Updated
Overview
South Africa has 3.1 times the population of Kazakhstan: 64.75 million people against 20.84 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is about 40% larger than Kazakhstan's, at $427.18B versus $306.24B.
Per person, Kazakhstan is the wealthier of the two: $14,692 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Kazakhstan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $427.18B | $306.24B | 2025 | $400.26B / $288.41B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $14,692 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 6.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 11.4% | 2025 | 4.4% / 8.8% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 4.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $673 | 2020 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $261 | $181 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 20.84 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 20.43 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 29.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 2.95 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 74.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 62% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 2,724,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 7.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 287 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 13.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $1.21B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 71,000 | 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
Kazakhstan is growing much faster: 6.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Kazakhstan runs the hotter price environment: 11.4% inflation versus 3.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Kazakhstan: a price level of 33 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Kazakhstan: $673 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.7 (South Africa) and 29.7 (Kazakhstan).
Life expectancy is 8.2 years longer in Kazakhstan (74.5 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Kazakhstan (93% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 55% smaller than Kazakhstan: 1,221,037 km² versus 2,724,900 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 8.
Military
South Africa spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Kazakhstan: $2.84B versus $1.21B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 71,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Kazakhstan covers 2,724,900 km², so Kazakhstan is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Kazakhstan?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 20.84 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Kazakhstan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Kazakhstan is richer: $14,692 against $6,598. Total GDP tells a different story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $306.24B for Kazakhstan.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Kazakhstan?
- South Africa spends more: $2.84B versus $1.21B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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