China vs South Africa

China scores 69.8 in the NationsTree Index (36th in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 27.9 points. Their trees are 132 m and 18 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

China has 22 times the population of South Africa. China is 7.8 times larger than South Africa by land area. China has an economy 40 times the size of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: China 1.4 billion and South Africa 64.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $29,333 in China and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in China live on average 11.7 years longer (78.0 vs 66.3 years).

Of 36 indicators reported by both countries, China ranks higher in the world on 27 and South Africa on 9. China is clearly stronger in science & innovation, tourism and society & health.

As a nation, China is the older of the two (statehood since 1600 BC, 3,625 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years China improved faster (direction score 42 vs 7 out of 100).