Saudi Arabia vs South Africa

Saudi Arabia scores 76.5 in the NationsTree Index (15th in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 34.6 points. Their trees are 35 m and 18 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

South Africa has 75% more people than Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has 76% more land area than South Africa. Saudi Arabia has an economy 2.6 times the size of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Saudi Arabia 37.0 million and South Africa 64.7 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $73,784 in Saudi Arabia and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in Saudi Arabia live on average 12.7 years longer (79.0 vs 66.3 years).

Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, Saudi Arabia ranks higher in the world on 27 and South Africa on 7. Saudi Arabia is clearly stronger in military, economy and society & health. South Africa is clearly stronger in environment & energy and natural resources.

As a nation, Saudi Arabia is the older of the two (statehood since 1727, 299 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years Saudi Arabia improved faster (direction score 100 vs 7 out of 100).