Updated
Overview
South Africa has about 40% more people than Argentina: 64.75 million against 45.85 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 60% larger than South Africa's, at $683.10B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $683.10B | 2025 | $400.26B / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 4.4% / — |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $811 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 103,000 | 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
Argentina is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.2%.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the younger society: median age 28.7 versus 32.9 years.
Life expectancy is 11.2 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 66.3).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Argentina (90% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 56% smaller than Argentina: 1,221,037 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 16.
Military
Argentina spends about 45% more on defence than South Africa: $4.18B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Argentina?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Argentina?
- Argentina spends more: $4.18B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).