Country Profile: South Africa

South Africa, located at the southern tip of the African continent, is characterized by its diverse geography, rich history, and significant economic potential. Home to over 60 million people, the nation enjoys a parliamentary republic form of governance and faces challenges such as income inequality and high unemployment. Its economy, recognized as the largest in southern Africa, is driven by key industries, including mining, manufacturing, and services, while ongoing reforms aim to improve infrastructure and energy production.

Geography

South Africa boasts a diverse landscape, comprising vast plateaus, coastal plains, and rugged hills. The country occupies an area of approximately 1,219,090 sq km, making it slightly less than twice the size of Texas. The climate varies from semiarid to subtropical, and it is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with a coastline stretching 2,798 km.

Highest Point: Ntheledi (Mafadi) at 3,450 m
Land Borders: Shares borders with 6 countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe)
Natural Resources: Known for rich deposits of gold, platinum, and chromium

People and Society

South Africa has a diverse population of approximately 60.4 million people, predominantly of Black African descent (80.9%). There are eleven official languages, with isiZulu and isiXhosa being the most spoken. The country has a median age of 30.4 years and an urbanization rate of 68.8%.

Urban Population: 68.8% (2023)
Life Expectancy: 71.9 years (2024)
Literacy Rate: 90% (2021)

Economy

As an upper-middle-income country, South Africa is the largest economy in southern Africa, with a GDP that was estimated at $870.42 billion in 2024. The economy is marked by slow growth and high unemployment rates, which stood at 33.2% in 2024. The country is a leading producer of critical minerals and is working to address structural economic challenges.

GDP Per Capita: $13,600 (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 33.2% (2024)
Exports: Valued at $127.629 billion (2024)

Government

South Africa operates under a parliamentary republic with an extensive legal framework and multiple political parties. The president is elected by the National Assembly and currently held by Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been in office since June 19, 2024. The nation celebrates its Freedom Day on April 27, marking the end of apartheid.

Administrative Capital: Pretoria; Legislative Capital: Cape Town
Constitution: Effective since February 4, 1997
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years

Military and Security

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) is responsible for the country's military and security operations, with approximately 65,000 to 70,000 active-duty personnel. Military expenditures were estimated at 0.7% of GDP in 2024. The SANDF participates in various peacekeeping missions and provides internal security support.

Military Personnel: 65,000-70,000 active-duty members (2025 est.)
Peacekeeping Missions: Approximately 1,100 troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2025)

Energy

South Africa's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, accounting for 87.3% of total installed capacity. The country aims to improve its electricity access, currently at 86.5% of the population. Significant coal reserves support energy generation, while the nation explores renewable energy sources.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 65.989 million kW (2023)
Coal Production: 239.712 million metric tons (2023)

Environment

South Africa faces various environmental challenges, including water scarcity, pollution, and deforestation. The country participates in multiple international environmental agreements and is committed to addressing climate change impacts, notably through its focus on preserving biodiversity and natural resources.

Freshwater Resources: Limited due to scarce major rivers
Urban Population: 68.8% (2023)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes a network of 30,400 km of railways, many airports, and significant ports crucial for trade. The country has a strong maritime industry, with a merchant marine fleet of 110 vessels.

Airports: 573 (2025)
Ports: 8 major ports (2024)

Communications

South Africa has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, with a notable number of mobile subscriptions exceeding 108 million, reflecting a high mobile penetration rate. The population's internet usage was approximately 76% in 2023.

Internet Users: 76% of the population (2023)
Fixed-Line Telephones: 1.353 million subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	60,442,647 (2024 est.)
Area	1,219,090 sq km
GDP	$870.42 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	33.2% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	71.9 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	90% (2021 est.)
Electricity Access	86.5% (2022 est.)
Urbanization Rate	68.8% (2023)
Military Expenditure	0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Coal Production	239.712 million metric tons (2023 est.)