Updated
Overview
South Africa has 5.4 times the population of Belgium: 64.75 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Belgium's economy is about 70% larger than South Africa's, at $725.47B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $725.47B | 2025 | $400.26B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $7,044 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 24,000 | 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, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 16.0 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 66.3).
Belgium is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 40 times the size of Belgium: 1,221,037 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 53.
Military
Belgium spends 3.0 times as much on defence as South Africa: $8.56B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Belgium?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so South Africa is 40 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Belgium?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Belgium?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).