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South Africa vs Vanuatu statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

South Africa has a population of 64M (ranked 24/197), compared with 328K in Vanuatu (ranked 174/197). South Africa's land area is 468,377 sq mi versus 4,707 sq mi for Vanuatu (ranked 24th vs. 157th).

By GDP, South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B) and Vanuatu ranks 188/197 ($1.12B). By GDP per capita, South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267), while Vanuatu ranks 137/197 ($3,411).

Main facts and rankings

South Africa Vanuatu
Population
65683993
344750
Population rank 24/197 174/197
GDP
$401B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank 40/197 188/197
GDP per capita
$6,267
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank 111/197 137/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$3,606
2024
Government debt
$305B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,761
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank 83/185 131/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$15,431
2026
$3,164
2026
Land area 468,377 sq mi 4,707 sq mi
Population density
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026
72.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.22
2023
3.6
2023
Median age
29.5 years
2024
21.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.7 years
2026
72 years
2026

South Africa and Vanuatu: Comparison Charts

South Africa and Vanuatu economies compared

GDP
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP
South Africa Vanuatu
2024 $401,144,998,374 $1,117,972,034
2023 $381,440,724,491 $1,115,861,056
2022 $407,596,043,068 $1,055,031,361
2021 $419,986,284,375 $950,394,007
2020 $337,974,655,408 $909,421,044
2019 $389,330,032,224 $936,526,268
2018 $405,260,723,893 $914,727,908
2017 $381,448,814,653 $880,043,284
2016 $323,585,509,674 $804,323,577
2015 $346,709,790,459 $759,690,181
2014 $381,198,869,776 $773,717,011
2013 $400,886,013,596 $758,304,466
2012 $434,400,545,086 $747,839,698
2011 $458,199,494,831 $770,153,588
2010 $417,363,822,802 $670,712,980
2009 $329,754,060,647 $592,622,319
2008 $316,131,258,616 $590,748,429
2007 $333,077,117,254 $516,392,923
2006 $303,858,675,364 $439,358,587
2005 $288,867,217,197 $394,962,433
2004 $255,806,908,595 $364,996,869
2003 $197,018,965,309 $314,471,413
2002 $129,087,556,612 $262,596,536
2001 $135,429,905,923 $257,926,882
2000 $151,752,757,215 $272,014,628
1999 $151,516,957,079 $268,006,973
1998 $152,982,984,557 $262,293,411
1997 $168,978,057,328 $272,771,209
1996 $163,234,925,381 $261,370,044
1995 $171,735,933,897 $249,333,250
1994 $153,512,712,382 $233,701,301
1993 $147,194,747,566 $200,491,853
1992 $146,956,150,987 $209,088,825
1991 $135,203,698,238 $201,334,169
1990 $126,048,140,142 $168,879,207
1989 $108,055,624,082 $154,013,202
1988 $103,976,831,871 $158,351,368
1987 $96,535,763,418 $139,464,174
1986 $73,354,771,399 $126,498,935
1985 $64,459,376,087 $131,856,421
1984 $84,870,163,366 $144,482,515
1983 $96,204,110,942 $117,389,554
1982 $85,904,057,409 $114,501,913
1981 $93,141,472,164 $113,781,796
1980 $89,411,864,402 $121,185,498
1979 $63,038,658,089 $119,258,835
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/south-africa/vanuatu | CC BY

South Africa and Vanuatu economies compared

GDP per capita
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP per capita
South Africa Vanuatu
2024 $6,267 $3,411
2023 $6,034 $3,483
2022 $6,534 $3,370
2021 $6,829 $3,107
2020 $5,581 $3,043
2019 $6,534 $3,207
2018 $6,914 $3,207
2017 $6,618 $3,160
2016 $5,651 $2,956
2015 $6,112 $2,855
2014 $6,857 $2,973
2013 $7,332 $2,980
2012 $8,077 $3,005
2011 $8,646 $3,163
2010 $7,973 $2,815
2009 $6,375 $2,546
2008 $6,185 $2,604
2007 $6,592 $2,334
2006 $6,077 $2,035
2005 $5,837 $1,874
2004 $5,221 $1,774
2003 $4,062 $1,567
2002 $2,688 $1,341
2001 $2,847 $1,350
2000 $3,218 $1,460
1999 $3,242 $1,472
1998 $3,310 $1,471
1997 $3,700 $1,562
1996 $3,618 $1,529
1995 $3,856 $1,492
1994 $3,489 $1,431
1993 $3,400 $1,257
1992 $3,462 $1,344
1991 $3,243 $1,326
1990 $3,093 $1,141
1989 $2,727 $1,067
1988 $2,702 $1,125
1987 $2,586 $1,017
1986 $2,027 $946
1985 $1,839 $1,012
1984 $2,504 $1,137
1983 $2,938 $947
1982 $2,717 $946
1981 $3,050 $962
1980 $3,029 $1,048
1979 $2,202 $1,055
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/south-africa/vanuatu | CC BY

South Africa vs. Vanuatu life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
South Africa Vanuatu
2026 66.7 72
2025 66.5 71.8
2024 66.3 71.7
2023 66.1 71.5
2022 65.5 71.3
2021 62 70
2020 65.2 70.4
2019 66.1 70.8
2018 65.7 70.6
2017 65.4 70.5
2016 64.7 70.4
2015 64.1 70.2
2014 63.2 70
2013 62.4 70
2012 61.7 69.9
2011 60.6 69.7
2010 58.9 69.6
2009 57.4 69.4
2008 56 69.3
2007 54.9 69.1
2006 54.2 69.1
2005 53.9 69.2
2004 54 69
2003 54.2 68.9
2002 55.6 68.8
2001 57.2 68.7
2000 58.4 68.6
1999 59.2 67.9
1998 59.9 68.4
1997 60.5 68.3
1996 61.1 68.2
1995 61.6 68.1
1994 62.1 68
1993 62.6 67.7
1992 62.8 67.4
1991 63 67.1
1990 62.9 66.7
1989 63 66
1988 62.9 65.7
1987 62.7 64.4
1986 62.4 64.6
1985 62.2 63.9
1984 61.8 63.5
1983 61.4 63.1
1982 60.9 62.5
1981 60.4 61.9
1980 60 61.3
1979 59.5 60.9
1978 59 59.9
1977 58.5 59.2
1976 58 58.7
1975 57.6 58.1
1974 57.1 57.6
1973 56.7 57
1972 56.4 56.4
1971 56 55.9
1970 55.7 55.3
1969 55.4 54.8
1968 55.2 54.2
1967 55 53.7
1966 54.7 53.1
1965 54.4 52.5
1964 54.2 52
1963 53.9 51.5
1962 53.6 50.9
1961 53.1 50.4
1960 52.6 49.8
1959 51.9 49.3
1958 51.1 48.7
1957 50.2 48.2
1956 49.2 47.7
1955 48.2 47.1
1954 47.1 46.5
1953 46.1 45.8
1952 45 45.3
1951 44.1 42.2
1950 43.1 43.9

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

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

South Africa and Vanuatu population clocks and comparison

Population
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year Population
South Africa Vanuatu
2024 64,007,187 327,777
2023 63,212,384 320,409
2022 62,378,410 313,046
2021 61,502,603 305,868
2020 60,562,381 298,858
2019 59,587,885 291,985
2018 58,613,001 285,259
2017 57,635,162 278,507
2016 57,259,551 272,087
2015 56,723,537 266,101
2014 55,594,838 260,240
2013 54,678,791 254,482
2012 53,782,567 248,883
2011 52,995,205 243,474
2010 52,344,051 238,248
2009 51,728,516 232,731
2008 51,114,599 226,896
2007 50,528,584 221,276
2006 49,998,277 215,923
2005 49,490,033 210,760
2004 48,991,421 205,711
2003 48,500,348 200,746
2002 48,019,415 195,863
2001 47,566,800 191,031
2000 47,159,719 186,281
1999 46,730,335 182,048
1998 46,223,880 178,313
1997 45,666,838 174,626
1996 45,123,018 170,911
1995 44,541,554 167,137
1994 44,004,139 163,314
1993 43,297,156 159,463
1992 42,443,509 155,608
1991 41,687,898 151,793
1990 40,746,268 148,063
1989 39,628,575 144,393
1988 38,480,649 140,756
1987 37,326,190 137,187
1986 36,180,515 133,720
1985 35,042,093 130,356
1984 33,892,788 127,109
1983 32,739,304 123,998
1982 31,615,339 121,035
1981 30,541,044 118,249
1980 29,518,857 115,660
1979 28,634,162 113,040
1978 27,869,507 109,963
1977 27,118,952 106,618
1976 26,395,450 103,388
1975 25,690,940 100,269
1974 24,989,108 97,260
1973 24,294,263 94,362
1972 23,609,456 91,562
1971 22,942,143 88,862
1970 22,279,984 86,266
1969 21,614,676 83,755
1968 20,957,287 81,314
1967 20,314,066 78,921
1966 19,690,087 76,590
1965 19,089,380 74,358
1964 18,511,361 72,219
1963 17,954,564 70,159
1962 17,418,522 68,174
1961 16,908,035 66,264
1960 16,440,172 64,431

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

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

Fertility rates in South Africa and Vanuatu

Fertility rate
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Africa Vanuatu
2023 2.22 3.6
2022 2.23 3.65
2021 2.25 3.7
2020 2.26 3.74
2019 2.26 3.79
2018 2.27 3.83
2017 2.28 3.88
2016 2.26 3.92
2015 2.36 3.95
2014 2.42 4
2013 2.43 4.04
2012 2.45 4.06
2011 2.44 4.09
2010 2.44 4.13
2009 2.5 4.16
2008 2.68 4.16
2007 2.55 4.12
2006 2.55 4.1
2005 2.51 4.13
2004 2.44 4.21
2003 2.36 4.29
2002 2.32 4.38
2001 2.37 4.5
2000 2.41 4.54
1999 2.56 4.56
1998 2.63 4.6
1997 2.73 4.66
1996 2.99 4.75
1995 3.17 4.85
1994 3.26 4.94
1993 3.37 5.02
1992 3.48 5.09
1991 3.62 5.13
1990 3.72 5.17
1989 3.98 5.21
1988 4.18 5.27
1987 4.35 5.33
1986 4.41 5.38
1985 4.5 5.43
1984 4.57 5.49
1983 4.63 5.55
1982 4.7 5.6
1981 4.71 5.65
1980 4.78 5.69
1979 4.82 5.73
1978 4.85 5.77
1977 4.94 5.81
1976 5.07 5.89
1975 5.19 5.98
1974 5.3 6.06
1973 5.41 6.15
1972 5.49 6.23
1971 5.57 6.29
1970 5.63 6.35
1969 5.72 6.41
1968 5.78 6.46
1967 5.85 6.51
1966 5.91 6.51
1965 5.89 6.52
1964 5.96 6.57
1963 6.01 6.62
1962 6.05 6.67
1961 6.08 6.73
1960 6.11 6.78

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

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

South Africa and Vanuatu demographics compared

Median age
South Africa

Vanuatu
1x
Year Median age, years
South Africa Vanuatu
2024 29.5 21.3
2023 29.2 21.2
2022 28.9 21.2
2021 28.6 21.2
2020 28.3 21.2
2019 27.9 21.2
2018 27.5 21.2
2017 27 21.2
2016 26.7 21.1
2015 26.4 21.1
2014 26 21
2013 25.7 20.9
2012 25.3 20.8
2011 25 20.6
2010 24.6 20.5
2009 24.3 20.3
2008 24 20.1
2007 23.8 19.9
2006 23.5 19.6
2005 23.3 19.4
2004 23.1 19.2
2003 22.8 18.9
2002 22.4 18.7
2001 22.2 18.5
2000 21.9 18.2
1999 21.6 18
1998 21.4 18
1997 21.2 18
1996 21.2 18
1995 21.5 17.8
1994 22 17.7
1993 21.9 17.7
1992 21.5 17.8
1991 21.5 17.9
1990 21.3 17.8
1989 21.1 17.8
1988 20.9 17.8
1987 20.7 17.8
1986 20.5 17.8
1985 20.4 17.7
1984 20.2 17.7
1983 20 17.7
1982 19.8 17.7
1981 19.6 17.7
1980 19.4 17.6
1979 19.3 17.5
1978 19.2 17.3
1977 19.1 17.2
1976 19 17.1
1975 18.9 17.1
1974 18.9 17.1
1973 18.8 17
1972 18.8 17
1971 18.8 17
1970 18.8 17
1969 18.8 17
1968 18.8 17
1967 18.8 17.1
1966 18.8 17.1
1965 18.8 17.2
1964 18.9 17.3
1963 18.9 17.4
1962 18.9 17.5
1961 19 17.6
1960 19 17.7

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

South Africa Vanuatu
GNI, Atlas method
$391B
2024
$1.28B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
41.1%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.02%
2024
7.58%
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
-2.34%
2024
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
4.05%
2020
Services, % of GDP
63%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
7.37%
2022
Economic freedom index
58.6
2026
61.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
50.5%
2014
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
0.9%
2014
3%
2019
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
$615M
2024
Personal remittances received
$855M
2024
$145M
2024
International tourist arrivals
3,886,600
2020
82,400
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.89%
2020
50.4%
2020
Banked people share
81.1%
2024
n/a

Energy

South Africa Vanuatu
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,939 kg
2023
158.2 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$7.84
2023
$16.3
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
440 megatons
2024
0.29 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
6.88 tons
2024
0.87 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
93.3%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
9.7%
2021
25%
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
25.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
2.91%
2023
10.7%
2021
Nuclear share
3.73%
2023
0%
2021
Electricity access
87.7%
2023
61.6%
2023

Society

South Africa Vanuatu
% of world population
0.79%
2024
0.004%
2024
Annual migration change
+146,370
2025
-52
2025
Urban population
63.7%
2024
22.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
50.5:49.5
2024
Average male height
5.56 ft
2025
5.52 ft
2025
Average female height
5.2 ft
2025
5.27 ft
2025
Quality of life index
42.1
2026
44.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
41
2025
47
2025
Higher education index
81
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
45.5
2022
0.32
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
22.2
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
109
2025
94
2025
Adult literacy rate
91.2%
2024
88%
2023
English speaking
31%
2023
83.5%
2023
People using the Internet
75.7%
2023
45.7%
2023

Health

South Africa Vanuatu
Government health expenditure per capita
$537
2023
$143.4
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$35.9
2023
$12
2023
Life expectancy
66.7 years
2026
72 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
2.06%
2023
32%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.79
2022
0.16
2019
Maternal mortality per 100K births
118
2023
100
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
34.7
2023
16.8
2023
Obesity rate
31.4%
2022
22.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
7.2%
2024
19.7%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
96
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
20.7%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.13 liters
2020
2.04 liters
2020

Territory

South Africa Vanuatu
% of world land
0.81%
2026
0.008%
2026
Land area per capita
7,318 sq mi
2024
14,359 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
371,975 sq mi
2026
722 sq mi
2026
Forest area
65,409 sq mi
2026
1,708 sq mi
2026
Roads length
466,028 mi
2016
665 mi
2000

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)

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