Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.2 times the population of South Africa: 143.51 million people against 64.75 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 6.0 times the size of South Africa's, at $2.56T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $427.18B | 2025 | $2.17T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | 6.7% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 41 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $777 | $485 | 2021 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 73.4 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 1.1% for South Africa).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 7.1 years longer in Russia (73.4 vs 66.3).
Russia is considerably more urbanized: 75% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Russia (94% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 14 times the size of South Africa: 17,098,242 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 53 times as much on defence as South Africa: $148.97B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than South Africa?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so Russia is 14 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or South Africa?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or South Africa?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).