At a glance
Pakistan vs South Africa: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  Pakistan |  South Africa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 260,505,185 | 65,655,199 | Pakistan 4× |
| Population growth rate % per year | +1.6 | +1.1 | +0.5 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 327.22026 | 53.92026 | +273.4 |
| Surface area km² | 796,1002023 | 1,219,0902023 | South Africa 1.5× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 27.42024 | 18.52024 | +8.9 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 6.42024 | 9.22024 | -2.8 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | -4.4 | +2 | -6.4 |
| Urban population % of population | 39.52025 | 63.82025 | -24.3 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 102.5 | 94.7 | +7.8 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 67.82024 | 66.32024 | +1.5 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 3.552024 | 2.212024 | +1.34 |
| Median age years | 20.8 | 28.9 | -8.1 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 46.5 | 21.9 | +24.6 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 36.22025 | 25.72025 | +10.5 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 4.42025 | 6.92025 | -2.5 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $407.31B2025 | $427.18B2025 | South Africa 1× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $1,5962025 | $6,5982025 | South Africa 4.1× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 5.42025 | 32.42025 | -27 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 3.52025 | 3.22025 | +0.3 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 2042024 | 440.22024 | South Africa 2.2× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 0.812024 | 6.882024 | -6.07 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 4152023 | 1,9392023 | South Africa 4.7× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 41.62021 | 9.72021 | +31.9 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 4.72023 | 142023 | -9.3 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 2262022 | 7182022 | South Africa 3.2× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 3262022 | 47.12022 | +278.9 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 57.32024 | 78.42024 | -21.1 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 76.92024 | 179.32024 | -102.5 |
▲ 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 Pakistan minus South Africa for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
Pakistan compared with South Africa
Pakistan has a live population of about 260,505,185 (#5 in the world) and South Africa about 65,655,199 (#24), so Pakistan has 4 times as many people as South Africa. Pakistan is growing at 1.6% a year and South Africa at 1.1%.
By area South Africa is larger: 1,219,090 km² against 796,100 km², which gives population densities of 327.2 people per km² in Pakistan and 53.9 in South Africa.
Pakistan's economy is worth $407.31B (2025) and South Africa's $427.18B (2025); per person that is $1,596 in Pakistan versus $6,598 in South Africa, so the average South Africa resident produces 4.1 times as much.
Life expectancy is 67.8 years in Pakistan and 66.3 in South Africa; women have 3.5 children on average in Pakistan compared with 2.2 in South Africa; the median age is 20.8 versus 28.9 years.
39.5% of Pakistan's people live in cities against 63.8% in South Africa; 57.3% use the internet in Pakistan and 78.4% in South Africa; CO₂ emissions per person are 0.8 t in Pakistan 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, Pakistan or South Africa?
By population Pakistan is bigger: 260,505,185 people versus 65,655,199 (live estimates, October 2026). By area South Africa is larger (1,219,090 km² vs 796,100 km²).
Which has the larger economy, Pakistan or South Africa?
South Africa: GDP of $427,184,325,997 versus $407,307,214,476 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, Pakistan or South Africa?
Life expectancy at birth is 67.8 years in Pakistan and 66.3 years in South Africa, a difference of 1.5 years in favour of Pakistan.
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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South Africa vs ItalySources & method: live populations are linear extrapolations of the UN World Population Prospects estimates; all other indicators are the latest values from World Bank Open Data (UN WPP for median age, infant mortality, sex ratio and net migration). Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.