Population
South Africa is higher
South Africa records 64,007,187, about 25.4× the other value.
Country comparison
BotswanavsSouth Africa
See the biggest differences first, then scan the geographic, economic, and practical reference data.
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
South Africa is higher
South Africa records 1,219,090 km², about 2.10× the other value.
Nominal GDP
South Africa is higher
South Africa records $401.14 billion, about 20.7× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇧🇼 Botswana2,521,139
🇿🇦 South Africa64,007,187
South Africa’s population is about 25.4× that of Botswana, a difference of 61,486,048.
Surface area
🇧🇼 Botswana581,730 km²
🇿🇦 South Africa1,219,090 km²
South Africa’s surface area is 110% larger than that of Botswana, a difference of 637,360 km².
Population density
🇧🇼 Botswana4.3 /km²
🇿🇦 South Africa52.5 /km²
South Africa’s population density is about 12.1× that of Botswana, a difference of 48.2 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇧🇼 Botswana$19.40 billion · 2024
🇿🇦 South Africa$401.14 billion · 2024
South Africa’s nominal GDP is about 20.7× that of Botswana, a difference of $381.74 billion.
GDP per capita
🇧🇼 Botswana$7,696 · 2024
🇿🇦 South Africa$6,267 · 2024
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.
Full side-by-side comparison
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
| 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 |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout Botswana
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 →About South Africa
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 →Botswana & South Africa: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Botswana?
The capital of Botswana is Gaborone.
What is the population of Botswana?
Botswana has a recorded population of approximately 2,521,139 people.
How big is Botswana?
Botswana covers an area of about 581,730 km².
What is the population density of Botswana?
Botswana has a population density of roughly 4.3 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Botswana?
Botswana has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $19.40 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Botswana?
Botswana has a GDP per capita of approximately $7,696.
What currency is used in Botswana?
Botswana uses the Botswana pula (BWP), with the symbol P.
Where is Botswana located?
Botswana is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from Botswana called?
People from Botswana are referred to as Motswana, Botswanan.
What is the phone calling code for Botswana?
The international dialing code for Botswana is +267.
What is the internet domain for Botswana?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Botswana is .bw.
What time zone is Botswana in?
Botswana uses the Africa/Gaborone time zone.
What is Botswana known for?
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.
What is the capital of South Africa?
The capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
What is the population of South Africa?
South Africa has a recorded population of approximately 64,007,187 people.
How big is South Africa?
South Africa covers an area of about 1,219,090 km².
What is the population density of South Africa?
South Africa has a population density of roughly 52.5 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of South Africa?
South Africa has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $401.14 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of South Africa?
South Africa has a GDP per capita of approximately $6,267.
What currency is used in South Africa?
South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR), with the symbol R.
Where is South Africa located?
South Africa is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from South Africa called?
People from South Africa are referred to as South African.
What is the phone calling code for South Africa?
The international dialing code for South Africa is +27.
What is the internet domain for South Africa?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Africa is .za.
What time zone is South Africa in?
South Africa uses the Africa/Johannesburg time zone.
What is South Africa known for?
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.