At a glance
France vs South Africa: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  France |  South Africa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 66,776,132 | 65,655,199 | France 1× |
| Population growth rate % per year | +0.1 | +1.1 | -0.9 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 110.12026 | 53.92026 | +56.3 |
| Surface area km² | 606,4102023 | 1,219,0902023 | South Africa 2× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 9.72024 | 18.52024 | -8.8 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 9.42024 | 9.22024 | +0.2 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +1.3 | +2 | -0.7 |
| Urban population % of population | 78.82025 | 63.82025 | +15 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 94.1 | 94.7 | -0.6 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 832024 | 66.32024 | +16.7 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.612024 | 2.212024 | -0.59 |
| Median age years | 42.5 | 28.9 | +13.6 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 3 | 21.9 | -18.9 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 16.22025 | 25.72025 | -9.5 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 22.52025 | 6.92025 | +15.7 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $3.37T2025 | $427.18B2025 | France 7.9× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $48,9862025 | $6,5982025 | France 7.4× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 7.52025 | 32.42025 | -24.8 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 0.92025 | 3.22025 | -2.3 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 274.52024 | 440.22024 | South Africa 1.6× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 42024 | 6.882024 | -2.87 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 3,1852024 | 1,9392023 | France 1.6× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 16.22021 | 9.72021 | +6.5 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 32.52023 | 142023 | +18.5 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 2,9332022 | 7182022 | France 4.1× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 12.22022 | 47.12022 | -34.9 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 88.72024 | 78.42024 | +10.3 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 116.72023 | 179.32024 | -62.6 |
▲ marks the higher value (for death rate, infant mortality, unemployment, inflation, CO₂ and water stress: the lower value). "Difference" is the ratio for absolute measures and France minus South Africa for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
France compared with South Africa
France has a live population of about 66,776,132 (#23 in the world) and South Africa about 65,655,199 (#24), so France has 1 times as many people as South Africa. France is growing at 0.1% a year and South Africa at 1.1%.
By area South Africa is larger: 1,219,090 km² against 606,410 km², which gives population densities of 110.1 people per km² in France and 53.9 in South Africa.
France's economy is worth $3.37T (2025) and South Africa's $427.18B (2025); per person that is $48,986 in France versus $6,598 in South Africa, so the average France resident produces 7.4 times as much.
Life expectancy is 83 years in France and 66.3 in South Africa; women have 1.6 children on average in France compared with 2.2 in South Africa; the median age is 42.5 versus 28.9 years.
78.8% of France's people live in cities against 63.8% in South Africa; 88.7% use the internet in France and 78.4% in South Africa; CO₂ emissions per person are 4 t in France and 6.9 t in South Africa.
Population over time
Life expectancy & fertility
Birth & death rates
Age structure
CO₂ emissions
Energy use & renewables
Forest area
Urban population
Water resources & stress
Economy
Unemployment & inflation
Internet & mobile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, France or South Africa?
By population France is bigger: 66,776,132 people versus 65,655,199 (live estimates, October 2026). By area South Africa is larger (1,219,090 km² vs 606,410 km²).
Which has the larger economy, France or South Africa?
France: GDP of $3,366,315,927,447 versus $427,184,325,997 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, France or South Africa?
Life expectancy at birth is 83 years in France and 66.3 years in South Africa, a difference of 16.7 years in favour of France.
How are these comparisons calculated?
Live populations extrapolate the UN World Population Prospects baseline with each country's growth rate; every other figure is the latest value published by World Bank Open Data (or the UN for median age, infant mortality and migration). Each row shows the year of the figure, and the charts below overlay the full historical series of both countries.
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