Updated
Overview
Vietnam has about 55% more people than South Africa: 101.60 million against 64.75 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 20% larger than South Africa's, at $514.70B versus $427.18B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $427.18B | 2025 | $476.39B / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 41 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $485 | 2024 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $2.84B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.7% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.1%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the younger society: median age 28.7 versus 33.4 years.
Life expectancy is 8.4 years longer in Vietnam (74.7 vs 66.3).
South Africa is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 73% smaller than South Africa: 331,212 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 53.
Military
Vietnam spends about 95% more on defence than South Africa: $5.50B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or South Africa?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $5,066. Total GDP tells a different story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or South Africa?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).