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South Africa vs United Kingdom
Side-by-side comparison of South Africa and United Kingdom from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
South Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa · nation age 116 years
United Kingdom
Europe & Central Asia · nation age 1,099 years
In short
United Kingdom scores 74.6 in the NationsTree Index (22nd in the world) and South Africa scores 41.9 (122nd), a gap of 32.7 points. Their trees are 18 m and 44 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
South Africa and United Kingdom have a similar population. South Africa is 5.0 times larger than United Kingdom by land area. United Kingdom has an economy 4.4 times the size of South Africa (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: South Africa 64.7 million and United Kingdom 69.5 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $64,606 in United Kingdom and $15,906 in South Africa (2025, international dollars). People in United Kingdom live on average 15.1 years longer (81.4 vs 66.3 years).
Of 38 indicators reported by both countries, South Africa ranks higher in the world on 3 and United Kingdom on 35. South Africa is clearly stronger in main industries and natural resources. United Kingdom is clearly stronger in society & health, institutions & safety and science & innovation.
As a nation, United Kingdom is the older of the two (statehood since 927, 1,099 years), compared with South Africa (since 1910). Over the last five years United Kingdom improved faster (direction score 15 vs 7 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between South Africa and United Kingdom.
South Africa
90.2%
161st of 215
United Kingdombetter
100.0%
1st of 215
Life expectancySociety & health
South Africa
66.3
183rd of 217
United Kingdombetter
81.4
42nd of 217
Income inequality (Gini)Society & health
South Africa
54.1
107th of 108
United Kingdombetter
32.4
37th of 108
Homicide rateInstitutions & safety
South Africa
43.7
140th of 145
United Kingdombetter
1.1
47th of 145
UnemploymentEconomy
South Africa
32.4%
186th of 187
United Kingdombetter
4.7%
80th of 187
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
United Kingdom has been ahead of South Africa in the NationsTree Index in every year since 1995.
United Kingdom has been ahead of South Africa in GDP per person (PPP), GDP (PPP), life expectancy and population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
South AfricaUnited Kingdom All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | South Africa | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 1,219,60224th/216 · 2024 | 243,61079th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 1,213,09024th/216 · 2024 | 241,93079th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 64.7 m24th/217 · 2025 | 69.5 m22nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 1.15%93rd/217 · 2025 | 0.30%154th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 52.8151st/216 · 2024 | 286.444th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 63.8%111th/217 · 2025 | 83.3%50th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 25.7%91st/217 · 2025 | 17.0%155th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 6.9%126th/217 · 2025 | 19.7%39th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $427.18 bn40th/210 · 2025 | $4.00 trn5th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $1.03 trn32nd/199 · 2025 | $4.49 trn9th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $880.05 bn32nd/199 · 2025 | $3.75 trn10th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $6,598125th/210 · 2025 | $57,60227th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $15,906120th/199 · 2025 | $64,60632nd/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $6,270116th/201 · 2025 | $54,55025th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 1.1%169th/210 · 2025 | 1.4%162nd/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 3.2%92nd/180 · 2025 | 3.9%118th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 32.4%186th/187 · 2025 | 4.7%80th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 82.8%45th/55 · 2024 | 130.7%54th/55 · 2024 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 78.4%145th/189 · 2025 | 102.1%171st/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -5.6%160th/192 · 2025 | -5.3%154th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 2.8%130th/197 · 2025 | 0.6%179th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 24.1%95th/200 · 2025 | 16.5%152nd/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 12.3%76th/192 · 2025 | 7.7%128th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 63.1%67th/200 · 2025 | 73.1%21st/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $134.18 bn42nd/182 · 2025 | $1.22 trn4th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $126.02 bn43rd/182 · 2025 | $1.28 trn4th/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 31.4%109th/183 · 2025 | 30.6%111th/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 29.5%134th/183 · 2025 | 31.9%126th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 60.9%126th/183 · 2025 | 62.5%124th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 8.2%58th/170 · 2025 | 7.2%63rd/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 38.3%80th/171 · 2025 | 59.7%55th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 12.8%101st/171 · 2025 | 6.7%131st/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 30.4%18th/171 · 2025 | 5.7%59th/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 5.7%91st/168 · 2024 | 29.2%17th/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -0.5%80th/191 · 2025 | -3.0%116th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | -0.5%183rd/196 · 2025 | 0.9%147th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 7.3%58th/209 · 2021 | 0.6%127th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.40%57th/197 · 2021 | 0.42%56th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.03%71st/197 · 2021 | 0.17%55th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 2.44%4th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%60th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 3.83%28th/209 · 2021 | 0.00%90th/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.63%66th/209 · 2021 | 0.00%183rd/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 9.9%105th/206 · 2024 | 25.3%39th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 718145th/183 · 2022 | 2,144103rd/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 3.9 m45th/194 · 2020 | 11.1 m22nd/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $2.72 bn43rd/175 · 2020 | $31.66 bn1998 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 2.9%109th/168 · 2020 | 8.2%1998 |
| Outbound trips departures | — | 23.8 m8th/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 66.3183rd/217 · 2024 | 81.442nd/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 35.1144th/196 · 2024 | 4.736th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.79108th/174 · 2022 | 3.3053rd/174 · 2023 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 2.32010 | 2.475th/145 · 2022 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 74%160th/193 · 2024 | 92%86th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 85.4%61st/153 · 2024 | 99.8%3rd/153 · 2021 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 104.1%46th/173 · 2023 | 112.1%23rd/173 · 2023 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 78.4%12th/55 · 2021 | — |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 10.2%129th/217 · 2025 | 31.1%38th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 8.9%47th/193 · 2023 | 11.1%16th/193 · 2024 |
| Adult literacy % | 91.2%48th/98 · 2024 | — |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 23.5%115th/150 · 2023 | 80.4%26th/150 · 2023 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.741106th/193 · 2023 | 0.94613th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 54.1107th/108 · 2022 | 32.437th/108 · 2021 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 17.4%87th/108 · 2022 | 0.4%27th/108 · 2021 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 90.2%161st/215 · 2024 | 100.0%1st/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 68.0%90th/150 · 2024 | 99.8%17th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 73.8%60th/144 · 2024 | 97.8%13th/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 78.4%105th/186 · 2024 | 95.5%26th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 17911th/210 · 2024 | 12284th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 5.3137th/208 · 2024 | 42.222nd/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 3.6029th/164 · 2022 | 3.7024th/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | 20,9539th/82 · 2021 | 16,17913th/82 · 2021 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 15.5 m42nd/161 · 2023 | 118.9 m7th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 6.88168th/203 · 2024 | 4.22139th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 9.7%146th/212 · 2021 | 12.2%131st/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 27.7146th/200 · 2023 | 9.543rd/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 18.8%134th/214 · 2024 | 13.5%149th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 1,90761st/149 · 2024 | 2,09555th/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 51.9109th/205 · 2025 | 77.628th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 45.498th/207 · 2025 | 78.918th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 59.396th/207 · 2025 | 79.526th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 58.9142nd/207 · 2025 | 70.792nd/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 54.399th/205 · 2025 | 80.614th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 70.257th/205 · 2025 | 81.319th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 43.7140th/145 · 2022 | 1.147th/145 · 2021 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $3.17 bn54th/156 · 2025 | $88.98 bn6th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 0.7%133rd/156 · 2025 | 2.4%45th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 2.2%139th/154 · 2025 | 5.4%73rd/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 89,00054th/170 · 2020 | 153,00041st/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.40%131st/168 · 2020 | 0.45%121st/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 30.0 m78th/163 · 2025 | 609.0 m16th/163 · 2025 |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 115.0 m24th/65 · 2025 | 702.0 m9th/65 · 2025 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.61%58th/110 · 2022 | 2.68%13th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 35053rd/137 · 2024 | 11,1059th/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 14,94933rd/197 · 2023 | 97,5365th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.5 m (2025) compared with 64.7 m for South Africa (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, South Africa or United Kingdom?
South Africa is larger: 1,219,602 km² (2024) compared with 243,610 km² for United Kingdom (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $4.49 trn intl. (2025) compared with $1.03 trn intl. for South Africa (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $64,606 intl. (2025) compared with $15,906 intl. for South Africa (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom has the higher life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years (2024) compared with 66.3 years for South Africa (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom spends more on the military: $88.98 bn (2025) compared with $3.17 bn for South Africa (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom: 74.6 points (22nd in the world); South Africa: 41.9 points (122nd). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Canada
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Italy
Kenya
Ireland
MexicoSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). South Africa vs United Kingdom — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/south-africa-vs-united-kingdom. Data as of 26 October 2026.