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Portugal vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Portugal has a population of 10.7M (ranked 90/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Portugal's land area is 35,369 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 108th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Portugal ranks 46/197 ($313B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Portugal ranks 44/197 ($29,292), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Portugal South Africa
Population
10667081
65683993
Population rank 92/197 24/197
GDP
$313B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 46/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$29,292
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 44/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,680
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$297B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.9%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$27,807
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 27/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,747
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 35,369 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
302 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
1.44
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
47.5 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Portugal and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Portugal and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Portugal South Africa
2024 $313,271,185,085 $401,144,998,374
2023 $292,323,800,949 $381,440,724,491
2022 $256,898,677,175 $407,596,043,068
2021 $256,055,879,091 $419,986,284,375
2020 $229,618,773,423 $337,974,655,408
2019 $240,115,970,063 $389,330,032,224
2018 $242,092,894,543 $405,260,723,893
2017 $220,862,990,767 $381,448,814,653
2016 $206,305,431,242 $323,585,509,674
2015 $199,038,523,120 $346,709,790,459
2014 $230,078,616,300 $381,198,869,776
2013 $226,677,408,292 $400,886,013,596
2012 $216,536,676,772 $434,400,545,086
2011 $245,426,767,676 $458,199,494,831
2010 $238,443,864,993 $417,363,822,802
2009 $244,667,762,836 $329,754,060,647
2008 $263,416,394,624 $316,131,258,616
2007 $240,496,147,317 $333,077,117,254
2006 $208,756,449,276 $303,858,675,364
2005 $197,253,876,705 $288,867,217,197
2004 $189,382,122,532 $255,806,908,595
2003 $165,226,175,537 $197,018,965,309
2002 $134,795,565,549 $129,087,556,612
2001 $121,604,107,165 $135,429,905,923
2000 $118,605,192,877 $151,752,757,215
1999 $127,470,385,557 $151,516,957,079
1998 $123,946,327,916 $152,982,984,557
1997 $117,016,535,163 $168,978,057,328
1996 $122,630,089,680 $163,234,925,381
1995 $118,122,007,430 $171,735,933,897
1994 $99,688,641,304 $153,512,712,382
1993 $95,009,751,901 $147,194,747,566
1992 $107,592,098,307 $146,956,150,987
1991 $89,233,599,278 $135,203,698,238
1990 $78,713,860,217 $126,048,140,142
1989 $60,594,092,182 $108,055,624,082
1988 $56,347,250,696 $103,976,831,871
1987 $48,182,925,857 $96,535,763,418
1986 $38,745,901,354 $73,354,771,399
1985 $27,115,807,742 $64,459,376,087
1984 $25,217,969,050 $84,870,163,366
1983 $27,239,650,742 $96,204,110,942
1982 $30,527,754,793 $85,904,057,409
1981 $31,977,276,873 $93,141,472,164
1980 $32,896,519,824 $89,411,864,402
1979 $26,622,819,672 $63,038,658,089
1978 $23,487,614,051 $51,607,412,902
1977 $21,439,523,311 $45,328,411,332
1976 $20,332,831,565 $41,150,460,288
1975 $19,347,607,843 $42,906,905,672
1974 $17,512,391,476 $41,389,186,095
1973 $15,090,564,186 $33,262,772,008
1972 $11,239,117,865 $24,515,919,217
1971 $9,201,604,240 $23,411,076,638
1970 $8,108,235,704 $21,218,391,513
1969 $7,287,555,035 $19,256,992,297
1968 $6,644,693,214 $17,124,793,150
1967 $6,002,607,030 $15,821,393,671
1966 $5,370,108,031 $14,211,394,315
1965 $4,901,711,248 $13,068,994,772
1964 $4,429,202,657 $11,955,995,218
1963 $4,084,251,593 $10,854,195,658
1962 $3,835,883,663 $9,813,996,074
1961 $3,573,719,085 $9,225,996,310
1960 $3,339,150,158 $8,748,596,501

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

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

Portugal and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Portugal South Africa
2024 $29,292 $6,267
2023 $27,635 $6,034
2022 $24,621 $6,534
2021 $24,711 $6,829
2020 $22,299 $5,581
2019 $23,343 $6,534
2018 $23,541 $6,914
2017 $21,442 $6,618
2016 $19,980 $5,651
2015 $19,216 $6,112
2014 $22,121 $6,857
2013 $21,676 $7,332
2012 $20,593 $8,077
2011 $23,247 $8,646
2010 $22,552 $7,973
2009 $23,151 $6,375
2008 $24,949 $6,185
2007 $22,811 $6,592
2006 $19,839 $6,077
2005 $18,780 $5,837
2004 $18,064 $5,221
2003 $15,798 $4,062
2002 $12,937 $2,688
2001 $11,735 $2,847
2000 $11,526 $3,218
1999 $12,475 $3,242
1998 $12,199 $3,310
1997 $11,576 $3,700
1996 $12,185 $3,618
1995 $11,781 $3,856
1994 $9,977 $3,489
1993 $9,535 $3,400
1992 $10,811 $3,462
1991 $8,959 $3,243
1990 $7,885 $3,093
1989 $6,056 $2,727
1988 $5,624 $2,702
1987 $4,804 $2,586
1986 $3,862 $2,027
1985 $2,705 $1,839
1984 $2,523 $2,504
1983 $2,735 $2,938
1982 $3,080 $2,717
1981 $3,246 $3,050
1980 $3,368 $3,029
1979 $2,756 $2,202
1978 $2,457 $1,852
1977 $2,267 $1,671
1976 $2,173 $1,559
1975 $2,128 $1,670
1974 $2,000 $1,656
1973 $1,748 $1,369
1972 $1,302 $1,038
1971 $1,065 $1,020
1970 $934 $952
1969 $832 $891
1968 $752 $817
1967 $676 $779
1966 $601 $722
1965 $545 $685
1964 $490 $646
1963 $452 $605
1962 $426 $563
1961 $400 $546
1960 $377 $532

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

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

Portugal vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Portugal South Africa
2026 82.9 66.7
2025 82.7 66.5
2024 82.6 66.3
2023 82.4 66.1
2022 81.2 65.5
2021 81.4 62
2020 81.4 65.2
2019 82 66.1
2018 81.6 65.7
2017 81.7 65.4
2016 81.4 64.7
2015 81.3 64.1
2014 81.3 63.2
2013 80.9 62.4
2012 80.6 61.7
2011 80.6 60.6
2010 80.1 58.9
2009 79.8 57.4
2008 79.6 56
2007 79.3 54.9
2006 79.1 54.2
2005 78.3 53.9
2004 78.4 54
2003 77.6 54.2
2002 77.4 55.6
2001 77.2 57.2
2000 76.8 58.4
1999 76.3 59.2
1998 76.1 59.9
1997 75.9 60.5
1996 75.5 61.1
1995 75.5 61.6
1994 75.7 62.1
1993 74.8 62.6
1992 74.9 62.8
1991 74.2 63
1990 74.3 62.9
1989 74.7 63
1988 74.1 62.9
1987 74.1 62.7
1986 73.6 62.4
1985 73.2 62.2
1984 72.9 61.8
1983 72.7 61.4
1982 72.7 60.9
1981 71.9 60.4
1980 71.7 60
1979 71.6 59.5
1978 70.8 59
1977 70.3 58.5
1976 69.1 58
1975 68.8 57.6
1974 69.1 57.1
1973 68.6 56.7
1972 69.2 56.4
1971 66.8 56
1970 67.1 55.7
1969 66.4 55.4
1968 66.8 55.2
1967 66.5 55
1966 65.6 54.7
1965 66.1 54.4
1964 65.1 54.2
1963 64.9 53.9
1962 64.3 53.6
1961 62.8 53.1
1960 64.1 52.6
1959 62.9 51.9
1958 63.7 51.1
1957 61.4 50.2
1956 61.2 49.2
1955 61.4 48.2
1954 62.2 47.1
1953 61.1 46.1
1952 59.8 45
1951 58.7 44.1
1950 58.5 43.1

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

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

Portugal and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Portugal South Africa
2024 10,694,681 64,007,187
2023 10,578,174 63,212,384
2022 10,434,332 62,378,410
2021 10,361,831 61,502,603
2020 10,297,081 60,562,381
2019 10,286,263 59,587,885
2018 10,283,822 58,613,001
2017 10,300,300 57,635,162
2016 10,325,452 57,259,551
2015 10,358,076 56,723,537
2014 10,401,062 55,594,838
2013 10,457,295 54,678,791
2012 10,514,844 53,782,567
2011 10,557,560 52,995,205
2010 10,573,100 52,344,051
2009 10,568,247 51,728,516
2008 10,558,177 51,114,599
2007 10,542,964 50,528,584
2006 10,522,288 49,998,277
2005 10,503,330 49,490,033
2004 10,483,861 48,991,421
2003 10,458,821 48,500,348
2002 10,419,631 48,019,415
2001 10,362,722 47,566,800
2000 10,289,898 47,159,719
1999 10,217,828 46,730,335
1998 10,160,196 46,223,880
1997 10,108,977 45,666,838
1996 10,063,945 45,123,018
1995 10,026,176 44,541,554
1994 9,991,525 44,004,139
1993 9,964,675 43,297,156
1992 9,952,494 42,443,509
1991 9,960,235 41,687,898
1990 9,983,218 40,746,268
1989 10,005,000 39,628,575
1988 10,019,610 38,480,649
1987 10,030,031 37,326,190
1986 10,032,734 36,180,515
1985 10,023,613 35,042,093
1984 9,996,232 33,892,788
1983 9,957,865 32,739,304
1982 9,911,771 31,615,339
1981 9,851,362 30,541,044
1980 9,766,312 29,518,857
1979 9,661,265 28,634,162
1978 9,558,250 27,869,507
1977 9,455,675 27,118,952
1976 9,355,810 26,395,450
1975 9,093,470 25,690,940
1974 8,754,365 24,989,108
1973 8,633,100 24,294,263
1972 8,630,430 23,609,456
1971 8,643,756 22,942,143
1970 8,680,431 22,279,984
1969 8,757,705 21,614,676
1968 8,836,650 20,957,287
1967 8,874,520 20,314,066
1966 8,930,990 19,690,087
1965 8,998,595 19,089,380
1964 9,035,365 18,511,361
1963 9,030,355 17,954,564
1962 8,993,985 17,418,522
1961 8,929,316 16,908,035
1960 8,857,716 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Portugal and South Africa

Fertility rate
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Portugal South Africa
2023 1.44 2.22
2022 1.43 2.23
2021 1.35 2.25
2020 1.42 2.26
2019 1.44 2.26
2018 1.42 2.27
2017 1.38 2.28
2016 1.37 2.26
2015 1.31 2.36
2014 1.24 2.42
2013 1.21 2.43
2012 1.28 2.45
2011 1.35 2.44
2010 1.39 2.44
2009 1.34 2.5
2008 1.39 2.68
2007 1.35 2.55
2006 1.37 2.55
2005 1.41 2.51
2004 1.4 2.44
2003 1.44 2.36
2002 1.46 2.32
2001 1.45 2.37
2000 1.55 2.41
1999 1.5 2.56
1998 1.47 2.63
1997 1.47 2.73
1996 1.44 2.99
1995 1.41 3.17
1994 1.45 3.26
1993 1.52 3.37
1992 1.54 3.48
1991 1.56 3.62
1990 1.56 3.72
1989 1.57 3.98
1988 1.61 4.18
1987 1.62 4.35
1986 1.66 4.41
1985 1.72 4.5
1984 1.9 4.57
1983 1.95 4.63
1982 2.07 4.7
1981 2.13 4.71
1980 2.25 4.78
1979 2.31 4.82
1978 2.45 4.85
1977 2.69 4.94
1976 2.82 5.07
1975 2.75 5.19
1974 2.7 5.3
1973 2.77 5.41
1972 2.86 5.49
1971 3 5.57
1970 3.01 5.63
1969 3.12 5.72
1968 3.12 5.78
1967 3.16 5.85
1966 3.16 5.91
1965 3.15 5.89
1964 3.21 5.96
1963 3.12 6.01
1962 3.23 6.05
1961 3.21 6.08
1960 3.16 6.11

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

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

Portugal and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Portugal

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Portugal South Africa
2024 47.5 29.5
2023 47.2 29.2
2022 46.8 28.9
2021 46.5 28.6
2020 46.1 28.3
2019 45.6 27.9
2018 45.2 27.5
2017 44.7 27
2016 44.3 26.7
2015 43.8 26.4
2014 43.4 26
2013 42.9 25.7
2012 42.4 25.3
2011 41.9 25
2010 41.5 24.6
2009 41 24.3
2008 40.6 24
2007 40.2 23.8
2006 39.8 23.5
2005 39.4 23.3
2004 39 23.1
2003 38.6 22.8
2002 38.3 22.4
2001 38 22.2
2000 37.7 21.9
1999 37.4 21.6
1998 37.1 21.4
1997 36.8 21.2
1996 36.4 21.2
1995 36.1 21.5
1994 35.7 22
1993 35.4 21.9
1992 35 21.5
1991 34.6 21.5
1990 34.2 21.3
1989 33.7 21.1
1988 33.3 20.9
1987 32.9 20.7
1986 32.5 20.5
1985 32.1 20.4
1984 31.7 20.2
1983 31.4 20
1982 31.1 19.8
1981 30.8 19.6
1980 30.6 19.4
1979 30.3 19.3
1978 30 19.2
1977 29.9 19.1
1976 29.8 19
1975 29.7 18.9
1974 29.7 18.9
1973 29.6 18.8
1972 29.6 18.8
1971 29.7 18.8
1970 29.6 18.8
1969 29.4 18.8
1968 29.2 18.8
1967 29.1 18.8
1966 29 18.8
1965 28.8 18.8
1964 28.7 18.9
1963 28.5 18.9
1962 28.3 18.9
1961 28.1 19
1960 27.9 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Portugal South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$288B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.8%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.55%
2022
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.53%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
52,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+0.7%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.43%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
66.3%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
71.2
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.9%
2023
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2023
0.9%
2014
Number of millionaires
171,797
2025
90,595
2025
Percentage of millionaires
1.95%
2025
0.22%
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
7
2025
Percentage of billionaires
0.00001%
2025
0.00002%
2025
Listed domestic companies
40
2018
220
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$61.9B
2018
$986B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$42.4B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$1.84B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
4,208,000
2020
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
12.2%
2020
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
91.4%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Portugal South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,853 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$26.6
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
35.6 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
3.32 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
63.1%
2023
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
32.3%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
14.9%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
77.2%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
5,146 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
64.9%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
30.3%
2023
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
100%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Portugal South Africa
% of world population
0.13%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
+16,472
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
61.3%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
47.6:52.4
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.72 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
78
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
87
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.8
2021
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
8.2
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
172
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
96.8%
2021
91.2%
2024
English speaking
27.3%
2023
31%
2023
People using the Internet
88.5%
2024
75.7%
2023

Health

Portugal South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$2,971
2024
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$838
2024
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
82.9 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
0.07%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
5.85
2022
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
30.2 years
2023
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
15
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
3.2
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
22.5%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
10.5%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
82
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
25.6%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
8.88 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Portugal South Africa
% of world land
0.06%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
3,307 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
15,328 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
12,788 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length n/a
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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