Updated
Overview
Thailand has 11% more people than South Africa: 71.62 million against 64.75 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is about 35% larger than South Africa's, at $577.01B versus $427.18B.
Per person, Thailand is the wealthier of the two: $8,057 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Thailand | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $577.01B | $427.18B | 2025 | $526.41B / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $8,057 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.4% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -0.1% | 3.2% | 2025 | 1.4% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.8% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $508 | $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $254 | Higher: $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.02 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 71.62 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 70.03 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.19 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.6 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 91% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 513,120 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 139.6/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 268 Mt | 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.52B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.1% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 455,000 | 89,000 | 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
Thailand is growing faster: 2.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
South Africa runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus -0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Thailand: a price level of 31 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Thailand: $508 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 10.3 years longer in Thailand (76.6 vs 66.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Thailand (91% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Thailand is 58% smaller than South Africa: 513,120 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Thailand is far more densely settled: 140 people per km² against 53.
Military
Thailand spends about 95% more on defence than South Africa: $5.52B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Thailand fields the larger armed forces: 455,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Thailand bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. Thailand covers 513,120 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Thailand or South Africa?
- Thailand has the larger population: 71.62 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Thailand richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Thailand is richer: $8,057 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $577.01B for Thailand versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Thailand or South Africa?
- Thailand spends more: $5.52B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).