South Africa
South Africa · ZAF · population about 65.5 million
Of every 1,000 babies born in the world right now, 9 are born here — about one in 113. That is 1.2 million a year, or 2.2 a minute.
This is a draw with the birthplace fixed, not weighted. Sex, family and everything after are still random.
The numbers here
16 indicators and where they rank among 237 countries and territories. Rank 1 is the better end (longer lives first, lower mortality first).
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Female life expectancyhigher is better | 69.6yrs | #197 / 237 |
| Male life expectancyhigher is better | 62.6yrs | #208 / 237 |
| Dies before fivelower is better | 29.9‰ | #181 / 237 |
| Infant mortalitylower is better | 21.9‰ | #181 / 237 |
| GDP per person (PPP)higher is better | 15,906int$ | #155 / 237 |
| Gini coefficientlower is more equal | 54.1 | #233 / 237 |
| Maternal mortalitylower is better | 118/100k births | #176 / 237 |
| Secondary enrolmenthigher is better | 104% | #47 / 237 |
| Tertiary enrolmenthigher is better | 23% | #168 / 237 |
| Urban populationhigher is better | 64% | #132 / 237 |
| Agricultural employmentlower is better | 5% | #67 / 237 |
| Road deathslower is better | 22.2/100k people | #179 / 237 |
| Male smokinglower is better | 24% | #173 / 237 |
| Out-of-pocket healthlower is better | 8% | #1 / 237 |
| Internet usehigher is better | 78% | #140 / 237 |
| Fertility ratehigher is better | 2.17 | #97 / 237 |
Sources:UN World Population Prospects 2024 (births, population, life expectancy, infant and under-five mortality, fertility), World Bank WDI (income, Gini, enrolment, urbanisation, agricultural employment, internet use, out-of-pocket health spending), WHO (maternal mortality, smoking, road deaths), UNODC (homicide). Estimated values are marked. Methods and limits are inhow it is calculated.
Three questions about South Africa
What are the odds of being born in South Africa?
About 1.2 million babies are born in South Africa in 2026, 0.88% of the world’s 132.5 million newborns — roughly one in 113. At 4.2 births a second worldwide, that is about 2.2 a minute here.
What is life expectancy in South Africa?
On the UN life table, women in South Africa live 69.6 years and men 62.6; female life expectancy ranks 197 of 237. Infant mortality is 21.9‰ and under-five mortality 29.9‰.
What is income per person in South Africa?
GDP per person (PPP) is about 15,906 international dollars, ranking 155 of 237. The Gini coefficient is 54.1 (lower is more equal), and 64% of people live in cities.