North Korea has a population of 26.5M (ranked 56/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). North Korea's land area is 46,491 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 97th vs. 24th).
By GDP, North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
26659144
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 57/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$34.9B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 106/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,319
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 168/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,700
2015 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt | n/a |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio | n/a |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person | n/a |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | n/a | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,426
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 46,491 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.78
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
37.3 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
North Korea and South Africa: Comparison Charts
North Korea and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $34,943,120,000 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $32,155,360,000 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $28,971,360,000 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $32,301,720,000 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $27,728,240,000 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $28,222,880,000 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $28,536,400,000 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $29,105,440,000 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $28,882,640,000 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $30,723,030,000 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $30,554,460,000 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $30,588,922,000 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $29,890,710,000 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $29,005,020,000 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $25,995,513,000 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $23,356,470,000 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | - | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | - | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | - | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | - | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | - | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | - | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | - | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | - | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | - | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | - | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | - | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | - | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | - | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | - | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | - | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | - | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | - | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | - | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | - | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | - | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | - | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | - | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | - | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | - | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | - | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | - | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | - | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | - | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | - | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | - | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | - | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | - | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | - | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | - | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | - | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | - | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | - | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | - | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | - | $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/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY 
North Korea and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $1,319 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $1,217 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $1,100 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $1,231 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $1,061 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $1,084 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $1,100 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $1,127 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $1,124 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,201 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,201 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,208 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,186 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,156 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,040 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $939 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | - | $6,185 |
| 2007 | - | $6,592 |
| 2006 | - | $6,077 |
| 2005 | - | $5,837 |
| 2004 | - | $5,221 |
| 2003 | - | $4,062 |
| 2002 | - | $2,688 |
| 2001 | - | $2,847 |
| 2000 | - | $3,218 |
| 1999 | - | $3,242 |
| 1998 | - | $3,310 |
| 1997 | - | $3,700 |
| 1996 | - | $3,618 |
| 1995 | - | $3,856 |
| 1994 | - | $3,489 |
| 1993 | - | $3,400 |
| 1992 | - | $3,462 |
| 1991 | - | $3,243 |
| 1990 | - | $3,093 |
| 1989 | - | $2,727 |
| 1988 | - | $2,702 |
| 1987 | - | $2,586 |
| 1986 | - | $2,027 |
| 1985 | - | $1,839 |
| 1984 | - | $2,504 |
| 1983 | - | $2,938 |
| 1982 | - | $2,717 |
| 1981 | - | $3,050 |
| 1980 | - | $3,029 |
| 1979 | - | $2,202 |
| 1978 | - | $1,852 |
| 1977 | - | $1,671 |
| 1976 | - | $1,559 |
| 1975 | - | $1,670 |
| 1974 | - | $1,656 |
| 1973 | - | $1,369 |
| 1972 | - | $1,038 |
| 1971 | - | $1,020 |
| 1970 | - | $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 | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY
North Korea vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 74 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 73.9 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 73.7 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 73.6 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 73.6 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 62 |
| 2020 | 72.8 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 72.9 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 73 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 73 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 73 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 72.8 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 72.5 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 71.9 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 70.8 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 70.2 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 69.3 | 56 |
| 2007 | 69 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 69.1 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 69.2 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 69.3 | 54 |
| 2003 | 69.4 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 60.9 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 60.9 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 60.9 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 60.9 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 60.9 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 60.9 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 60.8 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 60.8 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 70.5 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 70.8 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 71 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 70.7 | 63 |
| 1990 | 70.5 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 70.3 | 63 |
| 1988 | 70.1 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 69.8 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 69.5 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 69.2 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 68.9 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 68.5 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 68.1 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 67.7 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 67.2 | 60 |
| 1979 | 66.7 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 66.3 | 59 |
| 1977 | 65.8 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 65.3 | 58 |
| 1975 | 64.8 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 64.3 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 63.8 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 63.3 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 62.7 | 56 |
| 1970 | 62 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 61.4 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 60.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 60.1 | 55 |
| 1966 | 59.4 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 58.8 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 58.2 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 57.6 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 57 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 56.4 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 55.8 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 55.2 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 54.5 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 53.7 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 52.8 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 51.8 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 50.6 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 40.3 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 32.8 | 45 |
| 1951 | 17.7 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 14.2 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY
North Korea and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in North Korea and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 1.78 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 1.81 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 1.82 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 1.83 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 1.83 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 1.85 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 1.86 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 1.88 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 1.88 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 1.88 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 1.89 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 1.97 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 1.94 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 1.94 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 1.87 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 1.9 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 1.91 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 1.92 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 1.94 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 1.94 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 1.97 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 1.99 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 2.03 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 2.09 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 2.15 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 2.18 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 2.22 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 2.29 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 2.35 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 2.41 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 2.47 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 2.53 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 2.59 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 2.65 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 2.71 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 2.78 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 2.85 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 2.92 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 2.84 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 2.85 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 2.79 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 2.77 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 2.84 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 3.05 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 3.14 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 3.35 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 3.89 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 3.74 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 3.85 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 3.86 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 3.87 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 4.05 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 3.71 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 3.56 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 3.55 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 3.63 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 3.41 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 3.26 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 3.57 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY
North Korea and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 37.3 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 37.1 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 36.8 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 36.6 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 36.4 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 36.2 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 35.9 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 27 |
| 2016 | 35.4 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 35.2 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 35 | 26 |
| 2013 | 34.7 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 34.5 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 34.3 | 25 |
| 2010 | 34 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 33.7 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 33.3 | 24 |
| 2007 | 32.9 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 32.5 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 32.1 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 31.8 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 31.4 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 31 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 30.5 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 30.1 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 29.6 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 29.2 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 28.8 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 28.3 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 28 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 27.6 | 22 |
| 1993 | 27.2 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 26.8 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 26.4 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 26 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 25.6 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 25.1 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 24.8 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 24.5 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 24.2 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 23.9 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 23.5 | 20 |
| 1982 | 23.1 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 22.8 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 22.5 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 22.2 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 21.8 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 21.4 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 21.1 | 19 |
| 1975 | 20.9 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 20.7 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 20.7 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 20.9 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 21.2 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 21.4 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 21.4 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 21.4 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 21.4 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 21.3 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 21.2 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 21 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 20.8 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 20.6 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 20.2 | 19 |
| 1960 | 19.9 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/north-korea/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for North Korea and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method | n/a |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP | n/a |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
1,469,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | n/a |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
25.6%
2013 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP | n/a |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP | n/a |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
3.1
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 | 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 | n/a |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals | n/a |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports | n/a |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share | n/a |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
641 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use | n/a |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
2.5 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
85.1%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
14.7%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
8.5%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
4.9%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
830 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.2%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
62.7%
2022 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
57.5%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.33%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-2,787
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
63.9%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.73 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.29 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
10.1
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
15
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
10
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.4
2015 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
24.2
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
48
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
100%
2018 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
0%
2025 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
0%
2012 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita | n/a |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
74 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure | n/a |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
3.63
2017 |
0.79
2022 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
67
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
18
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
11.1%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
9.9%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
42
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
16.5%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
3.87 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
North Korea
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
15,879 mi
2006 |
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)
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