Updated
Overview
South Africa has 6.1 times the population of Sweden: 64.75 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Sweden's economy is about 55% larger than South Africa's, at $669.00B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $669.00B | 2025 | $400.26B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $4,783 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 15,000 | 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, 1.5% for Sweden).
South Africa runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 17.8 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 66.3).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Sweden (96% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 2.7 times the size of Sweden: 1,221,037 km² versus 450,295 km².
South Africa is far more densely settled: 53 people per km² against 24.
Military
Sweden spends 4.2 times as much on defence as South Africa: $12.04B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Sweden carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Sweden?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so South Africa is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Sweden?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Sweden?
- Sweden spends more: $12.04B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).