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South Africa

Africa · Southern Africa · capital Pretoria

About South Africa

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, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia 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.

All statistics and world rankings

Data updated April 1, 2026
Statistics and world rankings for South Africa
Populationtotal people63.2Mpeople24th
Land Areatotal km²1.2Mkm²25th
GDP per PersonUSD per person$6.0K123rd
Total GDPUSD · whole economy$381.4B40th
Life Expectancyyears, at birth66.1years181st
Urban Population% living in cities63.6%110th
Internet Users% of people online75.7%112th
Fertility Ratechildren per woman2.22births/woman94th
Tourist Arrivalsvisitors per year8.5Marrivals/year42nd
Forest Cover% of land forested14.0%146th
Unemployment Rate% of labor force32.1%2nd
Military Spending% of GDP0.8%of GDP132nd
Renewable Energy% of energy use9.7%146th
Inflation Rateannual CPI change6.1%85th
Beer Consumptionliters per year59.4L/year28th
Coffee Consumptionkg per year0.6kg/year54th
Wine Consumptionliters per year7.5L/year40th
Education Spending% of GDP6.1%of GDP23rd
Health Spending% of GDP8.9%of GDP46th
Arable Land% of land arable9.9%104th
Foreign Direct InvestmentUSD inflow/year$3.9B54th

Borders South Africa6 countries

Botswanacapital GaboroneEswatinicapital MbabaneLesothocapital MaseruMozambiquecapital MaputoNamibiacapital WindhoekZimbabwecapital Harare

Close to South Africaby population · by area

France population68.4M people · 22nd in the worldTanzania population66.6M people · 23rd in the worldItaly population59.0M people · 25th in the worldKenya population55.3M people · 26th in the worldAngola land area1.2M km² · 23rd in the worldMali land area1.2M km² · 24th in the worldColombia land area1.1M km² · 26th in the worldEthiopia land area1.1M km² · 27th in the world

Regional hubs

All countries in Africa58 countries and territoriesEvery country profile on Countrivo243 countries and territories

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 ZA · alpha-3 ZAF · Southern Africa

Where South Africa stands21 of 21 rankings

2ndUnemployment %32.1%23rdEducation % GDP6.1% of GDP24thPopulation63.2M people

Play with South Africa6 games

Country Draftfive seats, five people, one mapFlag Quizname South Africa from its flagHigher or Loweris South Africa higher or lowerGeoWordlefind a country like South Africa in sixStat Guesserguess a number about South AfricaBlind Pickput countries on their best stat

More in Africa57 countries

AlgeriaAlgiersAngolaLuandaBeninPorto-NovoBotswanaGaboroneBurkina FasoOuagadougouBurundiGitegaCameroonYaoundéCape VerdePraiaCentral African RepublicBanguiChadN'DjamenaComorosMoroniDjiboutiDjibouti

Rankings

Most populated countriesthe 50 biggest by peopleLargest countriesthe 50 biggest by areaRichest countriesthe 50 highest GDP per personAll 21 rankingsevery country ranked on every stat