Germany vs South Africa

Germany scores 76.6 in the NationsTree Index (14th in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 34.7 points. Their trees are 53 m and 18 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

Germany has 29% more people than South Africa. South Africa is 3.4 times larger than Germany by land area. Germany has an economy 6.1 times the size of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Germany 83.5 million and South Africa 64.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $75,407 in Germany and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in Germany live on average 14.5 years longer (80.8 vs 66.3 years).

Of 37 indicators reported by both countries, Germany ranks higher in the world on 34 and South Africa on 3. Germany is clearly stronger in institutions & safety, society & health and science & innovation. South Africa is clearly stronger in natural resources.

As a nation, Germany is the older of the two (statehood since 843, 1,183 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years Germany improved faster (direction score 26 vs 7 out of 100).