Updated
Overview
South Africa has 3.4 times the population of Romania: 64.75 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $427.18B for South Africa and $428.68B for Romania.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $428.68B | 2025 | $400.26B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 7.2% | 2025 | 4.4% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $1,722 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 128,000 | 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, 0.7% for Romania).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.2%.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 10.1 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 66.3).
South Africa is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 5.1 times the size of Romania: 1,221,037 km² versus 238,391 km².
Military
Romania spends 3.1 times as much on defence as South Africa: $8.72B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Romania?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so South Africa is 5.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Romania?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Romania?
- Romania spends more: $8.72B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).