Australia and South Africa Economies: A Side-by-Side Table Comparison

In comparing Australia and South Africa, we see notable differences: South Africa’s population is about 2.3 times larger, while Australia boasts a land area 6.35 times greater. Australia’s GDP is over four times larger, and its military spending is roughly 11.6 times more. Despite this, South Africa has higher income inequality.

Basic Indicators

Indicator	Australia	South Africa	Comparison
Population source (2022 data), updated 2024	26.01 million (54th)	59.89 million (23rd)	South Africa’s population is approximately 2.3 times larger than Australia’s.
Surface area (sq. km) source (2022 data), updated 2024	7.74 million sq. km (6th)	1.22 million sq. km (24th)	Australia is 6.35 times larger than South Africa.
GDP source (2022 data), updated 2024	1,692.96B USD (12th)	405.27B USD (37th)	Australia’s total GDP is approximately 4.18 times larger than South Africa’s.
GDP per capita source (2022 data), updated 2024	$65,100 (13th)	6,766 USD (94th)	Australia’s GDP per capita is roughly 86% higher than South Africa’s, with Australians producing about $58,333 more per person annually.

Economic Indexes

Index	Australia	South Africa	Comparison
HDI (Human Development Index) source (2022 data), updated 2024	0.946 (10th)	0.717 (103rd)	Australia’s HDI is 0.946 (very high), while South Africa’s is 0.717 (medium). Australia’s score is 0.229 higher, indicating significantly better human development overall.
Index of Economic Freedom source (2024 data)	76.2 (12th)	55.3 (101st)	Australia’s Index of Economic Freedom is 38% higher than South Africa’s, 20.9 points more.
GINI source (2022 data), updated 2024	34.3 (2018 est.)	63 (2014 est.)	With a 83% higher Gini coefficient, South Africa has a higher degree of income inequality than Australia.

International trade _{source(2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	South Africa
Total imports	363.57B USD	123.54B
Imports % of GDP	19.71%	31.52%
Main import partners	China 28%, US 10%, South Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Singapore 5%	China 21%, Germany 9%, India 7%, US 5%, Saudi Arabia 4%
Main import items	refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, plastic products	refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, broadcasting equipment
Total exports	447.51B USD	124.73B
Exports % of GDP	25.43%	33.54%
Main export Partners	China 29%, Japan 19%, South Korea 10%, India 7%, Taiwan 6%	China 16%, US 7%, Germany 7%, India 6%, Japan 6%
Main export items	coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, wheat	gold, platinum, coal, cars, diamonds

Australia’s imports are nearly three times South Africa’s, but South Africa’s imports make up 31.5% of its GDP, 11.8% more than Australia. Australia’s exports are over three times South Africa’s, focusing on raw materials, while South Africa’s exports are more diverse.

Military Power _{source (2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	South Africa
Military expenditure	32.3B USD	2.8B USD
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	1.90%	0.74%
Active military	59k	65k
Active military per 1,000 capita	3.8	1.5

Australia’s military expenditure is approximately 11.6 times larger than South Africa’s at $32.34 billion compared to $2.78 billion, and Australia allocates a significantly higher percentage of its GDP to defense at 1.90% versus South Africa’s 0.74%.