Papua New Guinea vs South Africa Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (Papua New Guinea vs South Africa)
ⓘ When data for the selected year is missing, the closest prior year with data is used instead. Whenever the two countries' data points are 5+ years apart those indicators are excluded from the total score.
South Africa leads against Papua New Guinea in 8 of 10 comparable indicators, while Papua New Guinea leads in 2. Papua New Guinea's strongest global position is 25th (2025) in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). South Africa's strongest global position is 97th (2024) in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100).
- Papua New Guinea wins against South Africa in GDP growth (annual %): 5.64 (2025, ranked 42nd) vs 1.11 (2025, ranked 172nd).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 13,592.05 (2025, ranked 120th) vs 4,456.23 (2025, ranked 164th).
- Gini index data for Papua New Guinea and South Africa is too far apart to compare directly. The latest available data shows 41.90 (2009, ranked 123rd) vs 54.10 (2022, ranked 167th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 78.36 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 18.81 (2024, ranked 201st).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 66.31 (2024, ranked 183rd) vs 66.26 (2024, ranked 185th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 88.31 (2023, ranked 105th) vs 41.88 (2023, ranked 175th).
- Papua New Guinea wins against South Africa in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 2.57 (2025, ranked 25th) vs 32.39 (2025, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100): 55.35 (2024, ranked 155th) vs 54.73 (2024, ranked 157th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100): 53.91 (2024, ranked 97th) vs 45.39 (2024, ranked 144th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100): 57.27 (2024, ranked 97th) vs 47.13 (2024, ranked 136th).
- South Africa wins against Papua New Guinea in Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100): 43.97 (2024, ranked 99th) vs 31.72 (2024, ranked 155th).
| Metric | Papua New Guinea(2) | South Africa(8) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2025) 5.64 (42/214) | (2025) 1.11 (172/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2025) 4,456.23 (164/199) | (2025) 13,592.05 (120/199) |
| Gini index | (2009) 41.90 (123/171) | (2022) 54.10 (167/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 18.81 (201/213) | (2024) 78.36 (118/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 66.26 (185/217) | (2024) 66.31 (183/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2023) 41.88 (175/197) | (2023) 88.31 (105/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 2.57 (25/187) | (2025) 32.39 (186/187) |
| Political Stability - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 54.73 (157/206) | (2024) 55.35 (155/206) |
| Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 45.39 (144/204) | (2024) 53.91 (97/204) |
| Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 47.13 (136/206) | (2024) 57.27 (97/206) |
| Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 31.72 (155/206) | (2024) 43.97 (99/206) |