
2013 $191,012,364,177 $400,886,013,596
2012 $176,560,711,239 $434,400,545,086
2011 $168,484,908,960 $458,199,494,831
2010 $146,887,902,524 $417,363,822,802
2009 $121,663,439,315 $329,754,060,647
2008 $133,437,126,590 $316,131,258,616
2007 $137,188,946,866 $333,077,117,254
2006 $111,538,810,713 $303,858,675,364
2005 $114,720,129,550 $288,867,217,197
2004 $103,905,210,084 $255,806,908,595
2003 $88,250,885,550 $197,018,965,309
2002 $66,627,729,311 $129,087,556,612
2001 $53,872,425,917 $135,429,905,923
2000 $52,623,281,957 $151,752,757,215
1999 $58,762,260,626 $151,516,957,079
1998 $56,227,169,851 $152,982,984,557
1997 $66,075,143,415 $168,978,057,328
1996 $70,140,835,299 $163,234,925,381
1995 $63,918,703,507 $171,735,933,897
1994 $55,314,732,279 $153,512,712,382
1993 $46,775,620,817 $147,194,747,566
1992 $41,649,829,860 $146,956,150,987
1991 $42,745,329,732 $135,203,698,238
1990 $45,495,129,385 $126,048,140,142
1989 $43,920,222,525 $108,055,624,082
1988 $45,176,811,594 $103,976,831,871
1987 $40,376,354,070 $96,535,763,418
1986 $30,604,668,357 $73,354,771,399
1985 $24,679,795,396 $64,459,376,087
1984 $21,665,975,319 $84,870,163,366
1983 $24,309,279,706 $96,204,110,942
1982 $24,164,603,059 $85,904,057,409
1981 $24,417,617,184 $93,141,472,164
1980 $23,244,547,385 $89,411,864,402
1979 $20,731,243,113 $63,038,658,089
1978 $18,530,518,395 $51,607,412,902
1977 $15,446,825,318 $45,328,411,332
1976 $13,604,832,424 $41,150,460,288
1975 $12,861,983,284 $42,906,905,672
1974 $13,940,981,798 $41,389,186,095
1973 $12,802,281,898 $33,262,772,008
1972 $9,567,331,065 $24,515,919,217
1971 $7,911,136,757 $23,411,076,638
1970 $6,495,605,331 $21,218,391,513
1969 $5,814,357,709 $19,256,992,297
1968 $5,228,045,415 $17,124,793,150
1967 $6,016,017,227 $15,821,393,671
1966 $5,917,437,693 $14,211,394,315
1965 $5,706,251,400 $13,068,994,772
1964 $7,340,766,415 $11,955,995,218
1963 $6,699,741,645 $10,854,195,658
1962 $6,133,158,532 $9,813,996,074
1961 $5,721,994,864 $9,225,996,310
1960 $5,536,098,360 $8,748,596,501

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

New Zealand and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
New Zealand South Africa
2024 $49,205 $6,267
2023 $49,076 $6,034
2022 $49,100 $6,534
2021 $49,950 $6,829
2020 $41,998 $5,581
2019 $42,856 $6,534
2018 $43,257 $6,914
2017 $42,950 $6,618
2016 $40,114 $5,651
2015 $38,665 $6,112
2014 $44,618 $6,857
2013 $43,000 $7,332
2012 $40,054 $8,077
2011 $38,432 $8,646
2010 $33,762 $7,973
2009 $28,277 $6,375
2008 $31,325 $6,185
2007 $32,480 $6,592
2006 $26,655 $6,077
2005 $27,751 $5,837
2004 $25,420 $5,221
2003 $21,914 $4,062
2002 $16,874 $2,688
2001 $13,883 $2,847
2000 $13,641 $3,218
1999 $15,322 $3,242
1998 $14,738 $3,310
1997 $17,474 $3,700
1996 $18,794 $3,618
1995 $17,400 $3,856
1994 $15,280 $3,489
1993 $13,094 $3,400
1992 $11,793 $3,462
1991 $12,230 $3,243
1990 $13,663 $3,093
1989 $13,312 $2,727
1988 $13,759 $2,702
1987 $12,331 $2,586
1986 $9,428 $2,027
1985 $7,601 $1,839
1984 $6,714 $2,504
1983 $7,598 $2,938
1982 $7,656 $2,717
1981 $7,814 $3,050
1980 $7,467 $3,029
1979 $6,668 $2,202
1978 $5,937 $1,852
1977 $4,951 $1,671
1976 $4,374 $1,559
1975 $4,172 $1,670
1974 $4,611 $1,656
1973 $4,323 $1,369
1972 $3,295 $1,038
1971 $2,773 $1,020
1970 $2,311 $952
1969 $2,097 $891
1968 $1,902 $817
1967 $2,208 $779
1966 $2,211 $722
1965 $2,171 $685
1964 $2,839 $646
1963 $2,646 $605
1962 $2,471 $563
1961 $2,365 $546
1960 $2,334 $532

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

New Zealand vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
New Zealand South Africa
2026 82.5 66.7
2025 82.4 66.5
2024 82.2 66.3
2023 82.1 66.1
2022 81 65.5
2021 82.3 62
2020 82.7 65.2
2019 81.8 66.1
2018 81.9 65.7
2017 81.6 65.4
2016 82 64.7
2015 81.6 64.1
2014 81.4 63.2
2013 81.6 62.4
2012 81.2 61.7
2011 80.8 60.6
2010 81.1 58.9
2009 80.5 57.4
2008 80.2 56
2007 80.1 54.9
2006 80 54.2
2005 80 53.9
2004 79.4 54
2003 79.1 54.2
2002 78.9 55.6
2001 78.7 57.2
2000 78.7 58.4
1999 77.9 59.2
1998 78.2 59.9
1997 77.3 60.5
1996 76.8 61.1
1995 76.8 61.6
1994 76.9 62.1
1993 76.5 62.6
1992 76.2 62.8
1991 76.1 63
1990 75.4 62.9
1989 74.9 63
1988 74.5 62.9
1987 74.2 62.7
1986 74.1 62.4
1985 73.9 62.2
1984 74.4 61.8
1983 73.8 61.4
1982 73.7 60.9
1981 73.6 60.4
1980 72.9 60
1979 73.1 59.5
1978 73 59
1977 72.1 58.5
1976 72.4 58
1975 72.2 57.6
1974 71.9 57.1
1973 71.7 56.7
1972 71.8 56.4
1971 71.7 56
1970 71.2 55.7
1969 71.5 55.4
1968 71.1 55.2
1967 71.4 55
1966 71.1 54.7
1965 71.2 54.4
1964 71.3 54.2
1963 71.3 53.9
1962 71.2 53.6
1961 70.9 53.1
1960 71.2 52.6
1959 70.8 51.9
1958 70.9 51.1
1957 70.3 50.2
1956 70.7 49.2
1955 70.5 48.2
1954 70.3 47.1
1953 70.2 46.1
1952 69.4 45
1951 69.1 44.1
1950 69.3 43.1

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

New Zealand and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year Population
New Zealand South Africa
2024 5,287,500 64,007,187
2023 5,200,000 63,212,384
2022 5,081,700 62,378,410
2021 5,084,600 61,502,603
2020 5,072,400 60,562,381
2019 4,970,300 59,587,885
2018 4,900,600 58,613,001
2017 4,813,600 57,635,162
2016 4,714,100 57,259,551
2015 4,609,400 56,723,537
2014 4,516,500 55,594,838
2013 4,442,100 54,678,791
2012 4,408,100 53,782,567
2011 4,384,000 52,995,205
2010 4,350,700 52,344,051
2009 4,302,600 51,728,516
2008 4,259,800 51,114,599
2007 4,223,800 50,528,584
2006 4,184,600 49,998,277
2005 4,133,900 49,490,033
2004 4,087,500 48,991,421
2003 4,027,200 48,500,348
2002 3,948,500 48,019,415
2001 3,880,500 47,566,800
2000 3,857,700 47,159,719
1999 3,835,100 46,730,335
1998 3,815,000 46,223,880
1997 3,781,300 45,666,838
1996 3,732,000 45,123,018
1995 3,673,400 44,541,554
1994 3,620,000 44,004,139
1993 3,572,200 43,297,156
1992 3,531,700 42,443,509
1991 3,495,100 41,687,898
1990 3,329,800 40,746,268
1989 3,299,200 39,628,575
1988 3,283,400 38,480,649
1987 3,274,400 37,326,190
1986 3,246,300 36,180,515
1985 3,247,100 35,042,093
1984 3,227,100 33,892,788
1983 3,199,300 32,739,304
1982 3,156,100 31,615,339
1981 3,124,900 30,541,044
1980 3,112,900 29,518,857
1979 3,109,000 28,634,162
1978 3,121,200 27,869,507
1977 3,120,200 27,118,952
1976 3,110,500 26,395,450
1975 3,083,100 25,690,940
1974 3,023,700 24,989,108
1973 2,961,300 24,294,263
1972 2,903,900 23,609,456
1971 2,853,000 22,942,143
1970 2,810,700 22,279,984
1969 2,772,800 21,614,676
1968 2,748,100 20,957,287
1967 2,724,100 20,314,066
1966 2,675,900 19,690,087
1965 2,628,400 19,089,380
1964 2,585,400 18,511,361
1963 2,531,800 17,954,564
1962 2,482,000 17,418,522
1961 2,419,700 16,908,035
1960 2,371,800 16,440,172

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

Fertility rates in New Zealand and South Africa

Fertility rate
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
New Zealand South Africa
2023 1.56 2.22
2022 1.66 2.23
2021 1.64 2.25
2020 1.61 2.26
2019 1.72 2.26
2018 1.71 2.27
2017 1.81 2.28
2016 1.87 2.26
2015 1.99 2.36
2014 1.92 2.42
2013 2.01 2.43
2012 2.1 2.45
2011 2.09 2.44
2010 2.17 2.44
2009 2.13 2.5
2008 2.19 2.68
2007 2.18 2.55
2006 2.01 2.55
2005 1.97 2.51
2004 1.98 2.44
2003 1.93 2.36
2002 1.89 2.32
2001 1.97 2.37
2000 1.98 2.41
1999 1.97 2.56
1998 1.89 2.63
1997 1.96 2.73
1996 1.96 2.99
1995 1.98 3.17
1994 1.98 3.26
1993 2.04 3.37
1992 2.06 3.48
1991 2.09 3.62
1990 2.18 3.72
1989 2.12 3.98
1988 2.1 4.18
1987 2.03 4.35
1986 1.96 4.41
1985 1.93 4.5
1984 1.93 4.57
1983 1.92 4.63
1982 1.95 4.7
1981 2.01 4.71
1980 2.03 4.78
1979 2.12 4.82
1978 2.07 4.85
1977 2.21 4.94
1976 2.27 5.07
1975 2.37 5.19
1974 2.58 5.3
1973 2.76 5.41
1972 3 5.49
1971 3.18 5.57
1970 3.17 5.63
1969 3.28 5.72
1968 3.34 5.78
1967 3.35 5.85
1966 3.41 5.91
1965 3.54 5.89
1964 3.8 5.96
1963 4.05 6.01
1962 4.19 6.05
1961 4.31 6.08
1960 4.24 6.11

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

New Zealand and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
New Zealand

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
New Zealand South Africa
2024 38.6 29.5
2023 38.3 29.2
2022 38.1 28.9
2021 37.8 28.6
2020 37.5 28.3
2019 37.3 27.9
2018 37.3 27.5
2017 37.2 27
2016 37.3 26.7
2015 37.4 26.4
2014 37.5 26
2013 37.4 25.7
2012 37.2 25.3
2011 37 25
2010 36.8 24.6
2009 36.6 24.3
2008 36.4 24
2007 36.1 23.8
2006 35.8 23.5
2005 35.5 23.3
2004 35.2 23.1
2003 35 22.8
2002 34.8 22.4
2001 34.6 22.2
2000 34.3 21.9
1999 34 21.6
1998 33.6 21.4
1997 33.2 21.2
1996 32.8 21.2
1995 32.6 21.5
1994 32.3 22
1993 32 21.9
1992 31.7 21.5
1991 31.4 21.5
1990 31.1 21.3
1989 30.8 21.1
1988 30.4 20.9
1987 30.1 20.7
1986 29.8 20.5
1985 29.4 20.4
1984 29.1 20.2
1983 28.8 20
1982 28.5 19.8
1981 28.2 19.6
1980 27.9 19.4
1979 27.5 19.3
1978 27.1 19.2
1977 26.8 19.1
1976 26.5 19
1975 26.3 18.9
1974 26.2 18.9
1973 26 18.8
1972 25.9 18.8
1971 25.7 18.8
1970 25.6 18.8
1969 25.7 18.8
1968 25.7 18.8
1967 25.8 18.8
1966 25.9 18.8
1965 26 18.8
1964 26.2 18.9
1963 26.4 18.9
1962 26.8 18.9
1961 27.1 19
1960 27.5 19

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

GeoRank.org/facts/new-zealand/south-africa | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

New Zealand South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
41.9%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.28%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.19%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
10,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.61%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.76%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
67.4%
2022
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.6%
2022
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
77.8
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires
5
2025
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.0001%
2025
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies
112
2024
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$92.9B
2024
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$22.1B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$598M
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
996,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
18.8%
2018
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
97.9%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

New Zealand South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
3,661 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$14.9
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
31.8 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.02 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
55.4%
2023
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
28.9%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
39.7%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
31.6%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
8,021 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
81.4%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
59.5%
2023
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

New Zealand South Africa
% of world population
0.07%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
+17,403
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
83.9%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.7:50.3
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.83 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.4 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
89.3
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
81
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
91
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.11
2021
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
9.6
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
170
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
99%
2003
91.2%
2024
English speaking
97.8%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
96.2%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

New Zealand South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$5,022
2024
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$637
2024
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
82.5 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure n/a
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
3.61
2022
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
27.8 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
7
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
4.7
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
34.3%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.7%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
90
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
12.2%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
10 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

New Zealand South Africa
% of world land
0.18%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
19,227 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
37,494 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
38,418 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
60,159 mi
2020
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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