South Africa vs Zimbabwe Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (South Africa vs Zimbabwe)
ⓘ 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 Zimbabwe in 8 of 11 comparable indicators, while Zimbabwe leads in 3. South Africa's strongest global position is 97th (2024) in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100). Zimbabwe's strongest global position is 10th (2025) in GDP growth (annual %).
- Zimbabwe wins against South Africa in GDP growth (annual %): 8.11 (2025, ranked 10th) vs 1.11 (2025, ranked 172nd).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 13,592.05 (2025, ranked 120th) vs 5,529.23 (2025, ranked 157th).
- Zimbabwe wins against South Africa in Gini index: 50.30 (2019, ranked 164th) vs 54.10 (2022, ranked 167th).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 78.36 (2024, ranked 118th) vs 41.64 (2024, ranked 174th).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 66.31 (2024, ranked 183rd) vs 63.06 (2024, ranked 200th).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 88.31 (2023, ranked 105th) vs 65.60 (2024, ranked 146th).
- Zimbabwe wins against South Africa in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 9.29 (2025, ranked 147th) vs 32.39 (2025, ranked 186th).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100): 55.35 (2024, ranked 155th) vs 48.52 (2024, ranked 175th).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100): 53.91 (2024, ranked 97th) vs 36.28 (2024, ranked 182nd).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100): 57.27 (2024, ranked 97th) vs 36.12 (2024, ranked 181st).
- South Africa wins against Zimbabwe in Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100): 43.97 (2024, ranked 99th) vs 22.52 (2024, ranked 184th).
| Metric | South Africa(8) | Zimbabwe(3) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2025) 1.11 (172/214) | (2025) 8.11 (10/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2025) 13,592.05 (120/199) | (2025) 5,529.23 (157/199) |
| Gini index | (2022) 54.10 (167/171) | (2019) 50.30 (164/171) |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 78.36 (118/213) | (2024) 41.64 (174/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 66.31 (183/217) | (2024) 63.06 (200/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2023) 88.31 (105/197) | (2024) 65.60 (146/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 32.39 (186/187) | (2025) 9.29 (147/187) |
| Political Stability - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 55.35 (155/206) | (2024) 48.52 (175/206) |
| Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 53.91 (97/204) | (2024) 36.28 (182/204) |
| Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 57.27 (97/206) | (2024) 36.12 (181/206) |
| Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 43.97 (99/206) | (2024) 22.52 (184/206) |