South Africa vs Turkey
Every indicator for South Africa and Turkey side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | South Africa | Turkey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 64,747,319 | 85,878,556 | −24.6% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 427 | 1,597 | −73.3% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 6,598 | 18,599 | −64.5% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 66.3 | 77.4 | — |
| Area (km²) | 1,219,090 | 785,350 | +55.2% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 53 | 109 | −51.4% |
| Median age (years) | 28.0 | 34.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 78.4 | 89.8 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 32.4 | 8.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.2 | 34.9 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 63.8 | 89.5 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 2,836 | 24,979 | −88.6% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 0.70 | 1.92 | −63.5% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.11 | — | — |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 44 | 291 | −84.9% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 89,000 | 512,000 | −82.6% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 1.4 | 6.0 | −76.9% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.40 | 1.61 | −75.2% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of South Africa relative to Turkey; a positive value favors South Africa. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Turkey is higher on 10 of the 11 indicators, while South Africa leads on the remaining 1. The widest separation is in military expenditure (2024), about 8.8 times; they are closest on population (2025).
Key differences
- Turkey's military expenditure (2024) (24,979) is about 8.8 times South Africa's (2,836).
- Turkey's military expenditure per capita (291) is about 6.6 times South Africa's (44).
- Turkey's armed forces personnel (2020) (512,000) is about 5.8 times South Africa's (89,000).
- Turkey's armed forces per 1,000 people (6.0) is about 4.3 times South Africa's (1.4).
- Turkey's armed forces as a share of the labor force (1.61) is about 4.0 times South Africa's (0.40).
Frequently asked questions
Where do South Africa and Turkey differ most?
Where are South Africa and Turkey most alike?
On how many indicators is South Africa ahead of Turkey?
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 South Africa or Turkey.
South Africa profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Turkey profile →
All statistics, series, and details.