Russia vs South Africa

Russia scores 63.8 in the NationsTree Index (51st in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 21.9 points. Their trees are 54 m and 18 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

Russia has 2.2 times the population of South Africa. Russia is 14 times larger than South Africa by land area. Russia has an economy 7.0 times the size of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Russia 143.5 million and South Africa 64.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $49,568 in Russia and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in Russia live on average 7.1 years longer (73.4 vs 66.3 years).

Of 39 indicators reported by both countries, Russia ranks higher in the world on 26 and South Africa on 13. Russia is clearly stronger in military, society & health and economy. South Africa is clearly stronger in institutions & safety.

As a nation, Russia is the older of the two (statehood since 882, 1,144 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years Russia improved faster (direction score 45 vs 7 out of 100).