South Africa has a population of 64M (ranked 24/197), compared with 16.6M in Zimbabwe (ranked 74/197). South Africa's land area is 468,377 sq mi versus 149,364 sq mi for Zimbabwe (ranked 24th vs. 60th).
By GDP, South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B) and Zimbabwe ranks 102/197 ($41.5B). By GDP per capita, South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267), while Zimbabwe ranks 148/197 ($2,497).
Main facts and rankings
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
65683993
|
17361868
|
| Population rank | 24/197 | 74/197 |
| GDP |
$401B
2024 |
$41.5B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 40/197 | 102/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$6,267
2024 |
$2,497
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 111/197 | 148/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$15,456
2024 |
$5,928
2024 |
| Government debt |
$305B
2024 |
$30.3B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
76%
2024 |
73%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$4,761
2024 |
$1,824
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 83/185 | 121/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$15,431
2026 |
$2,897
2026 |
| Land area | 468,377 sq mi | 149,364 sq mi |
| Population density |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
115.6 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
2.22
2023 |
3.72
2023 |
| Median age |
29.5 years
2024 |
19 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
66.7 years
2026 |
63.6 years
2026 |
South Africa and Zimbabwe: Comparison Charts
South Africa and Zimbabwe economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2024 | $401,144,998,374 | $41,539,411,516 |
| 2023 | $381,440,724,491 | $35,871,779,681 |
| 2022 | $407,596,043,068 | $40,757,561,709 |
| 2021 | $419,986,284,375 | $41,287,673,690 |
| 2020 | $337,974,655,408 | $31,980,334,561 |
| 2019 | $389,330,032,224 | $33,357,695,635 |
| 2018 | $405,260,723,893 | $34,141,666,667 |
| 2017 | $381,448,814,653 | $51,035,657,371 |
| 2016 | $323,585,509,674 | $20,559,250,000 |
| 2015 | $346,709,790,459 | $19,973,250,000 |
| 2014 | $381,198,869,776 | $19,505,500,000 |
| 2013 | $400,886,013,596 | $19,100,750,000 |
| 2012 | $434,400,545,086 | $17,123,500,000 |
| 2011 | $458,199,494,831 | $14,109,000,000 |
| 2010 | $417,363,822,802 | $12,047,750,000 |
| 2009 | $329,754,060,647 | $9,670,750,000 |
| 2008 | $316,131,258,616 | $4,418,000,000 |
| 2007 | $333,077,117,254 | $5,294,750,000 |
| 2006 | $303,858,675,364 | $5,446,750,000 |
| 2005 | $288,867,217,197 | $5,758,250,000 |
| 2004 | $255,806,908,595 | $5,808,500,000 |
| 2003 | $197,018,965,309 | $5,730,500,000 |
| 2002 | $129,087,556,612 | $6,345,250,000 |
| 2001 | $135,429,905,923 | $6,780,750,000 |
| 2000 | $151,752,757,215 | $6,693,250,000 |
| 1999 | $151,516,957,079 | $6,861,500,000 |
| 1998 | $152,982,984,557 | $6,405,250,000 |
| 1997 | $168,978,057,328 | $8,534,000,000 |
| 1996 | $163,234,925,381 | $8,557,500,000 |
| 1995 | $171,735,933,897 | $7,115,000,000 |
| 1994 | $153,512,712,382 | $6,894,250,000 |
| 1993 | $147,194,747,566 | $6,567,250,000 |
| 1992 | $146,956,150,987 | $6,755,000,000 |
| 1991 | $135,203,698,238 | $8,646,000,000 |
| 1990 | $126,048,140,142 | $8,788,301,546 |
| 1989 | $108,055,624,082 | $8,290,553,535 |
| 1988 | $103,976,831,871 | $7,818,774,177 |
| 1987 | $96,535,763,418 | $6,744,657,033 |
| 1986 | $73,354,771,399 | $6,220,698,247 |
| 1985 | $64,459,376,087 | $5,640,137,575 |
| 1984 | $84,870,163,366 | $6,355,369,172 |
| 1983 | $96,204,110,942 | $7,768,031,182 |
| 1982 | $85,904,057,409 | $8,544,060,905 |
| 1981 | $93,141,472,164 | $8,015,464,252 |
| 1980 | $89,411,864,402 | $6,682,278,300 |
| 1979 | $63,038,658,089 | $5,180,102,910 |
| 1978 | $51,607,412,902 | $4,353,822,343 |
| 1977 | $45,328,411,332 | $4,366,610,469 |
| 1976 | $41,150,460,288 | $4,320,576,877 |
| 1975 | $42,906,905,672 | $4,373,532,601 |
| 1974 | $41,389,186,095 | $3,984,194,614 |
| 1973 | $33,262,772,008 | $3,311,043,292 |
| 1972 | $24,515,919,217 | $2,679,096,597 |
| 1971 | $23,411,076,638 | $2,179,828,710 |
| 1970 | $21,218,391,513 | $1,885,168,339 |
| 1969 | $19,256,992,297 | $1,748,891,294 |
| 1968 | $17,124,793,150 | $1,480,355,355 |
| 1967 | $15,821,393,671 | $1,397,715,282 |
| 1966 | $14,211,394,315 | $1,282,403,936 |
| 1965 | $13,068,994,772 | $1,312,105,394 |
| 1964 | $11,955,995,218 | $1,217,759,447 |
| 1963 | $10,854,195,658 | $1,160,103,724 |
| 1962 | $9,813,996,074 | $1,118,172,226 |
| 1961 | $9,225,996,310 | $1,097,206,526 |
| 1960 | $8,748,596,501 | $1,053,528,036 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY 
South Africa and Zimbabwe economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2024 | $6,267 | $2,497 |
| 2023 | $6,034 | $2,195 |
| 2022 | $6,534 | $2,536 |
| 2021 | $6,829 | $2,614 |
| 2020 | $5,581 | $2,060 |
| 2019 | $6,534 | $2,184 |
| 2018 | $6,914 | $2,271 |
| 2017 | $6,618 | $3,445 |
| 2016 | $5,651 | $1,408 |
| 2015 | $6,112 | $1,387 |
| 2014 | $6,857 | $1,373 |
| 2013 | $7,332 | $1,363 |
| 2012 | $8,077 | $1,239 |
| 2011 | $8,646 | $1,038 |
| 2010 | $7,973 | $902 |
| 2009 | $6,375 | $736 |
| 2008 | $6,185 | $341 |
| 2007 | $6,592 | $414 |
| 2006 | $6,077 | $431 |
| 2005 | $5,837 | $461 |
| 2004 | $5,221 | $470 |
| 2003 | $4,062 | $468 |
| 2002 | $2,688 | $525 |
| 2001 | $2,847 | $566 |
| 2000 | $3,218 | $563 |
| 1999 | $3,242 | $582 |
| 1998 | $3,310 | $552 |
| 1997 | $3,700 | $751 |
| 1996 | $3,618 | $767 |
| 1995 | $3,856 | $648 |
| 1994 | $3,489 | $634 |
| 1993 | $3,400 | $605 |
| 1992 | $3,462 | $631 |
| 1991 | $3,243 | $831 |
| 1990 | $3,093 | $867 |
| 1989 | $2,727 | $840 |
| 1988 | $2,702 | $816 |
| 1987 | $2,586 | $726 |
| 1986 | $2,027 | $693 |
| 1985 | $1,839 | $649 |
| 1984 | $2,504 | $757 |
| 1983 | $2,938 | $959 |
| 1982 | $2,717 | $1,096 |
| 1981 | $3,050 | $1,069 |
| 1980 | $3,029 | $949 |
| 1979 | $2,202 | $779 |
| 1978 | $1,852 | $665 |
| 1977 | $1,671 | $677 |
| 1976 | $1,559 | $687 |
| 1975 | $1,670 | $717 |
| 1974 | $1,656 | $674 |
| 1973 | $1,369 | $579 |
| 1972 | $1,038 | $483 |
| 1971 | $1,020 | $406 |
| 1970 | $952 | $361 |
| 1969 | $891 | $346 |
| 1968 | $817 | $302 |
| 1967 | $779 | $294.4 |
| 1966 | $722 | $278.7 |
| 1965 | $685 | $294.3 |
| 1964 | $646 | $281.9 |
| 1963 | $605 | $277.1 |
| 1962 | $563 | $275.7 |
| 1961 | $546 | $279.2 |
| 1960 | $532 | $276.6 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY
South Africa vs. Zimbabwe life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2026 | 66.7 | 63.6 |
| 2025 | 66.5 | 63.3 |
| 2024 | 66.3 | 63.1 |
| 2023 | 66.1 | 62.8 |
| 2022 | 65.5 | 62.4 |
| 2021 | 62 | 60.1 |
| 2020 | 65.2 | 61.5 |
| 2019 | 66.1 | 61.1 |
| 2018 | 65.7 | 60.9 |
| 2017 | 65.4 | 60.3 |
| 2016 | 64.7 | 59.8 |
| 2015 | 64.1 | 59 |
| 2014 | 63.2 | 58.1 |
| 2013 | 62.4 | 56.8 |
| 2012 | 61.7 | 55.4 |
| 2011 | 60.6 | 53.9 |
| 2010 | 58.9 | 51.9 |
| 2009 | 57.4 | 49.7 |
| 2008 | 56 | 48.5 |
| 2007 | 54.9 | 47.6 |
| 2006 | 54.2 | 47.1 |
| 2005 | 53.9 | 46.6 |
| 2004 | 54 | 46 |
| 2003 | 54.2 | 45.4 |
| 2002 | 55.6 | 45.9 |
| 2001 | 57.2 | 44.5 |
| 2000 | 58.4 | 46 |
| 1999 | 59.2 | 46.4 |
| 1998 | 59.9 | 47.6 |
| 1997 | 60.5 | 48.5 |
| 1996 | 61.1 | 49 |
| 1995 | 61.6 | 51.1 |
| 1994 | 62.1 | 52.5 |
| 1993 | 62.6 | 54 |
| 1992 | 62.8 | 55.6 |
| 1991 | 63 | 57 |
| 1990 | 62.9 | 58.3 |
| 1989 | 63 | 59.4 |
| 1988 | 62.9 | 60.2 |
| 1987 | 62.7 | 60.7 |
| 1986 | 62.4 | 61 |
| 1985 | 62.2 | 60.9 |
| 1984 | 61.8 | 60.6 |
| 1983 | 61.4 | 60 |
| 1982 | 60.9 | 59.9 |
| 1981 | 60.4 | 59.4 |
| 1980 | 60 | 59.1 |
| 1979 | 59.5 | 54.9 |
| 1978 | 59 | 54.7 |
| 1977 | 58.5 | 57 |
| 1976 | 58 | 57.6 |
| 1975 | 57.6 | 58.2 |
| 1974 | 57.1 | 58.2 |
| 1973 | 56.7 | 58.1 |
| 1972 | 56.4 | 58.2 |
| 1971 | 56 | 58 |
| 1970 | 55.7 | 57.8 |
| 1969 | 55.4 | 57.5 |
| 1968 | 55.2 | 57.1 |
| 1967 | 55 | 56.8 |
| 1966 | 54.7 | 56.4 |
| 1965 | 54.4 | 55.9 |
| 1964 | 54.2 | 55.4 |
| 1963 | 53.9 | 54.9 |
| 1962 | 53.6 | 54.5 |
| 1961 | 53.1 | 54 |
| 1960 | 52.6 | 53.5 |
| 1959 | 51.9 | 53 |
| 1958 | 51.1 | 52.6 |
| 1957 | 50.2 | 52.2 |
| 1956 | 49.2 | 51.8 |
| 1955 | 48.2 | 51.4 |
| 1954 | 47.1 | 51 |
| 1953 | 46.1 | 50.6 |
| 1952 | 45 | 50.2 |
| 1951 | 44.1 | 49.8 |
| 1950 | 43.1 | 49.4 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY
South Africa and Zimbabwe population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2024 | 64,007,187 | 16,634,373 |
| 2023 | 63,212,384 | 16,340,822 |
| 2022 | 62,378,410 | 16,069,056 |
| 2021 | 61,502,603 | 15,797,210 |
| 2020 | 60,562,381 | 15,526,888 |
| 2019 | 59,587,885 | 15,271,368 |
| 2018 | 58,613,001 | 15,034,452 |
| 2017 | 57,635,162 | 14,812,482 |
| 2016 | 57,259,551 | 14,600,294 |
| 2015 | 56,723,537 | 14,399,013 |
| 2014 | 55,594,838 | 14,207,359 |
| 2013 | 54,678,791 | 14,013,808 |
| 2012 | 53,782,567 | 13,817,887 |
| 2011 | 52,995,205 | 13,595,424 |
| 2010 | 52,344,051 | 13,356,548 |
| 2009 | 51,728,516 | 13,142,790 |
| 2008 | 51,114,599 | 12,959,149 |
| 2007 | 50,528,584 | 12,804,058 |
| 2006 | 49,998,277 | 12,636,445 |
| 2005 | 49,490,033 | 12,483,432 |
| 2004 | 48,991,421 | 12,365,896 |
| 2003 | 48,500,348 | 12,232,323 |
| 2002 | 48,019,415 | 12,087,653 |
| 2001 | 47,566,800 | 11,971,901 |
| 2000 | 47,159,719 | 11,892,055 |
| 1999 | 46,730,335 | 11,783,458 |
| 1998 | 46,223,880 | 11,594,297 |
| 1997 | 45,666,838 | 11,369,827 |
| 1996 | 45,123,018 | 11,158,360 |
| 1995 | 44,541,554 | 10,974,599 |
| 1994 | 44,004,139 | 10,873,148 |
| 1993 | 43,297,156 | 10,860,288 |
| 1992 | 42,443,509 | 10,702,700 |
| 1991 | 41,687,898 | 10,404,816 |
| 1990 | 40,746,268 | 10,137,281 |
| 1989 | 39,628,575 | 9,864,798 |
| 1988 | 38,480,649 | 9,583,094 |
| 1987 | 37,326,190 | 9,284,644 |
| 1986 | 36,180,515 | 8,982,578 |
| 1985 | 35,042,093 | 8,686,813 |
| 1984 | 33,892,788 | 8,391,488 |
| 1983 | 32,739,304 | 8,098,404 |
| 1982 | 31,615,339 | 7,796,496 |
| 1981 | 30,541,044 | 7,498,635 |
| 1980 | 29,518,857 | 7,041,303 |
| 1979 | 28,634,162 | 6,647,556 |
| 1978 | 27,869,507 | 6,543,575 |
| 1977 | 27,118,952 | 6,449,512 |
| 1976 | 26,395,450 | 6,287,105 |
| 1975 | 25,690,940 | 6,098,658 |
| 1974 | 24,989,108 | 5,908,328 |
| 1973 | 24,294,263 | 5,720,404 |
| 1972 | 23,609,456 | 5,542,445 |
| 1971 | 22,942,143 | 5,374,712 |
| 1970 | 22,279,984 | 5,215,918 |
| 1969 | 21,614,676 | 5,058,181 |
| 1968 | 20,957,287 | 4,900,440 |
| 1967 | 20,314,066 | 4,748,307 |
| 1966 | 19,690,087 | 4,601,217 |
| 1965 | 19,089,380 | 4,458,462 |
| 1964 | 18,511,361 | 4,320,006 |
| 1963 | 17,954,564 | 4,185,877 |
| 1962 | 17,418,522 | 4,055,959 |
| 1961 | 16,908,035 | 3,930,401 |
| 1960 | 16,440,172 | 3,809,389 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY
Fertility rates in South Africa and Zimbabwe
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2023 | 2.22 | 3.72 |
| 2022 | 2.23 | 3.77 |
| 2021 | 2.25 | 3.77 |
| 2020 | 2.26 | 3.75 |
| 2019 | 2.26 | 3.75 |
| 2018 | 2.27 | 3.74 |
| 2017 | 2.28 | 3.77 |
| 2016 | 2.26 | 3.83 |
| 2015 | 2.36 | 3.91 |
| 2014 | 2.42 | 4.01 |
| 2013 | 2.43 | 4.11 |
| 2012 | 2.45 | 4.13 |
| 2011 | 2.44 | 4.13 |
| 2010 | 2.44 | 4.04 |
| 2009 | 2.5 | 3.95 |
| 2008 | 2.68 | 3.78 |
| 2007 | 2.55 | 3.68 |
| 2006 | 2.55 | 3.64 |
| 2005 | 2.51 | 3.69 |
| 2004 | 2.44 | 3.78 |
| 2003 | 2.36 | 3.86 |
| 2002 | 2.32 | 3.93 |
| 2001 | 2.37 | 3.98 |
| 2000 | 2.41 | 4.01 |
| 1999 | 2.56 | 4.06 |
| 1998 | 2.63 | 4.07 |
| 1997 | 2.73 | 4.08 |
| 1996 | 2.99 | 4.11 |
| 1995 | 3.17 | 4.15 |
| 1994 | 3.26 | 4.28 |
| 1993 | 3.37 | 4.39 |
| 1992 | 3.48 | 4.57 |
| 1991 | 3.62 | 4.72 |
| 1990 | 3.72 | 4.88 |
| 1989 | 3.98 | 5.07 |
| 1988 | 4.18 | 5.28 |
| 1987 | 4.35 | 5.5 |
| 1986 | 4.41 | 5.69 |
| 1985 | 4.5 | 5.87 |
| 1984 | 4.57 | 6.04 |
| 1983 | 4.63 | 6.2 |
| 1982 | 4.7 | 6.33 |
| 1981 | 4.71 | 6.45 |
| 1980 | 4.78 | 6.52 |
| 1979 | 4.82 | 6.59 |
| 1978 | 4.85 | 6.66 |
| 1977 | 4.94 | 6.71 |
| 1976 | 5.07 | 6.77 |
| 1975 | 5.19 | 6.83 |
| 1974 | 5.3 | 6.88 |
| 1973 | 5.41 | 6.94 |
| 1972 | 5.49 | 6.94 |
| 1971 | 5.57 | 6.94 |
| 1970 | 5.63 | 6.98 |
| 1969 | 5.72 | 7.04 |
| 1968 | 5.78 | 7.11 |
| 1967 | 5.85 | 7.16 |
| 1966 | 5.91 | 7.2 |
| 1965 | 5.89 | 7.23 |
| 1964 | 5.96 | 7.23 |
| 1963 | 6.01 | 7.23 |
| 1962 | 6.05 | 7.23 |
| 1961 | 6.08 | 7.21 |
| 1960 | 6.11 | 7.2 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY
South Africa and Zimbabwe demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
| 2024 | 29.5 | 19 |
| 2023 | 29.2 | 18.9 |
| 2022 | 28.9 | 18.7 |
| 2021 | 28.6 | 18.6 |
| 2020 | 28.3 | 18.5 |
| 2019 | 27.9 | 18.3 |
| 2018 | 27.5 | 18.2 |
| 2017 | 27 | 18.1 |
| 2016 | 26.7 | 18 |
| 2015 | 26.4 | 18 |
| 2014 | 26 | 18 |
| 2013 | 25.7 | 18 |
| 2012 | 25.3 | 18.1 |
| 2011 | 25 | 18.2 |
| 2010 | 24.6 | 18.3 |
| 2009 | 24.3 | 18.4 |
| 2008 | 24 | 18.5 |
| 2007 | 23.8 | 18.5 |
| 2006 | 23.5 | 18.5 |
| 2005 | 23.3 | 18.3 |
| 2004 | 23.1 | 18.3 |
| 2003 | 22.8 | 18.2 |
| 2002 | 22.4 | 18.1 |
| 2001 | 22.2 | 18 |
| 2000 | 21.9 | 17.8 |
| 1999 | 21.6 | 17.7 |
| 1998 | 21.4 | 17.5 |
| 1997 | 21.2 | 17.2 |
| 1996 | 21.2 | 16.9 |
| 1995 | 21.5 | 16.6 |
| 1994 | 22 | 16.4 |
| 1993 | 21.9 | 16.3 |
| 1992 | 21.5 | 16.4 |
| 1991 | 21.5 | 16.5 |
| 1990 | 21.3 | 16.3 |
| 1989 | 21.1 | 16.1 |
| 1988 | 20.9 | 15.9 |
| 1987 | 20.7 | 15.9 |
| 1986 | 20.5 | 15.9 |
| 1985 | 20.4 | 15.9 |
| 1984 | 20.2 | 15.8 |
| 1983 | 20 | 15.8 |
| 1982 | 19.8 | 15.8 |
| 1981 | 19.6 | 15.7 |
| 1980 | 19.4 | 15.6 |
| 1979 | 19.3 | 15.6 |
| 1978 | 19.2 | 15.7 |
| 1977 | 19.1 | 15.8 |
| 1976 | 19 | 15.8 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 15.9 |
| 1974 | 18.9 | 15.9 |
| 1973 | 18.8 | 15.8 |
| 1972 | 18.8 | 15.8 |
| 1971 | 18.8 | 15.8 |
| 1970 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1969 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1968 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1967 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1966 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1965 | 18.8 | 15.7 |
| 1964 | 18.9 | 15.7 |
| 1963 | 18.9 | 15.8 |
| 1962 | 18.9 | 16 |
| 1961 | 19 | 16.2 |
| 1960 | 19 | 16.4 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/south-africa/zimbabwe | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for South Africa and Zimbabwe.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$391B
2024 |
$39.9B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
33%
2024 |
12.9%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
6.02%
2024 |
0.38%
2023 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.7%
2024 |
0.35%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
89,000
2020 |
51,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-5.79%
2024 |
-1.06%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
32.3%
2024 |
12.1%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
63%
2024 |
50.6%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
24.3%
2024 |
35%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
58.6
2026 |
35.2
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
50.5%
2014 |
40.5%
2019 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
0.9%
2014 |
1.9%
2019 |
| Number of millionaires |
90,595
2025 |
n/a |
| Percentage of millionaires |
0.22%
2025 |
n/a |
| Number of billionaires |
7
2025 |
1
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires |
0.00002%
2025 |
0.00001%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
220
2024 |
69
1999 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$986B
2024 |
$2.46B
1999 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$65.4B
2024 |
$485M
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$855M
2024 |
$3.51B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
3,886,600
2020 |
639,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
2.89%
2020 |
1.25%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
81.1%
2024 |
49.5%
2024 |
Energy
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
1,939 kg
2023 |
417 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$7.84
2023 |
$13
2022 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
440 megatons
2024 |
12.9 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
6.88 tons
2024 |
0.77 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
93.3%
2022 |
45.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
9.7%
2021 |
82.4%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
3.58%
2023 |
7.59%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-12.5%
2023 |
17%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
539 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
6.45%
2021 |
72.6%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
2.91%
2023 |
67.6%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
3.73%
2023 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
87.7%
2023 |
62%
2023 |
Society
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.79%
2024 |
0.2%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+146,370
2025 |
-54,555
2025 |
| Urban population |
63.7%
2024 |
39.9%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
47.7:52.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.56 ft
2025 |
5.6 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.2 ft
2025 |
5.24 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
42.1
2026 |
27.6
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
41
2025 |
22
2025 |
| Higher education index |
81
2026 |
45
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
45.5
2022 |
6.76
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
22.2
2019 |
41.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
109
2025 |
70
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
91.2%
2024 |
89.8%
2022 |
| English speaking |
31%
2023 |
82.1%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
75.7%
2023 |
38.4%
2023 |
Health
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$537
2023 |
$62.9
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$35.9
2023 |
$6.69
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
66.7 years
2026 |
63.6 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
2.06%
2023 |
45%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.79
2022 |
0.14
2023 |
| Age at first childbirth | n/a |
20.3 years
2025 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
118
2023 |
358
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
34.7
2023 |
44.2
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
31.4%
2022 |
14.2%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
7.2%
2024 |
1.5%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
39
2026 |
29
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
20.7%
2022 |
11.3%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
7.13 liters
2020 |
2.67 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
South Africa
|
Zimbabwe
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.81%
2026 |
0.26%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
8,979 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
62,422 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
66,820 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
466,028 mi
2016 |
60,439 mi
2019 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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