Updated
Overview
South Africa has 7.0 times the population of Austria: 64.75 million people against 9.21 million (2025).
Austria's economy is about 35% larger than South Africa's, at $579.47B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $579.47B | 2025 | $400.26B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $62,930 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 3.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 82 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $6,155 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $5.26B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 23,000 | 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, 0.6% for Austria).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 3.5% in Austria.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Austria: $6,155 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 15.7 years longer in Austria (82.0 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Austria (92% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 15 times the size of Austria: 1,221,037 km² versus 83,871 km².
Austria is far more densely settled: 110 people per km² against 53.
Military
Austria spends about 85% more on defence than South Africa: $5.26B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Austria?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², so South Africa is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Austria?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Austria?
- Austria spends more: $5.26B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).