South Africa vs United Kingdom

United Kingdom comes out ahead of South Africa on 427 of 612 statistics where one end is better, to 176 with 9 ties. South Africa leads on Travel. United Kingdom leads on Education, Population and Infrastructure & Energy and 9 more categories.

612 statistics with a better end, compared

Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 9 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.

Wins
176
Avg. percentile
42
Categories led
1
Wins
427
Avg. percentile
61
Categories led
12

At a glance

Headline statistics, each ranked among all countries.

StatisticSouth AfricaUnited Kingdom
Population
65,453,084
24th of 235
69,931,528
22nd of 235
Life Expectancy at Birth (Years)Health Indicators by Country (World Bank)
66.3
181st of 215
81.4
42nd of 215
GDP per Person at PPP (International $)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)
$15,906
108th of 184
$64,606
26th of 184
Unemployment Rate (%)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)
32.4%
180th of 181
4.75%
80th of 181
Access to Electricity (% of People)Development Indicators by Country (World Bank)
90.2%
160th of 214
100.0%
tied 1st of 214
Infant Deaths per 1,000 BirthsHealth Indicators by Country (World Bank)
24.2
138th of 195
4.1
tied 39th of 195
GDP per Person (US$)Economic Indicators by Country (World Bank)
$6,598
103rd of 185
$57,602
18th of 185

By category

Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.

  • EducationUnited Kingdom · 7 statistics
  • TravelSouth Africa · 10 statistics
  • PopulationUnited Kingdom · 19 statistics
  • Infrastructure & EnergyUnited Kingdom · 37 statistics
  • EnvironmentUnited Kingdom · 44 statistics
  • Manufacturing & MiningUnited Kingdom · 3 statistics
  • Crime & SafetyUnited Kingdom · 45 statistics
  • Tech & BusinessUnited Kingdom · 21 statistics
  • Politics & GovernmentUnited Kingdom · 39 statistics
  • CultureUnited Kingdom · 70 statistics
  • EconomicsUnited Kingdom · 79 statistics
  • LawUnited Kingdom · 8 statistics
  • HealthUnited Kingdom · 200 statistics

Biggest differences

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

StatisticSouth AfricaUnited Kingdom
Rate of Stabbing DeathsStabbing Deaths by Country
1.81 per 100k
202nd of 202
0.01 per 100k
tied 1st of 202
STD Rate FemaleSTD Rates by Country
50,118 per 100k
201st of 201
11,076 per 100k
7th of 201
Total STD RateSTD Rates by Country
39,598 per 100k
200th of 201
8,901 per 100k
10th of 201
STD Rate MaleSTD Rates by Country
28,466 per 100k
198th of 201
6,631 per 100k
12th of 201
Daily Accommodation CostCheapest Countries to Visit
$39.00
15th of 231
$136
228th of 231
Total Daily CostsCheapest Countries to Visit
$84.00
16th of 231
$270
227th of 231
Daily Entertainment CostCheapest Countries to Visit
$14.00
tied 13th of 231
$47.00
tied 225th of 231
Daily Local Transport CostCheapest Countries to Visit
$11.00
tied 22nd of 231
$32.00
227th of 231
Drought Risk Score (Statista)Droughts by Country
4.44
tied 152nd of 157
1.2
tied 11th of 157
Daily Food And Dining CostCheapest Countries to Visit
$20.00
tied 20th of 231
$55.00
tied 218th of 231
Estimated Road Traffic Death RateRoad Deaths by Country
24.5 per 100k
169th of 188
2.4 per 100k
tied 7th of 188
Homicides RateGun Violence by Country
7.99 per 100k
179th of 204
0.02 per 100k
5th of 204
Rate of Violent Gun Death IHMEGun Deaths by Country
7.99 per 100k
179th of 204
0.02 per 100k
5th of 204
Gonococcal Infection RateSTD Rates by Country
1,534 per 100k
196th of 201
71.9 per 100k
27th of 201
Planet and Climate Rank GCI v1.6Good Country Index by Country
156th
153rd of 171
10th
10th of 171
Environmental HealthGreenest (Most Eco-Friendly) Countries
24.4
153rd of 179
78.1
8th of 179
SafetySocial Progress Index by Country
45.2
164th of 172
84.24
27th of 172
EPI Sanitation & Drinking WaterEnvironmental Performance Index by Country
26.02
143rd of 176
99.1
3rd of 176
EPI Safe Drinking Water ScoreWater Quality by Country
25.2
140th of 172
100.0
tied 1st of 172
GHG Emissions per GDPGreenhouse Gas Emissions by Country
0.61 t CO₂eq/1k$
170th of 197
0.1 t CO₂eq/1k$
tied 12th of 197
Gini Coefficient - WealthWealth Inequality by Country
88.6%
tied 165th of 171
70.6%
tied 31st of 171
Community Safety 2022 to 2024Most Dangerous Countries for Women
25.0%
tied 196th of 198
73.0%
41st of 198
Life ExpectancyPast Life Expectancy by Country
59.47
178th of 200
80.97
21st of 200
CO₂ Emissions per $1K GDPCO₂ Emissions by Country
0.51 tonnes/$1kGDP
tied 189th of 198
0.08 tonnes/$1kGDP
tied 35th of 198
Average IQ (Lynn/Becker)Average IQ by Country
68.87
tied 162nd of 197
99.12
20th of 197
Unemployment Rate - ILOUnemployment by Country
28.8%
154th of 155
3.7%
tied 43rd of 155
LP Natural EnvironmentLegatum Prosperity Index
140th
140th of 167
22nd
22nd of 167
Male Life Expectancy UNLife Expectancy by Country
63.12
203rd of 231
79.89
40th of 231
LP Safety & SecurityLegatum Prosperity Index
136th
136th of 167
21st
21st of 167
GDI Male Life ExpectancyGender Development Index by Country
62.6
164th of 193
79.4
tied 31st of 193
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, South Africa or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom comes out ahead of South Africa on 427 of 612 statistics where one end is better, to 176 with 9 ties. South Africa leads on Travel. United Kingdom leads on Education, Population and Infrastructure & Energy and 9 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
Which has more people, South Africa or United Kingdom?
South Africa has a population of 65,453,084 (24th of 235 countries) and United Kingdom has 69,931,528 (22nd of 235).
How do South Africa and United Kingdom compare on Life Expectancy at Birth (Years)?
Life Expectancy at Birth (Years): South Africa 66.3 (181st of 215), United Kingdom 81.4 (42nd of 215) among countries. United Kingdom ranks better.
How do South Africa and United Kingdom compare on GDP per Person at PPP (International $)?
GDP per Person at PPP (International $): South Africa $15,906 (108th of 184), United Kingdom $64,606 (26th of 184) among countries. United Kingdom ranks better.
Where does South Africa beat United Kingdom most clearly?
South Africa ranks far ahead on Daily Accommodation Cost (Cheapest Countries to Visit): $39.00 vs $136; Total Daily Costs (Cheapest Countries to Visit): $84.00 vs $270; Daily Entertainment Cost (Cheapest Countries to Visit): $14.00 vs $47.00.
Where does United Kingdom beat South Africa most clearly?
United Kingdom ranks far ahead on Rate of Stabbing Deaths (Stabbing Deaths by Country): 0.01 per 100k vs 1.81 per 100k; STD Rate Female (STD Rates by Country): 11,076 per 100k vs 50,118 per 100k; Total STD Rate (STD Rates by Country): 8,901 per 100k vs 39,598 per 100k.

More matchups

Other comparisons with South Africa or United Kingdom.