Population
South Africa is higher
South Africa records 64,007,187, about 3.00× the other value.
Country comparison
South AfricavsZambia
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 1.62× the other value.
Nominal GDP
South Africa is higher
South Africa records $401.14 billion, about 15.9× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇿🇦 South Africa64,007,187
🇿🇲 Zambia21,314,956
South Africa’s population is 200% larger than that of Zambia, a difference of 42,692,231.
Surface area
🇿🇦 South Africa1,219,090 km²
🇿🇲 Zambia752,610 km²
South Africa’s surface area is 62% larger than that of Zambia, a difference of 466,480 km².
Population density
🇿🇦 South Africa52.5 /km²
🇿🇲 Zambia28.3 /km²
South Africa’s population density is 85% higher than that of Zambia, a difference of 24.2 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇿🇦 South Africa$401.14 billion · 2024
🇿🇲 Zambia$25.30 billion · 2024
South Africa’s nominal GDP is about 15.9× that of Zambia, a difference of $375.84 billion.
GDP per capita
🇿🇦 South Africa$6,267 · 2024
🇿🇲 Zambia$1,187 · 2024
South Africa’s GDP per capita is 428% higher than that of Zambia, a difference of $5,080.
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
Pretoria
Lusaka
Population
64,007,187
21,314,956
Surface area
1,219,090 km²
752,610 km²
Population density
52.5 /km²
28.3 /km²
Nominal GDP
$401.14 billion · 2024
$25.30 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$6,267 · 2024
$1,187 · 2024
Region
Africa
Africa
Subregion
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Currency
South African rand · ZAR · R
Zambian kwacha · ZMW · ZK
Nationality
South African
Zambian
Phone code
+27
+260
Internet domain
.za
.zm
ISO codes
ZA / ZAF
ZM / ZMB
Time zone
Africa/Johannesburg
Africa/Lusaka
Native name
South Africa
Zambia
| Measure | South Africa | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Pretoria | Lusaka |
| Population | 64,007,187 | 21,314,956 |
| Surface area | 1,219,090 km² | 752,610 km² |
| Population density | 52.5 /km² | 28.3 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $401.14 billion · 2024 | $25.30 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $6,267 · 2024 | $1,187 · 2024 |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
| Currency | South African rand · ZAR · R | Zambian kwacha · ZMW · ZK |
| Nationality | South African | Zambian |
| Phone code | +27 | +260 |
| Internet domain | .za | .zm |
| ISO codes | ZA / ZAF | ZM / ZMB |
| Time zone | Africa/Johannesburg | Africa/Lusaka |
| Native name | South Africa | Zambia |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout 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 →About Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by eight countries. The capital city, Lusaka, is a bustling hub for commerce and politics. With an estimated population of about 18 million people, Zambia is a diverse nation with a growing economy centered around mining, agriculture, and tourism.
Full Zambia profile →South Africa & Zambia: Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What is the capital of Zambia?
The capital of Zambia is Lusaka.
What is the population of Zambia?
Zambia has a recorded population of approximately 21,314,956 people.
How big is Zambia?
Zambia covers an area of about 752,610 km².
What is the population density of Zambia?
Zambia has a population density of roughly 28.3 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Zambia?
Zambia has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $25.30 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Zambia?
Zambia has a GDP per capita of approximately $1,187.
What currency is used in Zambia?
Zambia uses the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), with the symbol ZK.
Where is Zambia located?
Zambia is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from Zambia called?
People from Zambia are referred to as Zambian.
What is the phone calling code for Zambia?
The international dialing code for Zambia is +260.
What is the internet domain for Zambia?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Zambia is .zm.
What time zone is Zambia in?
Zambia uses the Africa/Lusaka time zone.
What is Zambia known for?
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by eight countries. The capital city, Lusaka, is a bustling hub for commerce and politics. With an estimated population of about 18 million people, Zambia is a diverse nation with a growing economy centered around mining, agriculture, and tourism.