Updated
Overview
The United States has 5.3 times the population of South Africa: 341.78 million people against 64.75 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 72 times the size of South Africa's, at $30.77T versus $427.18B.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $427.18B | 2025 | $29.18T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 3.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,257 | $261 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 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
The United States is growing faster: 2.2% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in the United States and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 38.5 years.
Life expectancy is 12.6 years longer in the United States (78.9 vs 66.3).
The United States is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United States (95% vs 78% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 8.1 times the size of South Africa: 9,833,517 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Military
The United States spends 352 times as much on defence as South Africa: $997.31B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than South Africa?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so the United States is 8.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or South Africa?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or South Africa?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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