Updated
Overview
China has 22 times the population of South Africa: 1.41 billion people against 64.75 million (2025).
China's economy is 46 times the size of South Africa's, at $19.50T versus $427.18B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $427.18B | 2025 | $18.74T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.2% | 2025 | 0.2% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $485 | 2022 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 64.75 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 78% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 89,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
South Africa runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 11.7 years longer in China (78.0 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 7.9 times the size of South Africa: 9,596,960 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 53.
Military
China spends 111 times as much on defence as South Africa: $313.66B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, China carries the heavier military burden: 1.7% of GDP versus 0.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than South Africa?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so China is 7.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or South Africa?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, China or South Africa?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).