South Africa vs Nigeria Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (South Africa vs Nigeria)
ⓘ 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 Nigeria in 7 of 10 comparable indicators, while Nigeria leads in 3. South Africa's strongest global position is 92nd (2023) in Rule of Law: Estimate. Nigeria's strongest global position is 44th (2025) in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
- Nigeria wins against South Africa in GDP growth (annual %): 4.06 (2024, ranked 68th) vs 0.53 (2024, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 13,597.65 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 7,994.22 (2024, ranked 141st).
- Nigeria wins against South Africa in Gini index: 33.90 (2022, ranked 80th) vs 54.10 (2022, ranked 167th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 78.36 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 41.21 (2024, ranked 176th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 66.31 (2024, ranked 183rd) vs 54.64 (2024, ranked 217th).
- Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) data for South Africa and Nigeria is too far apart to compare directly. The latest available data shows 88.31 (2023, ranked 107th) vs 44.23 (2010, ranked 153rd).
- Nigeria wins against South Africa in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 3.06 (2025, ranked 44th) vs 32.39 (2025, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Regulatory Quality: Estimate: -0.22 (2023, ranked 111th) vs -0.94 (2023, ranked 169th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Control of Corruption: Estimate: -0.28 (2023, ranked 108th) vs -1.04 (2023, ranked 169th).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Rule of Law: Estimate: 0.09 (2023, ranked 92nd) vs -0.89 (2023, ranked 162nd).
- South Africa wins against Nigeria in Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate: -0.67 (2023, ranked 161st) vs -1.77 (2023, ranked 189th).
| Metric | South Africa(7) | Nigeria(3) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2024) 0.53 (186/214) | (2024) 4.06 (68/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2024) 13,597.65 (118/199) | (2024) 7,994.22 (141/199) |
| Gini index | (2022) 54.10 (167/171) | (2022) 33.90 (80/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 78.36 (118/213) | (2024) 41.21 (176/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 66.31 (183/217) | (2024) 54.64 (217/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2023) 88.31 (107/197) | (2010) 44.23 (153/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 32.39 (186/187) | (2025) 3.06 (44/187) |
| Regulatory Quality: Estimate | (2023) -0.22 (111/205) | (2023) -0.94 (169/205) |
| Control of Corruption: Estimate | (2023) -0.28 (108/205) | (2023) -1.04 (169/205) |
| Rule of Law: Estimate | (2023) 0.09 (92/205) | (2023) -0.89 (162/205) |
| Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate | (2023) -0.67 (161/205) | (2023) -1.77 (189/205) |