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Poland vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a population of 36.6M (ranked 42/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Poland's land area is 118,252 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 69th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Poland ranks 21/197 ($918B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Poland ranks 48/197 ($25,104), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Poland South Africa
Population
35806942
65683993
Population rank 47/197 24/197
GDP
$918B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 21/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 48/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 41/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 118,252 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
303 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.16
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
42.9 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
79.2 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Poland and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Poland and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Poland South Africa
2024 $917,767,106,147 $401,144,998,374
2023 $812,451,193,396 $381,440,724,491
2022 $695,607,470,875 $407,596,043,068
2021 $689,170,230,665 $419,986,284,375
2020 $605,914,237,904 $337,974,655,408
2019 $602,683,770,145 $389,330,032,224
2018 $594,616,687,350 $405,260,723,893
2017 $528,356,676,667 $381,448,814,653
2016 $473,259,583,970 $323,585,509,674
2015 $480,054,118,583 $346,709,790,459
2014 $542,134,167,179 $381,198,869,776
2013 $518,179,836,405 $400,886,013,596
2012 $498,148,649,703 $434,400,545,086
2011 $527,848,543,023 $458,199,494,831
2010 $478,111,630,684 $417,363,822,802
2009 $440,891,472,247 $329,754,060,647
2008 $535,612,030,672 $316,131,258,616
2007 $429,715,132,138 $333,077,117,254
2006 $345,897,630,736 $303,858,675,364
2005 $306,999,913,151 $288,867,217,197
2004 $256,268,656,145 $255,806,908,595
2003 $218,561,225,998 $197,018,965,309
2002 $199,694,463,256 $129,087,556,612
2001 $191,823,200,371 $135,429,905,923
2000 $172,953,527,033 $151,752,757,215
1999 $170,704,452,715 $151,516,957,079
1998 $175,282,269,667 $152,982,984,557
1997 $159,893,964,917 $168,978,057,328
1996 $160,813,026,223 $163,234,925,381
1995 $142,838,527,115 $171,735,933,897
1994 $110,803,635,288 $153,512,712,382
1993 $96,043,157,273 $147,194,747,566
1992 $94,337,050,693 $146,956,150,987
1991 $85,500,935,935 $135,203,698,238
1990 $65,977,748,211 $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/poland/south-africa | CC BY

Poland and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Poland South Africa
2024 $25,104 $6,267
2023 $22,145 $6,034
2022 $18,891 $6,534
2021 $18,636 $6,829
2020 $16,151 $5,581
2019 $15,875 $6,534
2018 $15,658 $6,914
2017 $13,913 $6,618
2016 $12,464 $5,651
2015 $12,638 $6,112
2014 $14,262 $6,857
2013 $13,622 $7,332
2012 $13,087 $8,077
2011 $13,868 $8,646
2010 $12,568 $7,973
2009 $11,556 $6,375
2008 $14,049 $6,185
2007 $11,273 $6,592
2006 $9,069 $6,077
2005 $8,044 $5,837
2004 $6,712 $5,221
2003 $5,721 $4,062
2002 $5,223 $2,688
2001 $5,015 $2,847
2000 $4,521 $3,218
1999 $4,416 $3,242
1998 $4,534 $3,310
1997 $4,137 $3,700
1996 $4,164 $3,618
1995 $3,701 $3,856
1994 $2,875 $3,489
1993 $2,497 $3,400
1992 $2,459 $3,462
1991 $2,236 $3,243
1990 $1,731 $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 | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Poland vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Poland South Africa
2026 79.2 66.7
2025 79 66.5
2024 78.8 66.3
2023 78.6 66.1
2022 77.9 65.5
2021 75.6 62
2020 76.6 65.2
2019 77.9 66.1
2018 77.6 65.7
2017 77.7 65.4
2016 77.6 64.7
2015 77.6 64.1
2014 77.3 63.2
2013 77.1 62.4
2012 76.8 61.7
2011 76.6 60.6
2010 76.3 58.9
2009 75.9 57.4
2008 75.6 56
2007 75.4 54.9
2006 75.3 54.2
2005 75.1 53.9
2004 74.9 54
2003 74.8 54.2
2002 74.5 55.6
2001 74.2 57.2
2000 73.6 58.4
1999 73.2 59.2
1998 72.8 59.9
1997 72.6 60.5
1996 72.3 61.1
1995 72 61.6
1994 71.7 62.1
1993 71.3 62.6
1992 70.9 62.8
1991 70.7 63
1990 70.6 62.9
1989 70.8 63
1988 70.8 62.9
1987 70.8 62.7
1986 70.6 62.4
1985 70.5 62.2
1984 70.6 61.8
1983 70.8 61.4
1982 70.9 60.9
1981 70.6 60.4
1980 70.5 60
1979 70.2 59.5
1978 70.4 59
1977 70.3 58.5
1976 70.4 58
1975 70.6 57.6
1974 70.7 57.1
1973 70.7 56.7
1972 70.1 56.4
1971 69.8 56
1970 69.6 55.7
1969 69.8 55.4
1968 69.8 55.2
1967 69.9 55
1966 69.7 54.7
1965 69.4 54.4
1964 68.9 54.2
1963 68.3 53.9
1962 68 53.6
1961 67.8 53.1
1960 67.1 52.6
1959 66.4 51.9
1958 64.9 51.1
1957 64.4 50.2
1956 63.4 49.2
1955 63.1 48.2
1954 62.3 47.1
1953 61.3 46.1
1952 59.7 45
1951 58.9 44.1
1950 58.3 43.1

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

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

Poland and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Poland South Africa
2024 36,559,233 64,007,187
2023 36,687,353 63,212,384
2022 36,821,749 62,378,410
2021 36,981,559 61,502,603
2020 37,515,748 60,562,381
2019 37,965,475 59,587,885
2018 37,974,750 58,613,001
2017 37,974,826 57,635,162
2016 37,970,087 57,259,551
2015 37,986,412 56,723,537
2014 38,011,735 55,594,838
2013 38,040,196 54,678,791
2012 38,063,164 53,782,567
2011 38,063,255 52,995,205
2010 38,042,794 52,344,051
2009 38,151,603 51,728,516
2008 38,125,759 51,114,599
2007 38,120,560 50,528,584
2006 38,141,267 49,998,277
2005 38,165,445 49,490,033
2004 38,182,222 48,991,421
2003 38,204,570 48,500,348
2002 38,230,364 48,019,415
2001 38,248,076 47,566,800
2000 38,258,629 47,159,719
1999 38,660,271 46,730,335
1998 38,663,481 46,223,880
1997 38,649,660 45,666,838
1996 38,624,370 45,123,018
1995 38,594,998 44,541,554
1994 38,542,652 44,004,139
1993 38,461,408 43,297,156
1992 38,363,667 42,443,509
1991 38,246,193 41,687,898
1990 38,110,782 40,746,268
1989 37,961,529 39,628,575
1988 37,824,487 38,480,649
1987 37,668,045 37,326,190
1986 37,456,119 36,180,515
1985 37,201,885 35,042,093
1984 36,904,134 33,892,788
1983 36,571,808 32,739,304
1982 36,230,481 31,615,339
1981 35,898,587 30,541,044
1980 35,574,150 29,518,857
1979 35,247,217 28,634,162
1978 34,965,600 27,869,507
1977 34,689,050 27,118,952
1976 34,356,300 26,395,450
1975 34,015,199 25,690,940
1974 33,678,899 24,989,108
1973 33,357,200 24,294,263
1972 33,055,650 23,609,456
1971 32,783,500 22,942,143
1970 32,664,300 22,279,984
1969 32,548,300 21,614,676
1968 32,294,655 20,957,287
1967 31,987,155 20,314,066
1966 31,681,000 19,690,087
1965 31,444,950 19,089,380
1964 31,139,450 18,511,361
1963 30,712,000 17,954,564
1962 30,308,500 17,418,522
1961 29,964,000 16,908,035
1960 29,637,450 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Poland and South Africa

Fertility rate
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Poland South Africa
2023 1.16 2.22
2022 1.29 2.23
2021 1.33 2.25
2020 1.39 2.26
2019 1.44 2.26
2018 1.46 2.27
2017 1.48 2.28
2016 1.39 2.26
2015 1.32 2.36
2014 1.32 2.42
2013 1.29 2.43
2012 1.33 2.45
2011 1.33 2.44
2010 1.41 2.44
2009 1.4 2.5
2008 1.39 2.68
2007 1.31 2.55
2006 1.27 2.55
2005 1.24 2.51
2004 1.23 2.44
2003 1.22 2.36
2002 1.25 2.32
2001 1.31 2.37
2000 1.37 2.41
1999 1.37 2.56
1998 1.44 2.63
1997 1.51 2.73
1996 1.59 2.99
1995 1.62 3.17
1994 1.81 3.26
1993 1.87 3.37
1992 1.95 3.48
1991 2.07 3.62
1990 2.06 3.72
1989 2.08 3.98
1988 2.13 4.18
1987 2.15 4.35
1986 2.22 4.41
1985 2.33 4.5
1984 2.37 4.57
1983 2.42 4.63
1982 2.34 4.7
1981 2.24 4.71
1980 2.28 4.78
1979 2.28 4.82
1978 2.21 4.85
1977 2.23 4.94
1976 2.3 5.07
1975 2.27 5.19
1974 2.26 5.3
1973 2.26 5.41
1972 2.24 5.49
1971 2.25 5.57
1970 2.2 5.63
1969 2.2 5.72
1968 2.24 5.78
1967 2.33 5.85
1966 2.34 5.91
1965 2.52 5.89
1964 2.57 5.96
1963 2.7 6.01
1962 2.72 6.05
1961 2.83 6.08
1960 2.98 6.11

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

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

Poland and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Poland

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Poland South Africa
2024 42.9 29.5
2023 42.4 29.2
2022 41.9 28.9
2021 41.5 28.6
2020 41.1 28.3
2019 40.8 27.9
2018 40.4 27.5
2017 40 27
2016 39.7 26.7
2015 39.3 26.4
2014 39 26
2013 38.7 25.7
2012 38.4 25.3
2011 38.2 25
2010 38.1 24.6
2009 37.8 24.3
2008 37.5 24
2007 37.2 23.8
2006 36.9 23.5
2005 36.6 23.3
2004 36.3 23.1
2003 36 22.8
2002 35.8 22.4
2001 35.5 22.2
2000 35.2 21.9
1999 35 21.6
1998 34.7 21.4
1997 34.4 21.2
1996 34.2 21.2
1995 33.9 21.5
1994 33.5 22
1993 33.2 21.9
1992 32.9 21.5
1991 32.6 21.5
1990 32.4 21.3
1989 32.1 21.1
1988 31.7 20.9
1987 31.4 20.7
1986 31.1 20.5
1985 30.8 20.4
1984 30.6 20.2
1983 30.3 20
1982 30.1 19.8
1981 29.8 19.6
1980 29.5 19.4
1979 29.3 19.3
1978 29.1 19.2
1977 28.9 19.1
1976 28.7 19
1975 28.6 18.9
1974 28.6 18.9
1973 28.5 18.8
1972 28.5 18.8
1971 28.4 18.8
1970 28.2 18.8
1969 28.1 18.8
1968 28 18.8
1967 27.8 18.8
1966 27.7 18.8
1965 27.5 18.8
1964 27.3 18.9
1963 27.1 18.9
1962 26.9 18.9
1961 26.8 19
1960 26.6 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Poland South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.31%
2022
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
4.15%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
189,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-6.59%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
68.5
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires
10
2025
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00003%
2025
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies
749
2024
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$8.69B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
88,515,000
2019
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.63%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
86.1%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Poland South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
2,639 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$18.4
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
276.1 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
7.55 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
84.6%
2023
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
15.2%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
3.47%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
48.8%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
4,382 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
17.5%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
2.23%
2023
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Poland South Africa
% of world population
0.45%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-330,820
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
60%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.4:51.6
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.93 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.44 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
77.3
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
53
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
83
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.8
2023
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
9.4
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
171
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
99.8%
2021
91.2%
2024
English speaking
49.1%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
88.6%
2024
75.7%
2023

Health

Poland South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$2,014
2024
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$326
2024
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
79.2 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.06%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
4.03
2023
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
28.4 years
2023
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
2
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
4.4
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
28.3%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
8.1%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
51
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
23.6%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.7 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Poland South Africa
% of world land
0.21%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
3,235 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
56,294 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
36,753 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
267,065 mi
2024
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) (2000–2019, 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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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