Country

South Africa in charts

The figure for South Africa on 10 Chartly charts that compare the countries, each next to the world figure and linked to its chart, where you'll find its source, its date and every country's numbers.

Key numbers

  • GDP per person

    GDP per person, US dollars · 2024

    $6,267

    World: $13,717
    116th highest of 200

  • Population

    People · 2025

    64.7M

    World: 8.22B
    24th highest of 217

  • Life expectancy

    Life expectancy at birth, years · 2024

    66.3

    World: 73.5
    Tied for 183rd highest of 217

  • Internet use

    People using the internet, % of population · 2024

    78.4%

    World: 71.2%
    102nd highest of 182

  • Access to electricity

    People with access to electricity, % of population · 2024

    90.2%

    World: 91.9%
    161st highest of 215

  • Unemployment

    Unemployment rate, % of labor force · 2025

    32.4%

    World: 4.8%
    2nd highest of 182

  • Inflation

    Inflation, % change in consumer prices over the year · 2024

    4.4%

    World: 3%
    Tied for 54th highest of 176

  • Carbon emissions per person

    Carbon dioxide emissions, tonnes per person · 2024

    6.9

    World: 4.7
    Tied for 35th highest of 203

  • Health spending per person

    Health spending per person, US dollars · 2023

    $537

    World: $1,317
    84th highest of 191

  • College enrollment

    College and university students, % of young adults · 2022

    23.7%

    World: 42%
    100th highest of 126

Each year's figure from the World Bank, next to the world's (dashed) where a world figure means something.

Internet use in South Africa and the world, 1990 to 2024

South Africa: Up from 0% in 1990 to 78.4% in 2024. The world: 71.2% in 2024.

The interactive chart needs JavaScript.

Every country's internet use · Source: World Bank, IT.NET.USER.ZS (CC BY 4.0)

Life expectancy in South Africa and the world, 1990 to 2024

South Africa: Up from 62.9 years in 1990 to 66.3 years in 2024. The world: 73.5 years in 2024.

The interactive chart needs JavaScript.

Every country's life expectancy · Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN (CC BY 4.0)

GDP per person in South Africa and the world, 1990 to 2025

South Africa: Up from $3,093 in 1990 to $6,598 in 2025. The world: $14,406 in 2025.

The interactive chart needs JavaScript.

Every country's gdp per person · Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (CC BY 4.0)

Population in South Africa, 1990 to 2025

South Africa: Up from 40.7 million people in 1990 to 64.7 million people in 2025.

The interactive chart needs JavaScript.

Every country's population · Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL (CC BY 4.0)

Compare South Africa with other countries

Figures are from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), for the newest year most countries have reported; many are estimates, and they are revised as new data comes in. GDP per person is in US dollars at each year's exchange rates, not adjusted for differences in prices, and so is health spending. Ranks count every country and territory on the chart.