Updated
Overview
France and South Africa are nearly matched in population: 68.72 million versus 64.75 million people (2025).
France's economy is 7.9 times the size of South Africa's, at $3.37T versus $427.18B.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | France | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.37T | $427.18B | 2025 | $3.16T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $48,986 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.8% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.9% | 3.2% | 2025 | 2.0% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.5% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 77 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $5,024 | $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,036 | $261 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 68.72 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 68.51 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.2% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.3 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 89% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 643,801 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 106.7/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 264 Mt | 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $64.68B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 304,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.8% for France, 1.1% for South Africa).
South Africa runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 16.7 years longer in France (83.0 vs 66.3).
France is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in France (89% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, France is 47% smaller than South Africa: 643,801 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
France is far more densely settled: 107 people per km² against 53.
Military
France spends 23 times as much on defence as South Africa: $64.68B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.7%.
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is France bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. France covers 643,801 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 90% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, France or South Africa?
- France has the larger population: 68.72 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is France richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $3.37T for France versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, France or South Africa?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).