South Africa

Southern Africa, Africa

Population

#24of 195 countries

63.2M people

World Bank 2023

About the size of Mali

1.2M km² against 1.2M km². Total area, REST Countries.

86% of world median

GDP per person

Method

Median among 189 other countries with data. GDP per person is not household income.

World rankings

Sovereign states with data

Highest rankings

Unemployment %32.1%. World Bank 2023.2 of 179 Population63.2M people. World Bank 2023.24 of 195 Total Area1.2M km². REST Countries 2023.24 of 195

Lowest rankings

Life Expectancy66.1 years. World Bank 2022.159 of 194 Renewables %9.7%. World Bank 2021.144 of 192 Forest %14.0%. World Bank 2021.135 of 194

Neighbours

People from here

Nelson Mandela

first president of democratic South Africa

Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel, CC BY-SA 2.0

Desmond Tutu

archbishop and anti-apartheid campaigner

Photo: Benny Gool, Public domain

Steve Biko

founder of the Black Consciousness Movement

Photo: Cape Argus, Public domain

Shaka

Zulu king who reorganised the army

Photo: James King, Public domain

Miriam Makeba

singer known as Mama Africa

Photo: Paul Weinberg, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hugh Masekela

trumpeter and songwriter

Photo: WOMEX, CC BY 2.0

Play with South Africa

South Africa, in short

What is the capital of South Africa?

The capital of South Africa is Pretoria. Pretoria is the seat of national government for South Africa, a country in Southern Africa.

What is the population of South Africa?

South Africa has a population of about 63.2 million people, the 24th largest population in the world. Population figures come from World Bank estimates.

How big is South Africa?

South Africa covers 1,221,037 square kilometers (471,445 square miles), making South Africa the 25th largest country in the world by area.

Which countries border South Africa?

South Africa borders 6 countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.

What is the life expectancy in South Africa?

Life expectancy at birth in South Africa is 66.1 years, the 181st highest of any country in the world.

What continent is South Africa in?

South Africa is in Africa, in the Southern Africa region. South Africa is one of 58 countries and territories in Africa.