Which has more people, Iran or South Africa?

Iran has a population of 93,168,497 (17th of 235 countries) and South Africa has 65,453,084 (24th of 235).

How do Iran and South Africa compare on Life Expectancy at Birth (Years)?

Life Expectancy at Birth (Years): Iran 77.9 (74th of 215), South Africa 66.3 (181st of 215) among countries. Iran ranks better.

How do Iran and South Africa compare on GDP per Person at PPP (International $)?

GDP per Person at PPP (International $): Iran $19,699 (96th of 184), South Africa $15,906 (108th of 184) among countries. Iran ranks better.

Where does Iran beat South Africa most clearly?

Iran ranks far ahead on Crude Incidence (Cervical Cancer Rates by Country): 2.5 per 100k vs 35.6 per 100k; Rate of Stabbing Deaths (Stabbing Deaths by Country): 0.02 per 100k vs 1.81 per 100k; ASR Incidence (Cervical Cancer Rates by Country): 2.3 per 100k vs 35.3 per 100k.

Where does South Africa beat Iran most clearly?

South Africa ranks far ahead on Parliamentary Representation of Women (Most Dangerous Countries for Women): 44.7% vs 4.9%; Press Freedom Index Score (RSF) (Freedom Index by Country): 75.71 vs 16.22; LGBTQI+ Travel Safety Index (Most Homophobic Countries): 317 vs -105.

Iran vs South Africa

Iran comes out ahead of South Africa on 283 of 530 statistics where one end is better, to 246 with 1 ties. Iran leads on Health, Manufacturing & Mining and Crime & Safety and 1 more category. South Africa leads on Law, Politics & Government and Travel and 4 more categories.

530 statistics with a better end, compared

Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.

Iran

Wins: 283
Avg. percentile: 44
Categories led: 4

South Africa

Wins: 246
Avg. percentile: 42
Categories led: 7

At a glance

Headline statistics, each ranked among all countries.

Statistic	Iran	South Africa
Population	93,168,497 17th of 235	65,453,084 24th of 235
Life Expectancy at Birth (Years)Health Indicators by Country (World Bank)	77.9 74th of 215	66.3 181st of 215
GDP per Person at PPP (International $)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)	$19,699 96th of 184	$15,906 108th of 184
Unemployment Rate (%)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)	8.3% 132nd of 181	32.4% 180th of 181
Access to Electricity (% of People)Development Indicators by Country (World Bank)	100.0% tied 1st of 214	90.2% 160th of 214
Infant Deaths per 1,000 BirthsHealth Indicators by Country (World Bank)	10.3 83rd of 195	24.2 138th of 195
GDP per Person (US$)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)	$3,924 129th of 185	$6,598 103rd of 185

By category

Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.

LawSouth Africa · 6 statistics
Politics & GovernmentSouth Africa · 36 statistics
TravelSouth Africa · 9 statistics
CultureSouth Africa · 71 statistics
HealthIran · 203 statistics
PopulationSouth Africa · 19 statistics
Manufacturing & MiningIran · 3 statistics
Crime & SafetyIran · 47 statistics
Infrastructure & EnergySouth Africa · 36 statistics
EducationIran · 10 statistics
Tech & BusinessSouth Africa · 20 statistics
EconomicsEven · 72 statistics
EnvironmentEven · 44 statistics

Biggest differences

The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 118 countries.

Statistic	Iran	South Africa
Crude IncidenceCervical Cancer Rates by Country	2.5 per 100k tied 5th of 176	35.6 per 100k tied 170th of 176
Rate of Stabbing DeathsStabbing Deaths by Country	0.02 per 100k tied 10th of 202	1.81 per 100k 202nd of 202
Parliamentary Representation of WomenMost Dangerous Countries for Women	4.9% 189th of 197	44.7% 16th of 197
ASR IncidenceCervical Cancer Rates by Country	2.3 per 100k 2nd of 176	35.3 per 100k 156th of 176
Cumulative Risk Ages 0-74Cervical Cancer Rates by Country	0.3% tied 1st of 176	3.6% tied 151st of 176
Press Freedom Index Score (RSF)Freedom Index by Country	16.22 172nd of 176	75.71 27th of 176
HIV RateHIV Rates by Country	29.98 per 100k 34th of 201	15,778 per 100k 199th of 201
LGBTQI+ Travel Safety IndexMost Homophobic Countries	-105 177th of 197	317 16th of 197
HIV Rates MaleHIV Rates by Country	37.53 per 100k 34th of 201	11,673 per 100k 198th of 201
HIV Rates FemaleHIV Rates by Country	22.16 per 100k 39th of 201	19,657 per 100k 199th of 201
Pct Stomach Cancer Risk at 74Stomach Cancer Rates by Country	2.4% 181st of 184	0.4% tied 35th of 184
Total Daily CostsCheapest Countries to Visit	$146 tied 194th of 231	$84.00 16th of 231
Vacc. Rate BCGVaccination Rates by Country	99.0% tied 1st of 153	74.0% tied 137th of 153
Community Safety 2022 to 2024Most Dangerous Countries for Women	72.0% tied 42nd of 198	25.0% tied 196th of 198
Vacc. Rate POL3Vaccination Rates by Country	99.0% tied 1st of 192	74.0% tied 156th of 192
% Overweight (Age < 5)Childhood Obesity Rates by Country	2.7% tied 23rd of 163	12.8% 148th of 163
Stomach Cancer ASRStomach Cancer Rates by Country	19.4 cases per 100k tied 181st of 185	3.6 cases per 100k tied 39th of 185
LP Personal FreedomLegatum Prosperity Index	165th 165th of 167	38th 38th of 167
Vacc. Rate MCV1Vaccination Rates by Country	99.0% tied 1st of 193	76.0% 156th of 193
Vacc. Rate IPV1Vaccination Rates by Country	99.0% tied 1st of 193	76.0% tied 160th of 193
% Stomach Cancer Mortality at 74Stomach Cancer Rates by Country	1.5% tied 178th of 184	0.32% tied 40th of 184
Daily Accommodation CostCheapest Countries to Visit	$72.00 tied 178th of 231	$39.00 15th of 231
WJP RoLI Open Government ScoreWorld Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index	0.27 tied 139th of 142	0.61 tied 34th of 142
Head of Government Annual SalaryWhat Country has the Highest Paid Government Leader?	$20,400 134th of 158	$223,500 20th of 158
Daily Entertainment CostCheapest Countries to Visit	$26.00 tied 166th of 231	$14.00 tied 13th of 231
Government Response (higher is better)Countries that Still Have Slavery	8% 172nd of 174	53.0% tied 49th of 174
Stomach Cancer Mortality ASRStomach Cancer Rates by Country	15.4 cases per 100k 183rd of 185	3.1 cases per 100k tied 50th of 185
Vacc. Rate DTP3Vaccination Rates by Country	98.0% tied 21st of 193	74.0% tied 160th of 193
Homophobic Climate Index Rank (UN)Most Homophobic Countries	26th 26th worst of 157	137th 22nd best of 157
Vacc. Rate HEPB3Vaccination Rates by Country	98.0% tied 20th of 189	74.0% tied 155th of 189

See every statistic they shareSearch and sort all of them, adjust for cost of living or population, or add up to two more places.

Quick answers

Which is better, Iran or South Africa?: Iran comes out ahead of South Africa on 283 of 530 statistics where one end is better, to 246 with 1 ties. Iran leads on Health, Manufacturing & Mining and Crime & Safety and 1 more category. South Africa leads on Law, Politics & Government and Travel and 4 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
Which has more people, Iran or South Africa?: Iran has a population of 93,168,497 (17th of 235 countries) and South Africa has 65,453,084 (24th of 235).
How do Iran and South Africa compare on Life Expectancy at Birth (Years)?: Life Expectancy at Birth (Years): Iran 77.9 (74th of 215), South Africa 66.3 (181st of 215) among countries. Iran ranks better.
How do Iran and South Africa compare on GDP per Person at PPP (International $)?: GDP per Person at PPP (International $): Iran $19,699 (96th of 184), South Africa $15,906 (108th of 184) among countries. Iran ranks better.
Where does Iran beat South Africa most clearly?: Iran ranks far ahead on Crude Incidence (Cervical Cancer Rates by Country): 2.5 per 100k vs 35.6 per 100k; Rate of Stabbing Deaths (Stabbing Deaths by Country): 0.02 per 100k vs 1.81 per 100k; ASR Incidence (Cervical Cancer Rates by Country): 2.3 per 100k vs 35.3 per 100k.
Where does South Africa beat Iran most clearly?: South Africa ranks far ahead on Parliamentary Representation of Women (Most Dangerous Countries for Women): 44.7% vs 4.9%; Press Freedom Index Score (RSF) (Freedom Index by Country): 75.71 vs 16.22; LGBTQI+ Travel Safety Index (Most Homophobic Countries): 317 vs -105.

More matchups

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