South Africa vs Egypt

Every indicator for South Africa and Egypt side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorSouth AfricaEgyptDifference
Population (2025) (people)64,747,319118,365,995−45.3%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)427365+17.0%
GDP per capita ($)6,5983,086+113.8%
Life expectancy (years)66.371.8
Area (km²)1,219,0901,001,450+21.7%
Population density (people/km²)53118−55.1%
Median age (years)28.024.3
Internet usage (%)78.474.6
Unemployment rate (%)32.46.8
Inflation (%)3.214.1
Urban population (%)63.842.9
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)2,8362,396+18.4%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)0.700.67+4.5%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)2.112.93−28.0%
Military expenditure per capita ($)4420+116.4%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)89,000836,000−89.4%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)1.47.1−80.5%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.402.76−85.5%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of South Africa relative to Egypt; a positive value favors South Africa. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), South Africa is 45.3% lower than Egypt.
  • On gdp (nominal), South Africa is 17.0% higher than Egypt.
  • On gdp per capita, South Africa is 113.8% higher than Egypt.
South Africa and Egypt — core indicators
050 mn100 mn150 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — South Africa: 64.747.319GDP (nominal) — South Africa: 427GDP per capita — South Africa: 6.598Area — South Africa: 1.219.090Population (2025) — Egypt: 118.365.995GDP (nominal) — Egypt: 365GDP per capita — Egypt: 3.086Area — Egypt: 1.001.450
South AfricaEgypt

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving South Africa or Egypt.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI