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Sub-Saharan Africa · Country statistics

South Africa

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At a glance

Latest published figures · reporting years differ
Population64.75M2025 · peopleGross domestic product$427.18B2025 · current US$GDP per capita$6.6K2025 · current US$ / personLife expectancy at birth66.32024 · yearsInternet use78.4%2024 · % of populationForest area14%2023 · % of land area
Forest area
14%

% of land area·2023

Published observation

Over time

Full published history
South Africa2023 · 14%
03.747.4811.2214.961960199320251990: 15%1991: 14.9%1992: 14.9%1993: 14.9%1994: 14.8%1995: 14.8%1996: 14.8%1997: 14.7%1998: 14.7%1999: 14.7%2000: 14.7%2001: 14.6%2002: 14.6%2003: 14.6%2004: 14.5%2005: 14.5%2006: 14.5%2007: 14.4%2008: 14.4%2009: 14.4%2010: 14.4%2011: 14.3%2012: 14.3%2013: 14.3%2014: 14.2%2015: 14.2%2016: 14.2%2017: 14.1%2018: 14.1%2019: 14.1%2020: 14.1%2021: 14%2022: 14%2023: 14%

Forest area (% of land area) is the share of total land area that is under natural or planted stands of trees of at least 5 meters in situ, whether productive or not, and excludes tree stands in agricultural production systems (for example, in fruit plantations and agroforestry systems) and trees in urban parks and gardens.

Country context

South Africa in perspective

Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Capital
Pretoria
Country code
ZAF

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