Least developed countries vs South Africa: Population, total
Least developed countries
1.21 billion
in 2025
South Africa
64.75 million
in 2025
Least developed countries rank
22nd
South Africa rank
24th
Population, total over time
- Least developed countries
- South Africa
How they compare
Least developed countries currently reports 1.21 billion against 64.75 million in South Africa, a difference of 1.15 billion.
That makes Least developed countries's figure about 18.8 times South Africa's.
Across all 66 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.
Least developed countries ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 24th of 47 groups.
Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Least developed countries | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 274.62 million | 18.89 million | 255.73 million | Least developed countries |
| 1970s | 352.79 million | 25.38 million | 327.41 million | Least developed countries |
| 1980s | 452.67 million | 34.50 million | 418.18 million | Least developed countries |
| 1990s | 586.40 million | 44.05 million | 542.35 million | Least developed countries |
| 2000s | 752.40 million | 49.31 million | 703.09 million | Least developed countries |
| 2010s | 952.84 million | 55.92 million | 896.92 million | Least developed countries |
| 2020s | 1.15 billion | 62.74 million | 1.08 billion | Least developed countries |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population, total, Least developed countries or South Africa?
- Least developed countries, at 1.21 billion against 64.75 million in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population, total between Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 1.15 billion, with Least developed countries ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
- How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for population, total?
- Least developed countries ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 24th of 47 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), published as Population, total. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.