South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Population

South Africa
51,011
in 2030
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
60,060
in 2030
South Africa rank
24th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
21st

Population over time

  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
020.0k40.0k60.0k199020102030

How they compare

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 60,060 against 51,011 in South Africa, a difference of 9,049.

That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 1.2 times South Africa's.

Across all 41 years both countries report, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been ahead every year.

South Africa ranks 24th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 21st of 188 countries.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Difference Ahead
1990s 27,677 46,841 19,164 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2000s 33,675 49,507 15,831 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2010s 40,007 53,475 13,468 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2020s 47,595 57,455 9,860 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2030s 51,011 60,060 9,050 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher population, South Africa or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 60,060 against 51,011 in South Africa as of 2030.
What is the difference in population between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
9,049, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
41 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2030.
How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for population?
South Africa ranks 24th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 21st of 188 countries.
Where does this data come from?
International Labour Organization, published as Population (UN estimates and projections). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Population. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/compare/population-un-estimates-and-projections/south-africa/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Population (UN estimates and projections)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
280 places, 11,480 data points, 1990–2030
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. The total population comprises persons of all ages who were living in the country during the reference period, regardless of residency status or citizenship. The source for the population figures used is the United Nations' World Population Prospects. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.