Bangladesh vs South Africa
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 2.7 times as many people as South Africa (178 million vs 65.5 million in 2026). South Africa is 9.3 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in South Africa ($6,598 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in Bangladesh (74.9 vs 66.3 years).
| Bangladesh | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 65,453,084 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +1.09% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 79.2 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 1,213,090 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 54/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $427 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $6,598 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 66.3 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 2.21 |
| Urban population | 33% | 64% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Pretoria |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | rand (ZAR) |
| Calling code | +880 | +27 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, South Africa 0.79%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or South Africa?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 65.5 million in South Africa (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than South Africa?
By land area, South Africa is larger: 1,213,090 km² versus 130,170 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or South Africa?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $427 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).