Updated
Overview
South Africa has 7.1 times the population of Switzerland: 64.75 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.4 times the size of South Africa's, at $1.04T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $400.26B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | Higher: $7,309 | 2020 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 20,000 | 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, 1.3% for Switzerland).
South Africa runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 18.1 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 66.3).
Switzerland is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 30 times the size of Switzerland: 1,221,037 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 53.
Military
Switzerland spends 2.4 times as much on defence as South Africa: $6.72B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Switzerland?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so South Africa is 30 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Switzerland?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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