At a glance
United Kingdom vs South Africa: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  United Kingdom |  South Africa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 70,039,936 | 65,655,199 | United Kingdom 1.1× |
| Population growth rate % per year | +0.5 | +1.1 | -0.5 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 287.52026 | 53.92026 | +233.7 |
| Surface area km² | 243,6102023 | 1,219,0902023 | South Africa 5× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 9.92024 | 18.52024 | -8.6 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 9.72024 | 9.22024 | +0.5 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +5.2 | +2 | +3.2 |
| Urban population % of population | 83.32025 | 63.82025 | +19.5 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 97.1 | 94.7 | +2.4 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 81.42024 | 66.32024 | +15.1 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.552024 | 2.212024 | -0.65 |
| Median age years | 40.2 | 28.9 | +11.3 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 3.4 | 21.9 | -18.5 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 172025 | 25.72025 | -8.8 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 19.72025 | 6.92025 | +12.8 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $4.00T2025 | $427.18B2025 | United Kingdom 9.4× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $57,6022025 | $6,5982025 | United Kingdom 8.7× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 4.72025 | 32.42025 | -27.6 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 3.92025 | 3.22025 | +0.7 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 292.42024 | 440.22024 | South Africa 1.5× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 4.222024 | 6.882024 | -2.66 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 2,0692024 | 1,9392023 | United Kingdom 1.1× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 12.22021 | 9.72021 | +2.5 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 13.32023 | 142023 | -0.7 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 2,1442022 | 7182022 | United Kingdom 3× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 5.82022 | 47.12022 | -41.3 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 95.52024 | 78.42024 | +17.1 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 121.62024 | 179.32024 | -57.7 |
▲ 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 United Kingdom minus South Africa for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
United Kingdom compared with South Africa
United Kingdom has a live population of about 70,039,936 (#22 in the world) and South Africa about 65,655,199 (#24), so United Kingdom has 1.1 times as many people as South Africa. United Kingdom is growing at 0.5% a year and South Africa at 1.1%.
By area South Africa is larger: 1,219,090 km² against 243,610 km², which gives population densities of 287.5 people per km² in United Kingdom and 53.9 in South Africa.
United Kingdom's economy is worth $4.00T (2025) and South Africa's $427.18B (2025); per person that is $57,602 in United Kingdom versus $6,598 in South Africa, so the average United Kingdom resident produces 8.7 times as much.
Life expectancy is 81.4 years in United Kingdom and 66.3 in South Africa; women have 1.6 children on average in United Kingdom compared with 2.2 in South Africa; the median age is 40.2 versus 28.9 years.
83.3% of United Kingdom's people live in cities against 63.8% in South Africa; 95.5% use the internet in United Kingdom and 78.4% in South Africa; CO₂ emissions per person are 4.2 t in United Kingdom 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, United Kingdom or South Africa?
By population United Kingdom is bigger: 70,039,936 people versus 65,655,199 (live estimates, October 2026). By area South Africa is larger (1,219,090 km² vs 243,610 km²).
Which has the larger economy, United Kingdom or South Africa?
United Kingdom: GDP of $4,002,587,541,846 versus $427,184,325,997 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, United Kingdom or South Africa?
Life expectancy at birth is 81.4 years in United Kingdom and 66.3 years in South Africa, a difference of 15.1 years in favour of United Kingdom.
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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