Australia vs South Africa

Australia scores 77.1 in the NationsTree Index (10th in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 35.2 points. Their trees are 30 m and 18 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

South Africa has 2.3 times the population of Australia. Australia is 6.3 times larger than South Africa by land area. The economy of Australia is 93% larger than that of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Australia 27.6 million and South Africa 64.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $71,934 in Australia and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in Australia live on average 16.7 years longer (83.1 vs 66.3 years).

Of 35 indicators reported by both countries, Australia ranks higher in the world on 34 and South Africa on 1. Australia is clearly stronger in society & health, institutions & safety and economy. South Africa is clearly stronger in main industries.

As a nation, Australia is the older of the two (statehood since 1901, 125 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years Australia improved faster (direction score 34 vs 7 out of 100).