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Senegal vs South Africa statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Senegal has a population of 18.5M (ranked 69/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Senegal's land area is 74,336 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 85th vs. 24th).

By GDP, Senegal ranks 109/197 ($32.8B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Senegal ranks 159/197 ($1,773), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).

Main facts and rankings

Senegal South Africa
Population
19491599
65683993
Population rank 68/197 24/197
GDP
$32.8B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank 109/197 40/197
GDP per capita
$1,773
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank 159/197 111/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,071
2024
$15,456
2024
Government debt
$42.1B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
128.4%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,277
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank 115/185 83/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$15,431
2026
Land area 74,336 sq mi 468,377 sq mi
Population density
260.6 ppl/mi²
2026
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.82
2023
2.22
2023
Median age
20.4 years
2024
29.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.4 years
2026
66.7 years
2026

Senegal and South Africa: Comparison Charts

Senegal and South Africa economies compared

GDP
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year GDP
Senegal South Africa
2024 $32,808,056,601 $401,144,998,374
2023 $30,696,331,296 $381,440,724,491
2022 $27,783,332,223 $407,596,043,068
2021 $27,520,784,130 $419,986,284,375
2020 $24,530,513,038 $337,974,655,408
2019 $23,403,995,992 $389,330,032,224
2018 $23,116,701,556 $405,260,723,893
2017 $20,996,562,944 $381,448,814,653
2016 $19,040,312,333 $323,585,509,674
2015 $17,774,766,696 $346,709,790,459
2014 $19,797,253,440 $381,198,869,776
2013 $18,918,667,725 $400,886,013,596
2012 $17,660,870,412 $434,400,545,086
2011 $17,814,283,639 $458,199,494,831
2010 $16,121,315,909 $417,363,822,802
2009 $16,145,867,495 $329,754,060,647
2008 $16,853,989,628 $316,131,258,616
2007 $13,994,218,413 $333,077,117,254
2006 $11,697,918,243 $303,858,675,364
2005 $11,009,033,438 $288,867,217,197
2004 $10,076,816,667 $255,806,908,595
2003 $8,768,721,563 $197,018,965,309
2002 $7,006,402,320 $129,087,556,612
2001 $6,507,824,829 $135,429,905,923
2000 $6,013,185,004 $151,752,757,215
1999 $6,592,834,933 $151,516,957,079
1998 $6,505,607,909 $152,982,984,557
1997 $6,041,478,726 $168,978,057,328
1996 $6,559,712,166 $163,234,925,381
1995 $6,326,342,633 $171,735,933,897
1994 $5,034,588,196 $153,512,712,382
1993 $7,367,986,241 $147,194,747,566
1992 $7,769,817,840 $146,956,150,987
1991 $7,255,210,470 $135,203,698,238
1990 $7,390,967,360 $126,048,140,142
1989 $6,366,039,373 $108,055,624,082
1988 $6,418,419,389 $103,976,831,871
1987 $6,487,353,103 $96,535,763,418
1986 $5,392,093,446 $73,354,771,399
1985 $3,818,944,918 $64,459,376,087
1984 $3,485,165,432 $84,870,163,366
1983 $3,569,356,125 $96,204,110,942
1982 $4,013,951,443 $85,904,057,409
1981 $4,095,892,781 $93,141,472,164
1980 $4,510,108,291 $89,411,864,402
1979 $4,084,877,823 $63,038,658,089
1978 $3,280,354,921 $51,607,412,902
1977 $2,938,046,463 $45,328,411,332
1976 $2,869,777,884 $41,150,460,288
1975 $2,830,388,405 $42,906,905,672
1974 $2,099,325,229 $41,389,186,095
1973 $1,863,398,590 $33,262,772,008
1972 $1,620,857,104 $24,515,919,217
1971 $1,339,549,033 $23,411,076,638
1970 $1,297,407,655 $21,218,391,513
1969 $1,245,234,931 $19,256,992,297
1968 $1,309,384,862 $17,124,793,150
1967 $1,246,480,766 $15,821,393,671
1966 $1,246,908,186 $14,211,394,315
1965 $1,210,058,228 $13,068,994,772
1964 $1,188,930,645 $11,955,995,218
1963 $1,122,139,862 $10,854,195,658
1962 $1,085,475,791 $9,813,996,074
1961 $1,058,975,257 $9,225,996,310
1960 $1,003,692,370 $8,748,596,501

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

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

Senegal and South Africa economies compared

GDP per capita
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year GDP per capita
Senegal South Africa
2024 $1,773 $6,267
2023 $1,698 $6,034
2022 $1,574 $6,534
2021 $1,598 $6,829
2020 $1,461 $5,581
2019 $1,431 $6,534
2018 $1,453 $6,914
2017 $1,357 $6,618
2016 $1,266 $5,651
2015 $1,218 $6,112
2014 $1,399 $6,857
2013 $1,380 $7,332
2012 $1,327 $8,077
2011 $1,375 $8,646
2010 $1,276 $7,973
2009 $1,309 $6,375
2008 $1,399 $6,185
2007 $1,189 $6,592
2006 $1,017 $6,077
2005 $980 $5,837
2004 $918 $5,221
2003 $818 $4,062
2002 $669 $2,688
2001 $637 $2,847
2000 $603 $3,218
1999 $678 $3,242
1998 $685 $3,310
1997 $651 $3,700
1996 $723 $3,618
1995 $715 $3,856
1994 $584 $3,489
1993 $878 $3,400
1992 $951 $3,462
1991 $913 $3,243
1990 $957 $3,093
1989 $849 $2,727
1988 $880 $2,702
1987 $916 $2,586
1986 $784 $2,027
1985 $571 $1,839
1984 $536 $2,504
1983 $564 $2,938
1982 $652 $2,717
1981 $683 $3,050
1980 $772 $3,029
1979 $716 $2,202
1978 $589 $1,852
1977 $540 $1,671
1976 $541 $1,559
1975 $547 $1,670
1974 $417 $1,656
1973 $381 $1,369
1972 $342 $1,038
1971 $291.1 $1,020
1970 $290.5 $952
1969 $287.3 $891
1968 $311 $817
1967 $305 $779
1966 $315 $722
1965 $314 $685
1964 $318 $646
1963 $309 $605
1962 $307 $563
1961 $308 $546
1960 $300 $532

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

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

Senegal vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Senegal South Africa
2026 69.4 66.7
2025 69.2 66.5
2024 68.9 66.3
2023 68.7 66.1
2022 67.8 65.5
2021 66.9 62
2020 67.5 65.2
2019 67.7 66.1
2018 67.4 65.7
2017 67.1 65.4
2016 66.7 64.7
2015 66.5 64.1
2014 66 63.2
2013 65.6 62.4
2012 65.2 61.7
2011 64.8 60.6
2010 64.2 58.9
2009 63.8 57.4
2008 63.2 56
2007 62.7 54.9
2006 61.8 54.2
2005 61 53.9
2004 60.3 54
2003 59.5 54.2
2002 58.9 55.6
2001 58.2 57.2
2000 57.6 58.4
1999 57.3 59.2
1998 57.1 59.9
1997 57.1 60.5
1996 57.1 61.1
1995 57.3 61.6
1994 57.5 62.1
1993 57.3 62.6
1992 57.3 62.8
1991 57 63
1990 56.7 62.9
1989 56.2 63
1988 55.5 62.9
1987 54.6 62.7
1986 53.7 62.4
1985 52.6 62.2
1984 51.7 61.8
1983 50.8 61.4
1982 49.9 60.9
1981 49.1 60.4
1980 48.3 60
1979 47.5 59.5
1978 46.6 59
1977 45.7 58.5
1976 44.8 58
1975 43.9 57.6
1974 43.1 57.1
1973 42.4 56.7
1972 41.8 56.4
1971 41.2 56
1970 40.8 55.7
1969 40.4 55.4
1968 40.1 55.2
1967 40 55
1966 39.8 54.7
1965 39.8 54.4
1964 39.8 54.2
1963 39.7 53.9
1962 39.7 53.6
1961 39.7 53.1
1960 39.7 52.6
1959 39.5 51.9
1958 39.4 51.1
1957 39.1 50.2
1956 38.9 49.2
1955 38.5 48.2
1954 38.2 47.1
1953 37.8 46.1
1952 37.4 45
1951 36.9 44.1
1950 36.5 43.1

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

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

Senegal and South Africa population clocks and comparison

Population
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year Population
Senegal South Africa
2024 18,501,984 64,007,187
2023 18,077,573 63,212,384
2022 17,651,103 62,378,410
2021 17,220,867 61,502,603
2020 16,789,219 60,562,381
2019 16,352,922 59,587,885
2018 15,914,498 58,613,001
2017 15,475,002 57,635,162
2016 15,034,521 57,259,551
2015 14,593,331 56,723,537
2014 14,152,102 55,594,838
2013 13,710,849 54,678,791
2012 13,310,495 53,782,567
2011 12,958,897 52,995,205
2010 12,635,413 52,344,051
2009 12,337,389 51,728,516
2008 12,048,959 51,114,599
2007 11,770,344 50,528,584
2006 11,500,094 49,998,277
2005 11,235,472 49,490,033
2004 10,975,704 48,991,421
2003 10,721,176 48,500,348
2002 10,466,214 48,019,415
2001 10,212,942 47,566,800
2000 9,968,260 47,159,719
1999 9,730,887 46,730,335
1998 9,502,952 46,223,880
1997 9,283,495 45,666,838
1996 9,067,014 45,123,018
1995 8,848,101 44,541,554
1994 8,624,078 44,004,139
1993 8,396,288 43,297,156
1992 8,168,395 42,443,509
1991 7,943,085 41,687,898
1990 7,720,523 40,746,268
1989 7,502,207 39,628,575
1988 7,289,618 38,480,649
1987 7,081,530 37,326,190
1986 6,878,192 36,180,515
1985 6,683,287 35,042,093
1984 6,499,364 33,892,788
1983 6,324,504 32,739,304
1982 6,156,961 31,615,339
1981 5,997,160 30,541,044
1980 5,845,638 29,518,857
1979 5,702,895 28,634,162
1978 5,568,096 27,869,507
1977 5,439,549 27,118,952
1976 5,308,564 26,395,450
1975 5,170,810 25,690,940
1974 5,029,437 24,989,108
1973 4,885,181 24,294,263
1972 4,741,631 23,609,456
1971 4,601,864 22,942,143
1970 4,466,328 22,279,984
1969 4,334,974 21,614,676
1968 4,207,587 20,957,287
1967 4,083,870 20,314,066
1966 3,964,299 19,690,087
1965 3,849,788 19,089,380
1964 3,740,535 18,511,361
1963 3,635,876 17,954,564
1962 3,534,686 17,418,522
1961 3,436,375 16,908,035
1960 3,340,907 16,440,172

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

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

Fertility rates in Senegal and South Africa

Fertility rate
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year Fertility rate
Senegal South Africa
2023 3.82 2.22
2022 3.86 2.23
2021 3.94 2.25
2020 4 2.26
2019 4.1 2.26
2018 4.29 2.27
2017 4.49 2.28
2016 4.65 2.26
2015 4.75 2.36
2014 4.88 2.42
2013 5.05 2.43
2012 5.13 2.45
2011 5.1 2.44
2010 5.06 2.44
2009 5.03 2.5
2008 5.02 2.68
2007 5.02 2.55
2006 5.06 2.55
2005 5.13 2.51
2004 5.19 2.44
2003 5.25 2.36
2002 5.3 2.32
2001 5.4 2.37
2000 5.5 2.41
1999 5.57 2.56
1998 5.58 2.63
1997 5.64 2.73
1996 5.72 2.99
1995 5.82 3.17
1994 5.92 3.26
1993 6.05 3.37
1992 6.15 3.48
1991 6.27 3.62
1990 6.4 3.72
1989 6.48 3.98
1988 6.58 4.18
1987 6.79 4.35
1986 6.9 4.41
1985 7.01 4.5
1984 7.11 4.57
1983 7.19 4.63
1982 7.25 4.7
1981 7.28 4.71
1980 7.29 4.78
1979 7.29 4.82
1978 7.28 4.85
1977 7.27 4.94
1976 7.26 5.07
1975 7.25 5.19
1974 7.25 5.3
1973 7.26 5.41
1972 7.26 5.49
1971 7.26 5.57
1970 7.26 5.63
1969 7.26 5.72
1968 7.25 5.78
1967 7.24 5.85
1966 7.22 5.91
1965 7.19 5.89
1964 7.16 5.96
1963 7.12 6.01
1962 7.08 6.05
1961 7.04 6.08
1960 7 6.11

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

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

Senegal and South Africa demographics compared

Median age
Senegal

South Africa
1x
Year Median age, years
Senegal South Africa
2024 20.4 29.5
2023 20.1 29.2
2022 19.9 28.9
2021 19.7 28.6
2020 19.4 28.3
2019 19.2 27.9
2018 19 27.5
2017 18.9 27
2016 18.7 26.7
2015 18.6 26.4
2014 18.6 26
2013 18.5 25.7
2012 18.5 25.3
2011 18.5 25
2010 18.5 24.6
2009 18.4 24.3
2008 18.4 24
2007 18.3 23.8
2006 18.2 23.5
2005 18.2 23.3
2004 18.1 23.1
2003 18 22.8
2002 17.8 22.4
2001 17.7 22.2
2000 17.6 21.9
1999 17.5 21.6
1998 17.4 21.4
1997 17.3 21.2
1996 17.2 21.2
1995 17.1 21.5
1994 17 22
1993 16.9 21.9
1992 16.8 21.5
1991 16.7 21.5
1990 16.6 21.3
1989 16.5 21.1
1988 16.4 20.9
1987 16.3 20.7
1986 16.3 20.5
1985 16.3 20.4
1984 16.3 20.2
1983 16.4 20
1982 16.5 19.8
1981 16.7 19.6
1980 16.8 19.4
1979 17 19.3
1978 17.2 19.2
1977 17.4 19.1
1976 17.6 19
1975 17.7 18.9
1974 17.8 18.9
1973 17.9 18.8
1972 17.9 18.8
1971 17.9 18.8
1970 17.9 18.8
1969 17.9 18.8
1968 17.9 18.8
1967 17.9 18.8
1966 17.8 18.8
1965 17.9 18.8
1964 17.9 18.9
1963 17.9 18.9
1962 18 18.9
1961 18 19
1960 18.1 19

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Senegal South Africa
GNI, Atlas method
$31.1B
2024
$391B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
33%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.16%
2023
6.02%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
0.7%
2024
Armed forces personnel
19,000
2020
89,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-5.79%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.78%
2024
32.3%
2024
Services, % of GDP
48.4%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25%
2024
24.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
53.2
2026
58.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.8%
2021
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
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
$3.75B
2024
$855M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,376,000
2017
3,886,600
2020
International tourism as share of exports
10.5%
2018
2.89%
2020
Banked people share
76.5%
2024
81.1%
2024

Energy

Senegal South Africa
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
291.1 kg
2023
1,939 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$16.4
2023
$7.84
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
14.2 megatons
2024
440 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.77 tons
2024
6.88 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
63.2%
2022
93.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
35.4%
2021
9.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
1.58%
2023
3.58%
2023
Net energy imports use share
69%
2023
-12.5%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita
410 kWh
2023
3,247 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
13.3%
2021
6.45%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
2.91%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
3.73%
2023
Electricity access
74.2%
2023
87.7%
2023

Society

Senegal South Africa
% of world population
0.23%
2024
0.79%
2024
Annual migration change
-12,636
2025
+146,370
2025
Urban population
55.2%
2024
63.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.8:49.2
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.78 ft
2025
5.56 ft
2025
Average female height
5.38 ft
2025
5.2 ft
2025
Quality of life index
34.2
2026
42.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
46
2025
41
2025
Higher education index
55
2026
81
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0.3
2015
45.5
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
23.5
2019
22.2
2019
Visa free countries
66
2025
109
2025
Adult literacy rate
50.4%
2023
91.2%
2024
English speaking
2%
2025
31%
2023
People using the Internet
60.6%
2023
75.7%
2023

Health

Senegal South Africa
Government health expenditure per capita
$73.2
2023
$537
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$32.5
2023
$35.9
2023
Life expectancy
69.4 years
2026
66.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
16.8%
2023
2.06%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.11
2023
0.79
2022
Age at first childbirth
21.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
237
2023
118
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
38.5
2023
34.7
2023
Obesity rate
10.3%
2022
31.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
3.8%
2024
7.2%
2024
Air quality index
23
2026
39
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
6.5%
2022
20.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.38 liters
2020
7.13 liters
2020

Territory

Senegal South Africa
% of world land
0.13%
2026
0.81%
2026
Land area per capita
4,018 sq mi
2024
7,318 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
36,722 sq mi
2026
371,975 sq mi
2026
Forest area
30,688 sq mi
2026
65,409 sq mi
2026
Roads length
10,355 mi
2017
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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