Population
Loading WorldSumma…

This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
Population
Surface area
Nominal GDP
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
South Africa’s population is about 25.4× that of Botswana, a difference of 61,486,048.
South Africa’s surface area is 110% larger than that of Botswana, a difference of 637,360 km².
South Africa’s population density is about 12.1× that of Botswana, a difference of 48.2 /km².
South Africa’s nominal GDP is about 20.7× that of Botswana, a difference of $381.74 billion.
Botswana’s GDP per capita is 23% higher than that of South Africa, a difference of $1,429.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Gaborone
Pretoria
2,521,139
64,007,187
581,730 km²
1,219,090 km²
4.3 /km²
52.5 /km²
$19.40 billion · 2024
$401.14 billion · 2024
$7,696 · 2024
$6,267 · 2024
Africa
Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Botswana pula · BWP · P
South African rand · ZAR · R
Motswana, Botswanan
South African
+267
+27
.bw
.za
BW / BWA
ZA / ZAF
Africa/Gaborone
Africa/Johannesburg
Botswana
South Africa
| Measure | Botswana | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Gaborone | Pretoria |
| Population | 2,521,139 | 64,007,187 |
| Surface area | 581,730 km² | 1,219,090 km² |
| Population density | 4.3 /km² | 52.5 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $19.40 billion · 2024 | $401.14 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $7,696 · 2024 | $6,267 · 2024 |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
| Currency | Botswana pula · BWP · P | South African rand · ZAR · R |
| Nationality | Motswana, Botswanan | South African |
| Phone code | +267 | +27 |
| Internet domain | .bw | .za |
| ISO codes | BW / BWA | ZA / ZAF |
| Time zone | Africa/Gaborone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Native name | Botswana | South Africa |
Keep one country, change both, or start a completely new comparison.
Botswana is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa widely regarded as one of the continent's great conservation and stability success stories. Dominated by the Kalahari Desert yet home to the lush Okavango Delta, it offers some of the finest wildlife experiences on Earth. Stable, democratic and diamond-rich, it has transformed from one of the world's poorest countries at independence into a middle-income state.
Full Botswana profile →South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. It is known for its diverse geography, including savannas, forests, deserts, and the iconic Table Mountain.
Full South Africa profile →The capital of Botswana is Gaborone.
Botswana has a recorded population of approximately 2,521,139 people.
Botswana covers an area of about 581,730 km².
Botswana has a population density of roughly 4.3 /km² (people per square kilometre).
Botswana has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $19.40 billion as of 2024.
Botswana has a GDP per capita of approximately $7,696.
Botswana uses the Botswana pula (BWP), with the symbol P.
Botswana is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
People from Botswana are referred to as Motswana, Botswanan.
The international dialing code for Botswana is +267.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Botswana is .bw.
Botswana uses the Africa/Gaborone time zone.
Botswana is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa widely regarded as one of the continent's great conservation and stability success stories. Dominated by the Kalahari Desert yet home to the lush Okavango Delta, it offers some of the finest wildlife experiences on Earth. Stable, democratic and diamond-rich, it has transformed from one of the world's poorest countries at independence into a middle-income state.
The capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
South Africa has a recorded population of approximately 64,007,187 people.
South Africa covers an area of about 1,219,090 km².
South Africa has a population density of roughly 52.5 /km² (people per square kilometre).
South Africa has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $401.14 billion as of 2024.
South Africa has a GDP per capita of approximately $6,267.
South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR), with the symbol R.
South Africa is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
People from South Africa are referred to as South African.
The international dialing code for South Africa is +27.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Africa is .za.
South Africa uses the Africa/Johannesburg time zone.
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. It is known for its diverse geography, including savannas, forests, deserts, and the iconic Table Mountain.