Updated
Overview
South Africa has 3.8 times the population of Zimbabwe: 64.75 million people against 16.95 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is 8.3 times the size of Zimbabwe's, at $427.18B versus $51.22B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $3,021 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Zimbabwe | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $427.18B | $51.22B | 2025 | $400.26B / $44.19B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,598 | $3,021 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.1% | Higher: 8.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 104.7% | 2025 / 2022 | 4.4% / — |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 9.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 56 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $485 | — | 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $261 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 16.95 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 17.47 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 18.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 3.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 66.3 yrs | 63.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 78% | 42% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 390,757 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 43.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 14 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 0.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $98.39M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 51,000 | 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
Zimbabwe is growing much faster: 8.1% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Zimbabwe at 104.7%, while the other economy sits at 3.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 56 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Zimbabwe is the far younger society: median age 18.1 versus 28.7 years.
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in South Africa (66.3 vs 63.1).
South Africa is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Africa (78% vs 42% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 3.1 times the size of Zimbabwe: 1,221,037 km² versus 390,757 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
South Africa spends 29 times as much on defence as Zimbabwe: $2.84B versus $98.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 51,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Zimbabwe?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Zimbabwe covers 390,757 km², so South Africa is 3.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Zimbabwe?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 16.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Zimbabwe?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $3,021. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $51.22B for Zimbabwe.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Zimbabwe?
- South Africa spends more: $2.84B versus $98.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).