Least developed countries vs South Africa: Surface area
Least developed countries
20.77 million sq. km
in 2023
South Africa
1.22 million sq. km
in 2023
Least developed countries rank
21st
South Africa rank
24th
Surface area over time
- Least developed countries
- South Africa
How they compare
Least developed countries currently reports 20.77 million sq. km against 1.22 million sq. km in South Africa, a difference of 19.56 million sq. km.
That makes Least developed countries's figure about 17.0 times South Africa's.
Across all 63 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.
Least developed countries ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 24th of 45 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 | 20.72 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.50 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 1970s | 20.72 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.50 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 1980s | 20.72 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.50 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 1990s | 20.72 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.50 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 2000s | 20.74 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.52 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 2010s | 20.77 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.55 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
| 2020s | 20.77 million sq. km | 1.22 million sq. km | 19.56 million sq. km | Least developed countries |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher surface area, Least developed countries or South Africa?
- Least developed countries, at 20.77 million sq. km against 1.22 million sq. km in South Africa as of 2023.
- What is the difference in surface area between Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 19.56 million sq. km, with Least developed countries ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
- 63 years are reported by both, from 1961 to 2023.
- How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for surface area?
- Least developed countries ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 24th of 45 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as Surface area (sq. km). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Surface area is a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways.