Nigeria vs South Africa
Head-to-head on World Bank economic and development indicators.
Comparing Nigeria and South Africa: the larger economy is South Africa ($252.3B vs $401.1B GDP), while the higher GDP per capita belongs to South Africa ($1,084 vs $6,267). Life expectancy is higher in South Africa (54.6 vs 66.3 years). The full side-by-side table is below. All figures are World Bank, latest available year.
Source: World Bank Open Data. Data as of June 2026.
Nigeria vs South Africa: side by side
| Indicator | Nigeria | South Africa | Leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (current US$) | $252.3B | $401.1B | South Africa |
| GDP per capita (current US$) | $1,084 | $6,267 | South Africa |
| Population, total | 232,679,478 | 64,007,187 | Nigeria |
| Population growth (annual %) | 2.1% | 1.2% | Nigeria |
| GDP growth (annual %) | 4.1% | 0.5% | Nigeria |
| Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) | 33.2% | 4.4% | South Africa |
| Unemployment, total (% of labour force, modelled ILO) | 3.1% | 32.4% | Nigeria |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | 54.6 | 66.3 | South Africa |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | 41.2% | 78.4% | South Africa |
| Urban population (% of total) | 63.0% | 63.7% | South Africa |
| CO2 emissions per capita (tonnes) | 0.57 | 6.88 | Nigeria |
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: South Africa
- Internet users: South Africa
- Lower inflation: South Africa
- Lower unemployment: Nigeria
Frequently asked questions
Is Nigeria or South Africa richer?
South Africa is richer on GDP per capita — Nigeria at $1,084 versus $6,267 for South Africa (World Bank). By total GDP, the larger economy is South Africa ($252.3B vs $401.1B).
Which has a bigger economy, Nigeria or South Africa?
South Africa has the larger economy: Nigeria's GDP is $252.3B and South Africa's is $401.1B in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).
Which is bigger by population, Nigeria or South Africa?
Nigeria is more populous: Nigeria has about 232.7 million people and South Africa about 64.0 million.
Where do people live longer, Nigeria or South Africa?
Life expectancy is higher in South Africa: 54.6 years in Nigeria versus 66.3 in South Africa (World Bank).
Full profiles & more comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-20