Ethiopia vs South Africa
Every indicator for Ethiopia and South Africa side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Ethiopia | South Africa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 135,472,051 | 64,747,319 | +109.2% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 126 | 427 | −70.5% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 933 | 6,598 | −85.9% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 67.6 | 66.3 | — |
| Area (km²) | 1,136,240 | 1,219,090 | −6.8% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 119 | 53 | +124.5% |
| Median age (years) | 19.0 | 28.0 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 21.9 | 78.4 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.3 | 32.4 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 13.2 | 3.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 24.1 | 63.8 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 922 | 2,836 | −67.5% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 0.65 | 0.70 | −7.1% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 6.91 | 2.11 | +227.5% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 7 | 44 | −84.5% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 138,000 | 89,000 | +55.1% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 1.0 | 1.4 | −25.9% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.28 | 0.40 | −30.0% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Ethiopia relative to South Africa; a positive value favors Ethiopia. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
South Africa is higher on 8 of the 12 indicators, while Ethiopia leads on the remaining 4. The widest separation is in gdp per capita, about 7.1 times; they are closest on area.
Key differences
- South Africa's gdp per capita (6,598) is about 7.1 times Ethiopia's (933).
- South Africa's military expenditure per capita (44) is about 6.4 times Ethiopia's (7).
- South Africa's gdp (nominal) (427) is about 3.4 times Ethiopia's (126).
- Ethiopia's military expenditure as a share of government spending (6.91) is about 3.3 times South Africa's (2.11).
- South Africa's military expenditure (2024) (2,836) is about 3.1 times Ethiopia's (922).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Ethiopia and South Africa differ most?
In gdp per capita. South Africa records 6,598 against Ethiopia's 933 — a ratio of roughly 7.1 to one.
Where are Ethiopia and South Africa most alike?
In area, at 1,219,090 and 1,136,240 — a gap of only %7.3.
On how many indicators is Ethiopia ahead of South Africa?
Ethiopia is higher on 4 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and South Africa on 8. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
EthiopiaSouth Africa
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving Ethiopia or South Africa.
Ethiopia profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
South Africa profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI