Updated
Overview
South Africa and Italy are nearly matched in population: 64.75 million versus 58.92 million people (2025).
Italy's economy is 6.0 times the size of South Africa's, at $2.55T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $400.26B / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $3,994 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 338,000 | 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 is growing faster: 1.1% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 1.5% in Italy.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 17.6 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Italy (89% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 4.1 times the size of Italy: 1,221,037 km² versus 301,336 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 53.
Military
Italy spends 13 times as much on defence as South Africa: $37.96B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Italy carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Italy?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so South Africa is 4.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Italy?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).