

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.
| Statistic | South Africa | United 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.
| Statistic | South Africa | United 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 |
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.
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