Sub-Saharan Africa
Living in South Africa
Among the 116 countries we cover, South Africa stands out most for affordability and civil freedoms. Its weakest dimension is economy.
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Population
- 64.7M (2025)
- World Bank income group
- Upper-middle income
Key figures
- Price level (US = 100)
- 42Lower means cheaper than the US · 2025
- Life expectancy (years)
- 66.3At birth · 2024
- Homicides per 100,000 people
- 43.7Per 100,000 people per year · 2022
- People using the internet
- 78.4%Share of the population · 2024
Scores by dimension
0–100, relative to the 116 countries we cover (100 = best in our set).
- Affordability
- 52 / 100
- Safety
- 15 / 100
- Healthcare
- 28 / 100
- Governance
- 34 / 100
- Civil freedoms
- 68 / 100
- Digital access
- 69 / 100
- Economy
- 45 / 100
- Affordability#40 of 116
- Safety#114 of 116
- Healthcare#100 of 116
- Governance#75 of 116
- Civil freedoms#43 of 116
- Digital access#91 of 116
- Economy#115 of 116
The underlying data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (US = 100)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CD / NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD | 42 | 2025 |
| GDP per personWDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CD | US$6,598 | 2025 |
| GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD | Int$15,906 | 2025 |
| Unemployment rateWDI · SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS | 32.4% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices)WDI · FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG | 3.2% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy (years)WDI · SP.DYN.LE00.IN | 66.3 | 2024 |
| Doctors per 1,000 peopleWDI · SH.MED.PHYS.ZS | 0.8 | 2022 |
| Health spending per personWDI · SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CD | US$537 | 2023 |
| Homicides per 100,000 peopleWDI · VC.IHR.PSRC.P5 | 43.7 | 2022 |
| People using the internetWDI · IT.NET.USER.ZS | 78.4% | 2024 |
| Political stability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_PV.SC | 59 | 2025 |
| Rule of law (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_RL.SC | 59 | 2025 |
| Government effectiveness (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_GE.SC | 52 | 2025 |
| Control of corruption (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_CC.SC | 45 | 2025 |
| Voice and accountability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_VA.SC | 70 | 2025 |
| PopulationWDI · SP.POP.TOTL | 64.7M | 2025 |
Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators (updated July 13, 2026) and Worldwide Governance Indicators (updated September 25, 2026), CC BY 4.0. We show the most recent year available for each figure. How we score
South Africa: common questions
Is South Africa expensive to live in?
The World Bank price level for South Africa is 42 (US = 100) in 2025, which places it #40 of 116 countries for affordability in our data. This is a national average. Big cities, housing and imported goods can cost much more.
How safe is South Africa?
South Africa recorded 43.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people (2022). Its World Bank political stability score is 59 out of 100 (2025). National figures hide local differences, so check your government's current travel advice for specific areas.
What is healthcare like in South Africa?
Life expectancy at birth in South Africa is 66.3 years (2024). There are 0.8 doctors per 1,000 people (2022). Access for foreign residents depends on your visa, residency status and insurance, so confirm what coverage you'd be entitled to.
Do I need a visa to move to South Africa?
It depends on your citizenship, purpose and length of stay, and the rules change often. We don't give visa advice. Check the official immigration authority or embassy of South Africa for the current requirements.