Updated
Overview
Germany has 29% more people than South Africa: 83.49 million against 64.75 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 12 times the size of South Africa's, at $5.05T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Germany is the wealthier of the two: $60,496 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Germany | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $5.05T | $427.18B | 2025 | $4.66T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $60,496 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.2% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.2% | 3.2% | 2025 | 2.3% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.7% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 80 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $4,647 | $485 | 2022 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,442 | $261 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 83.49 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 84.01 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 45.5 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 80.8 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 82% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 93% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 357,114 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 233.8/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 572 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.8 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $88.46B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 183,000 | 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
South Africa is growing faster: 1.1% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.2% in Germany and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 80 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Germany: $4,647 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 45.5 years.
Life expectancy is 14.5 years longer in Germany (80.8 vs 66.3).
Germany is considerably more urbanized: 82% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Germany (93% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Germany is 71% smaller than South Africa: 357,114 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Germany is far more densely settled: 234 people per km² against 53.
Military
Germany spends 31 times as much on defence as South Africa: $88.46B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Germany carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Germany fields the larger armed forces: 183,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Germany bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. Germany covers 357,114 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Germany or South Africa?
- Germany has the larger population: 83.49 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Germany richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Germany is richer: $60,496 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $5.05T for Germany versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Germany or South Africa?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).