Updated
Overview
South Africa has 25 times the population of Botswana: 64.75 million people against 2.56 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is 21 times the size of Botswana's, at $427.18B versus $19.93B.
Per person, Botswana is the wealthier of the two: $7,778 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Botswana | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $427.18B | $19.93B | 2025 | $400.26B / $19.40B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $7,778 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | -0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 24.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $485 | $483 | 2020 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $261 | $139 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 2.56 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 2.52 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 23.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 2.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 69.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 68% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 78% | 57% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 582,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 4.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 7.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $567.82M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 9,000 | 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
South Africa grew while the other economy contracted: 1.1% against -0.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 2.7% in Botswana.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $483 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Botswana is the younger society: median age 23.4 versus 28.7 years.
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Botswana (69.3 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in South Africa (78% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 2.1 times the size of Botswana: 1,221,037 km² versus 582,000 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 4.
Military
South Africa spends 5.0 times as much on defence as Botswana: $2.84B versus $567.82M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Botswana carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Botswana?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Botswana covers 582,000 km², so South Africa is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Botswana?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 2.56 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Botswana?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Botswana is richer: $7,778 against $6,598. Total GDP tells a different story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $19.93B for Botswana.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Botswana?
- South Africa spends more: $2.84B versus $567.82M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).