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South Africa vs Tonga statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

South Africa has a population of 64M (ranked 24/197), compared with 104K in Tonga (ranked 183/197). South Africa's land area is 468,377 sq mi versus 278 sq mi for Tonga (ranked 24th vs. 176th).

By GDP, South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B) and Tonga ranks 191/197 ($591M). By GDP per capita, South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267), while Tonga ranks 115/197 ($5,652).

Main facts and rankings

South Africa Tonga
Population
65683993
103309
Population rank 24/197 183/197
GDP
$401B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank 40/197 191/197
GDP per capita
$6,267
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank 111/197 115/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$7,803
2023
Government debt
$305B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,761
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank 83/185 111/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$15,431
2026
$3,886
2026
Land area 468,377 sq mi 278 sq mi
Population density
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
372 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.22
2023
3.13
2023
Median age
29.5 years
2024
21.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.7 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

South Africa and Tonga: Comparison Charts

South Africa and Tonga economies compared

GDP
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year GDP
South Africa Tonga
2024 $401,144,998,374 -
2023 $381,440,724,491 $591,139,749
2022 $407,596,043,068 $556,514,555
2021 $419,986,284,375 $519,306,353
2020 $337,974,655,408 $506,571,468
2019 $389,330,032,224 $506,031,239
2018 $405,260,723,893 $493,530,783
2017 $381,448,814,653 $459,976,850
2016 $323,585,509,674 $420,828,262
2015 $346,709,790,459 $437,525,514
2014 $381,198,869,776 $440,997,738
2013 $400,886,013,596 $451,788,498
2012 $434,400,545,086 $471,122,971
2011 $458,199,494,831 $414,143,828
2010 $417,363,822,802 $366,887,375
2009 $329,754,060,647 $312,415,028
2008 $316,131,258,616 $344,438,844
2007 $333,077,117,254 $298,519,623
2006 $303,858,675,364 $292,232,703
2005 $288,867,217,197 $261,823,805
2004 $255,806,908,595 $230,678,011
2003 $197,018,965,309 $202,246,591
2002 $129,087,556,612 $182,764,281
2001 $135,429,905,923 $181,117,230
2000 $151,752,757,215 $204,848,488
1999 $151,516,957,079 $199,208,718
1998 $152,982,984,557 $191,504,893
1997 $168,978,057,328 $214,991,452
1996 $163,234,925,381 $222,100,576
1995 $171,735,933,897 $208,871,666
1994 $153,512,712,382 $195,990,986
1993 $147,194,747,566 $138,489,884
1992 $146,956,150,987 $137,066,291
1991 $135,203,698,238 $132,201,141
1990 $126,048,140,142 $113,563,822
1989 $108,055,624,082 $106,344,855
1988 $103,976,831,871 $106,657,267
1987 $96,535,763,418 $81,667,133
1986 $73,354,771,399 $68,195,856
1985 $64,459,376,087 $60,058,663
1984 $84,870,163,366 $64,248,355
1983 $96,204,110,942 $60,863,964
1982 $85,904,057,409 $62,068,161
1981 $93,141,472,164 $62,242,013
1980 $89,411,864,402 $53,260,077
1979 $63,038,658,089 $44,667,002
1978 $51,607,412,902 $41,567,472
1977 $45,328,411,332 $34,139,388
1976 $41,150,460,288 $30,036,417
1975 $42,906,905,672 $32,506,742
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/south-africa/tonga | CC BY

South Africa and Tonga economies compared

GDP per capita
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year GDP per capita
South Africa Tonga
2024 $6,267 -
2023 $6,034 $5,652
2022 $6,534 $5,298
2021 $6,829 $4,923
2020 $5,581 $4,792
2019 $6,534 $4,789
2018 $6,914 $4,675
2017 $6,618 $4,366
2016 $5,651 $3,988
2015 $6,112 $4,124
2014 $6,857 $4,137
2013 $7,332 $4,219
2012 $8,077 $4,384
2011 $8,646 $3,850
2010 $7,973 $3,416
2009 $6,375 $2,914
2008 $6,185 $3,218
2007 $6,592 $2,797
2006 $6,077 $2,750
2005 $5,837 $2,478
2004 $5,221 $2,195
2003 $4,062 $1,936
2002 $2,688 $1,759
2001 $2,847 $1,754
2000 $3,218 $1,995
1999 $3,242 $1,952
1998 $3,310 $1,889
1997 $3,700 $2,136
1996 $3,618 $2,215
1995 $3,856 $2,084
1994 $3,489 $1,957
1993 $3,400 $1,383
1992 $3,462 $1,370
1991 $3,243 $1,323
1990 $3,093 $1,139
1989 $2,727 $1,070
1988 $2,702 $1,078
1987 $2,586 $830
1986 $2,027 $696
1985 $1,839 $613
1984 $2,504 $656
1983 $2,938 $621
1982 $2,717 $633
1981 $3,050 $636
1980 $3,029 $545
1979 $2,202 $458
1978 $1,852 $428
1977 $1,671 $353
1976 $1,559 $315
1975 $1,670 $349
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/south-africa/tonga | CC BY

South Africa vs. Tonga life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
South Africa Tonga
2026 66.7 73.4
2025 66.5 73.2
2024 66.3 73.1
2023 66.1 72.9
2022 65.5 72.6
2021 62 72.1
2020 65.2 72.4
2019 66.1 72.3
2018 65.7 72.2
2017 65.4 72.1
2016 64.7 72
2015 64.1 71.9
2014 63.2 71.7
2013 62.4 71.6
2012 61.7 71.5
2011 60.6 71.4
2010 58.9 71.3
2009 57.4 70.9
2008 56 71
2007 54.9 70.9
2006 54.2 70.7
2005 53.9 70.6
2004 54 70.4
2003 54.2 70.2
2002 55.6 70
2001 57.2 69.8
2000 58.4 69.6
1999 59.2 69.4
1998 59.9 69.2
1997 60.5 69
1996 61.1 68.8
1995 61.6 68.6
1994 62.1 68.4
1993 62.6 68.2
1992 62.8 67.9
1991 63 67.7
1990 62.9 67.5
1989 63 67.4
1988 62.9 67.3
1987 62.7 67.2
1986 62.4 67.1
1985 62.2 66.9
1984 61.8 66.8
1983 61.4 66.7
1982 60.9 66.3
1981 60.4 66.4
1980 60 66.2
1979 59.5 66
1978 59 65.9
1977 58.5 65.6
1976 58 65.4
1975 57.6 65.1
1974 57.1 64.8
1973 56.7 64.4
1972 56.4 64.1
1971 56 63.6
1970 55.7 63.2
1969 55.4 62.7
1968 55.2 62.2
1967 55 61.7
1966 54.7 61.2
1965 54.4 60.7
1964 54.2 60.3
1963 53.9 59.8
1962 53.6 59.3
1961 53.1 58.8
1960 52.6 58.3
1959 51.9 57.8
1958 51.1 57.2
1957 50.2 56.5
1956 49.2 55.7
1955 48.2 54.7
1954 47.1 53.6
1953 46.1 52.4
1952 45 51.2
1951 44.1 49.8
1950 43.1 48.4

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

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

South Africa and Tonga population clocks and comparison

Population
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year Population
South Africa Tonga
2024 64,007,187 104,175
2023 63,212,384 104,597
2022 62,378,410 105,042
2021 61,502,603 105,490
2020 60,562,381 105,704
2019 59,587,885 105,669
2018 58,613,001 105,567
2017 57,635,162 105,356
2016 57,259,551 105,524
2015 56,723,537 106,095
2014 55,594,838 106,609
2013 54,678,791 107,078
2012 53,782,567 107,460
2011 52,995,205 107,570
2010 52,344,051 107,400
2009 51,728,516 107,203
2008 51,114,599 107,020
2007 50,528,584 106,726
2006 49,998,277 106,253
2005 49,490,033 105,671
2004 48,991,421 105,071
2003 48,500,348 104,464
2002 48,019,415 103,874
2001 47,566,800 103,288
2000 47,159,719 102,677
1999 46,730,335 102,046
1998 46,223,880 101,388
1997 45,666,838 100,674
1996 45,123,018 100,275
1995 44,541,554 100,225
1994 44,004,139 100,166
1993 43,297,156 100,103
1992 42,443,509 100,022
1991 41,687,898 99,895
1990 40,746,268 99,700
1989 39,628,575 99,403
1988 38,480,649 98,969
1987 37,326,190 98,376
1986 36,180,515 98,010
1985 35,042,093 97,984
1984 33,892,788 97,990
1983 32,739,304 97,998
1982 31,615,339 97,980
1981 30,541,044 97,909
1980 29,518,857 97,769
1979 28,634,162 97,544
1978 27,869,507 97,204
1977 27,118,952 96,725
1976 26,395,450 95,325
1975 25,690,940 93,017
1974 24,989,108 90,683
1973 24,294,263 88,805
1972 23,609,456 87,356
1971 22,942,143 85,896
1970 22,279,984 84,401
1969 21,614,676 82,885
1968 20,957,287 81,353
1967 20,314,066 79,814
1966 19,690,087 78,002
1965 19,089,380 75,924
1964 18,511,361 73,879
1963 17,954,564 71,885
1962 17,418,522 69,940
1961 16,908,035 68,037
1960 16,440,172 66,170

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

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

Fertility rates in South Africa and Tonga

Fertility rate
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Africa Tonga
2023 2.22 3.13
2022 2.23 3.17
2021 2.25 3.2
2020 2.26 3.23
2019 2.26 3.27
2018 2.27 3.33
2017 2.28 3.39
2016 2.26 3.46
2015 2.36 3.54
2014 2.42 3.62
2013 2.43 3.7
2012 2.45 3.77
2011 2.44 3.83
2010 2.44 3.88
2009 2.5 3.95
2008 2.68 4.01
2007 2.55 4.09
2006 2.55 4.14
2005 2.51 4.2
2004 2.44 4.19
2003 2.36 4.18
2002 2.32 4.14
2001 2.37 4.13
2000 2.41 4.16
1999 2.56 4.23
1998 2.63 4.31
1997 2.73 4.38
1996 2.99 4.46
1995 3.17 4.56
1994 3.26 4.66
1993 3.37 4.73
1992 3.48 4.79
1991 3.62 4.85
1990 3.72 4.93
1989 3.98 5.01
1988 4.18 5.1
1987 4.35 5.19
1986 4.41 5.27
1985 4.5 5.34
1984 4.57 5.41
1983 4.63 5.45
1982 4.7 5.5
1981 4.71 5.55
1980 4.78 5.6
1979 4.82 5.65
1978 4.85 5.68
1977 4.94 5.7
1976 5.07 5.73
1975 5.19 5.75
1974 5.3 5.77
1973 5.41 5.8
1972 5.49 5.86
1971 5.57 5.96
1970 5.63 6.07
1969 5.72 6.17
1968 5.78 6.23
1967 5.85 6.29
1966 5.91 6.35
1965 5.89 6.41
1964 5.96 6.46
1963 6.01 6.52
1962 6.05 6.57
1961 6.08 6.61
1960 6.11 6.65

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

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

South Africa and Tonga demographics compared

Median age
South Africa

Tonga
1x
Year Median age, years
South Africa Tonga
2024 29.5 21.9
2023 29.2 21.9
2022 28.9 22
2021 28.6 22.1
2020 28.3 22.1
2019 27.9 22
2018 27.5 22
2017 27 21.9
2016 26.7 21.9
2015 26.4 21.8
2014 26 21.7
2013 25.7 21.6
2012 25.3 21.4
2011 25 21.2
2010 24.6 21.2
2009 24.3 21.1
2008 24 21
2007 23.8 20.9
2006 23.5 20.8
2005 23.3 20.8
2004 23.1 20.8
2003 22.8 20.8
2002 22.4 20.7
2001 22.2 20.5
2000 21.9 20.3
1999 21.6 20.1
1998 21.4 19.9
1997 21.2 19.7
1996 21.2 19.6
1995 21.5 19.6
1994 22 19.6
1993 21.9 19.6
1992 21.5 19.5
1991 21.5 19.3
1990 21.3 19.1
1989 21.1 18.9
1988 20.9 18.6
1987 20.7 18.3
1986 20.5 18.2
1985 20.4 18.1
1984 20.2 18
1983 20 17.9
1982 19.8 17.8
1981 19.6 17.6
1980 19.4 17.4
1979 19.3 17.3
1978 19.2 17.1
1977 19.1 16.8
1976 19 16.7
1975 18.9 16.7
1974 18.9 16.8
1973 18.8 16.8
1972 18.8 16.7
1971 18.8 16.7
1970 18.8 16.8
1969 18.8 16.8
1968 18.8 16.9
1967 18.8 17
1966 18.8 17
1965 18.8 17
1964 18.9 17
1963 18.9 17
1962 18.9 17.1
1961 19 17.1
1960 19 17.1

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

South Africa Tonga
GNI, Atlas method
$391B
2024
$619M
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
51.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.02%
2024
5.15%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.7%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
89,000
2020
n/a
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-5.79%
2024
+4.17%
2024
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
1.65%
2023
Services, % of GDP
63%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
14.9%
2023
Economic freedom index
58.6
2026
58.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
50.5%
2014
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
0.9%
2014
4%
2021
Number of millionaires
90,595
2025
n/a
Percentage of millionaires
0.22%
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2025
n/a
Percentage of billionaires
0.00002%
2025
n/a
Listed domestic companies
220
2024
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$986B
2024
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$65.4B
2024
$377M
2024
Personal remittances received
$855M
2024
$254M
2024
International tourist arrivals
3,886,600
2020
94,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
2.89%
2020
50.3%
2020
Banked people share
81.1%
2024
n/a

Energy

South Africa Tonga
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,939 kg
2023
543 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$7.84
2023
$7.94
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
440 megatons
2024
0.17 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.88 tons
2024
1.63 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
93.3%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
9.7%
2021
2.3%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
3.58%
2023
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-12.5%
2023
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
3,247 kWh
2023
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
6.45%
2021
14.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
2.91%
2023
0%
2021
Nuclear share
3.73%
2023
0%
2021
Electricity access
87.7%
2023
100%
2023

Society

South Africa Tonga
% of world population
0.79%
2024
0.001%
2024
Annual migration change
+146,370
2025
-2,150
2025
Urban population
63.7%
2024
21.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
47.2:52.8
2024
Average male height
5.56 ft
2025
5.74 ft
2025
Average female height
5.2 ft
2025
5.45 ft
2025
Quality of life index
42.1
2026
45.5
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
41
2025
50
2025
Higher education index
81
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
45.5
2022
0.95
2019
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.2
2019
33
2019
Visa free countries
109
2025
126
2025
Adult literacy rate
91.2%
2024
99.4%
2021
English speaking
31%
2023
30%
2023
People using the Internet
75.7%
2023
58.5%
2023

Health

South Africa Tonga
Government health expenditure per capita
$537
2023
$358
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$35.9
2023
$21
2023
Life expectancy
66.7 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
2.06%
2023
44.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.79
2022
1.01
2021
Age at first childbirth n/a
24.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
118
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
34.7
2023
9.9
2023
Obesity rate
31.4%
2022
72.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
7.2%
2024
19.6%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20.7%
2022
31.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.13 liters
2020
0.36 liters
2020

Territory

South Africa Tonga
% of world land
0.81%
2026
0.0005%
2026
Land area per capita
7,318 sq mi
2024
2,669 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
371,975 sq mi
2026
135.1 sq mi
2026
Forest area
65,409 sq mi
2026
34.6 sq mi
2026
Roads length
466,028 mi
2016
423 mi
2011

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 (2023–2024, 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  10. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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