The map above shows South Africa and United Kingdom side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
South Africa vs United Kingdom Geography
Land area: South Africa has a land area of 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²), while United Kingdom has 93,410 square miles (241,930 km²). South Africa's land area is 5.0 times (402%) larger than United Kingdom's.
Total area: South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²) vs United Kingdom: 94,058 square miles (243,610 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Africa's total area is 5.0 times (401%) larger than United Kingdom's.
Length: South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km) long from north to south; United Kingdom is 747 miles (1,202 km). South Africa's north-south length is 1.4 times (41%) longer than United Kingdom's.
Width: South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km) east to west; United Kingdom spans 429 miles (690 km). South Africa's east-west width is 2.4 times (136%) wider than United Kingdom's.
Highest point: South Africa's highest point is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m); United Kingdom's is Ben Nevis at 4,413 feet (1,345 m). Mafadi is 6,906 feet higher than Ben Nevis.
Lowest point: South Africa's lowest point is Indian Ocean at 0 feet; United Kingdom's is The Fens (Holme Fen) at -10 feet. United Kingdom's lowest point is 10 feet lower.
South Africa vs United Kingdom Population and History
Population: South Africa has a population of 63,522,380 (2026), while United Kingdom has 69,487,000 (2025). United Kingdom's population is 1.1 times (9%) larger than South Africa's.
Population density: South Africa: 135.5 people per square mile vs United Kingdom: 743.9. United Kingdom's population density is 5.5 times (449%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city: South Africa's biggest city is Johannesburg with 4,803,262 people; United Kingdom's is London with 8,825,001. London's population is 1.8 times (84%) larger than Johannesburg's.
Largest metro area: South Africa's largest metropolitan area is Johannesburg (7,077,175 people) vs United Kingdom's London (10,416,420). London's population is 1.5 times (47%) larger than Johannesburg's.
History: South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961. United Kingdom: Formed as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on January 1, 1801; took its current form in 1922. In its current form, United Kingdom is the older of the two by 109 years.
South Africa vs United Kingdom Economy
GDP: South Africa's GDP is $427.2 billion (2025) vs United Kingdom's $4,002.6 billion. United Kingdom's economic output is 9.4 times (837%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita: South Africa: $6,598 per person vs United Kingdom: $57,602. United Kingdom's GDP per capita is 8.7 times (773%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income: South Africa: $6,270 vs United Kingdom: $54,550 average income per person (per capita personal income). United Kingdom's average income is 8.7 times (770%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
South Africa official website · United Kingdom official website
More Size Comparisons
All South Africa size comparisons · All United Kingdom size comparisons
Area, elevation and boundary figures come from official national statistics and US Census Bureau and Natural Earth boundary data; US state population, economic, county and tax figures come from the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Tax Foundation. Figures are rounded and for general reference.