Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom and South Africa are nearly matched in population: 69.49 million versus 64.75 million people (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 9.4 times the size of South Africa's, at $4.00T versus $427.18B.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $427.18B | 2025 | $3.64T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $57,602 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | 3.3% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,567 | $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,532 | $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 313 Mt | 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.1% for South Africa).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 15.1 years longer in the United Kingdom (81.4 vs 66.3).
The United Kingdom is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Kingdom (95% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 80% smaller than South Africa: 242,900 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 53.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 29 times as much on defence as South Africa: $81.76B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Kingdom carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or South Africa?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or South Africa?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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