Egypt, Arab Rep. vs South Africa
Head-to-head on World Bank economic and development indicators.
Comparing Egypt, Arab Rep. and South Africa: the larger economy is South Africa ($389.1B vs $401.1B GDP), while the higher GDP per capita belongs to South Africa ($3,338 vs $6,267). Life expectancy is higher in Egypt, Arab Rep. (71.8 vs 66.3 years). The full side-by-side table is below. All figures are World Bank, latest available year.
Source: World Bank Open Data. Data as of June 2026.
Egypt, Arab Rep. vs South Africa: side by side
| Indicator | Egypt, Arab Rep. | South Africa | Leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (current US$) | $389.1B | $401.1B | South Africa |
| GDP per capita (current US$) | $3,338 | $6,267 | South Africa |
| Population, total | 116,538,258 | 64,007,187 | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
| Population growth (annual %) | 1.7% | 1.2% | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
| GDP growth (annual %) | 2.4% | 0.5% | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
| Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) | 28.3% | 4.4% | South Africa |
| Unemployment, total (% of labour force, modelled ILO) | 6.8% | 32.4% | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | 71.8 | 66.3 | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | 74.6% | 78.4% | South Africa |
| Urban population (% of total) | 42.8% | 63.7% | South Africa |
| CO2 emissions per capita (tonnes) | 2.50 | 6.88 | Egypt, Arab Rep. |
Source: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0), retrieved June 2026. Values are each indicator's latest available year, which can differ between the two countries.
Who leads on what
- GDP (size of economy): South Africa
- GDP per capita (income): South Africa
- Life expectancy: Egypt, Arab Rep.
- Internet users: South Africa
- Lower inflation: South Africa
- Lower unemployment: Egypt, Arab Rep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Egypt, Arab Rep. or South Africa richer?
South Africa is richer on GDP per capita — Egypt, Arab Rep. at $3,338 versus $6,267 for South Africa (World Bank). By total GDP, the larger economy is South Africa ($389.1B vs $401.1B).
Which has a bigger economy, Egypt, Arab Rep. or South Africa?
South Africa has the larger economy: Egypt, Arab Rep.'s GDP is $389.1B and South Africa's is $401.1B in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).
Which is bigger by population, Egypt, Arab Rep. or South Africa?
Egypt, Arab Rep. is more populous: Egypt, Arab Rep. has about 116.5 million people and South Africa about 64.0 million.
Where do people live longer, Egypt, Arab Rep. or South Africa?
Life expectancy is higher in Egypt, Arab Rep.: 71.8 years in Egypt, Arab Rep. versus 66.3 in South Africa (World Bank).
Full profiles & more comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-20