Updated
Overview
South Africa has 6.0 times the population of Portugal: 64.75 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is 23% larger than Portugal's, at $427.18B versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $427.18B | $346.64B | 2025 | $400.26B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $1,426 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 52,000 | 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
Portugal is growing faster: 1.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 2.3% in Portugal.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 16.1 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Portugal (88% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 13 times the size of Portugal: 1,221,037 km² versus 92,090 km².
Portugal is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 53.
Military
Portugal spends about 65% more on defence than South Africa: $4.64B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Portugal carries the heavier military burden: 1.5% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Portugal?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so South Africa is 13 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Portugal?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $6,598. Total GDP tells a different story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Portugal?
- Portugal spends more: $4.64B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).