Updated
Overview
India has 23 times the population of South Africa: 1.46 billion people against 64.75 million (2025).
India's economy is 9.3 times the size of South Africa's, at $3.96T versus $427.18B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $427.18B | 2025 | $3.91T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.2% | 2025 | 5.0% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 64.75 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 72.2 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 78% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.8 (India) and 28.7 (South Africa).
Life expectancy is 5.9 years longer in India (72.2 vs 66.3).
South Africa is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Geography
By land area, India is 2.7 times the size of South Africa: 3,287,590 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 53.
Military
India spends 30 times as much on defence as South Africa: $86.13B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.7%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than South Africa?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so India is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or South Africa?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, India or South Africa?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).