Updated
Overview
South Africa has 5.6 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 64.75 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 29% larger than South Africa's, at $552.32B versus $427.18B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $427.18B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $400.26B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $6,598 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 4.4% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | — | 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 78% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.9 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 63,000 | 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
The United Arab Emirates is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
South Africa is the younger society: median age 28.7 versus 31.6 years.
Life expectancy is 16.8 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 66.3).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 15 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 1,221,037 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 53.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 8.0 times as much on defence as South Africa: $22.76B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so South Africa is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or the United Arab Emirates?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for South Africa · United Arab Emirates