Updated
Overview
South Africa has 2.3 times the population of Australia: 64.75 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 4.2 times the size of South Africa's, at $1.80T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $400.26B / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $4,436 | 2020 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 60,000 | 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 (1.1% for South Africa, 1.4% for Australia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 16.7 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 66.3).
Australia is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 84% smaller than Australia: 1,221,037 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 12 times as much on defence as South Africa: $33.82B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Australia carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 6.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Australia?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).