“South Africa's economy struggles with low growth and high unemployment, while its humanitarian situation is concerning due to poverty and undernourishment. The country's stability is maintained by moderate governance and peace levels. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for economic growth and connectivity.”
29/100
Need
Humanitarian pressure
37/100
Opportunity
Growth potential
63/100
Stability
Governance score
Renewable EnergyFintechMining TechHealthcare
AI Brief
ZAFUpdated today
South Africa faces economic and humanitarian challenges
South Africa's economy struggles with low growth and high unemployment, while its humanitarian situation is concerning due to poverty and undernourishment. The country's stability is maintained by moderate governance and peace levels. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for economic growth and connectivity.
•South Africa has a high level of adult literacy rate at 91.15%
•The country has a significant gap in gender parity index — education at 1.01 GPI
•South Africa has a relatively high level of bank account ownership at 81.13%
💡
Did you know?
South Africa is home to the world's largest diamond mine, the Jwaneng mine in Botswana's neighbor, but the largest diamond mine in South Africa is the Venetia mine in Limpopo province.
High unemployment rate of 32.39% poses a significant risk to the economy
Key Indicators
Bank Account Ownership
81.13%
% of adults with a bank or mobile money account. Africa average: ~55%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Agricultural Land
79.42% land
% of land used for crops or livestock. Africa average: ~43%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Conflict Pressure
Low-Mod
ACLED (2026)Updated today
Internet Access
72%
GSMA (2025)Updated today
Government Education Expenditure
6.02% GDP
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Energy Use per Capita
1 938.51kg oil eq
World Bank (2023)Updated today
FDI Inflows
0.58% GDP
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Female Labour Force Participation
46.57%
Share of women ages 15+ who are employed or seeking work. Global average: ~47%.
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Forest Area
13.97% land
% of land covered by forest. Africa average: ~22%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
GDP Growth
0.53%
Annual % change in national economic output. Global average: ~3%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
GDP per Capita
6 267.19USD
GDP per person in current USD. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~$1,700.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Gender Parity Index — Education
1.01GPI
World Bank (2020)Updated today
Gini Index
54.1
Income inequality index 0–100. Higher = more unequal. Africa average: ~43.
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Under-5 Mortality
30per 1k
WHO GHO (2024)Data aging
Current Health Expenditure
8.91% GDP
Government + private health spending as % of GDP. Global average: ~10%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Internally Displaced Persons
29people
People displaced within their own country. Africa hosts the most IDPs globally. Source: UNHCR.
UNHCR (2024)Updated today
Inflation (CPI)
4.36%
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Internet Access
78.36%
Share of population using the internet. Africa average: ~43%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Life Expectancy
64.02years
Average years a newborn is expected to live. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~62 years.
WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Adult Literacy Rate
91.15%
Share of adults (15+) who can read and write. Africa average: ~70%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Marine Protected Areas
15.4% waters
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Maternal Mortality
117.57per 100k
Deaths per 100,000 live births. Global average: 223; sub-Saharan Africa: ~450.
WHO GHO (2023)Updated today
4G Mobile Network Coverage
99.79%
UN SDG (2010)Updated today
Mobile Subscriptions
179.34per 100
SIM cards per 100 people (can exceed 100 due to multiple SIMs). Africa average: ~85.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Under-5 Mortality
35.1per 1k
Deaths per 1,000 live births before age 5. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~65.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
NCD Premature Mortality (30–70)
22.7%
WHO GHO (2021)Updated today
Obesity Prevalence
30.82%
WHO GHO (2022)Updated today
Medical Doctors
7.66per 10k
Medical doctors per 10,000 people. Sub-Saharan Africa average: ~2.2.
WHO GHO (2024)Updated today
Political Stability Index
-0.67/100
World Governance Indicators score 0–100. Higher = more stable. Normalized from -2.5/+2.5 scale.
World Bank WGI (2023)Updated today
Population
64 007 187
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Poverty Headcount ($2.15/day)
17.4%
Share of population living on less than $2.15/day. Global extreme poverty threshold.
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Primary Completion Rate
95.33%
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Protected Areas
12.9% total
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Renewable Electricity Output
6.45%
% of electricity from renewable sources (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal).
World Bank (2021)Updated today
Safe Sanitation Access
73.78%
Share using safely managed sanitation. Global average: ~57%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Net Primary School Enrollment
87.01%
Net % of primary school-age children attending school.
World Bank (2017)Updated today
Net Secondary School Enrollment
71.93%
World Bank (2017)Updated today
Population in Slums
24.2% urban
World Bank (2022)Updated today
Undernourishment Prevalence
10%
Share of population with insufficient food intake. Africa average: ~20%.
World Bank (2023)Updated today
Unemployment Rate
32.39%
World Bank (2025)Updated today
Urban Population Share
63.69%
Share of population living in urban areas. Africa average: ~44%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Safe Drinking Water Access
68.01%
Share using safely managed drinking water. Global average: ~74%.
World Bank (2024)Updated today
Women in Parliament
44.86%
Share of parliamentary seats held by women. Global average: ~27%.