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South Africa
Big Five, Bigger Spirit
Overview
The "Rainbow Nation" at Africa's southern tip, combining world-class wine regions, safari experiences, lively cities, and a complex post-apartheid democracy.
Geographic Context
Region
Africa
Subregion
Southern Africa
Land Area
1,221,037 km²
Capital
Pretoria
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Currencies
South African rand (R)
At a Glance
67
Oyster Score
Composite index
Health
49
Freedom
88
Security
63
Life Expectancy
61.5 yrs
Median Age
28.2 yrs
Urbanization
69%
Cost Index
40
Housing Index
26
Healthcare Access
58/100
Climate
Average Temperature
18.2°C
Average AQI
25
Most Temperate Cities
1 eSikhaleni 22.5°C
2 Berea 22.3°C
3 eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality 22.3°C
4 Nelspruit 21.1°C
5 Ehlanzeni District 21.1°C
Best Air Quality Cities
1 City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality 25 AQI
Cities
Van Wyksvlei Diepsloot Albertina Sisonke District Municipality uThungulu District Municipality Hardys Memories of Africa Siyanda District Municipality Sunset Beach Cacadu District Municipality Eden District Municipality Grahamstown Eastleigh
Show 302 more cities
Eden Glen Eden Glen Ext 60 Muldersdriseloop Tembisa Berea eSikhaleni Mooirivier Ndwedwe uMgungundlovu Bochum Duiwelskloof Nelspruit Thaba Nchu Lebowakgomo Nkowakowa Stutterheim eMkhomazi Somerset East Belfast Maile Port Saint John’s Port Elizabeth Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Johannesburg City of Cape Town Cape Town eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Ehlanzeni District Bojanala Platinum District Municipality OR Tambo District Municipality Nkangala District Municipality Vhembe District Municipality Capricorn District Municipality Soweto Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Sekhukhune District Municipality Mopani District Municipality Gert Sibande District Municipality Sedibeng District Municipality Zululand District Municipality Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality Amathole District Municipality Alfred Nzo District Municipality Cape Winelands District Municipality Chris Hani District Municipality Pietermaritzburg West Rand District Municipality Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality Ugu District Municipality Waterberg District Municipality Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality Pretoria uThukela District Municipality uMkhanyakude District Municipality iLembe District Municipality Lejweleputswa District Municipality Durban uMzinyathi District Municipality Amajuba District Municipality Fezile Dabi District Municipality East London Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality Boksburg West Coast District Municipality Welkom Newcastle Frances Baard District Municipality Krugersdorp Rustenburg Witbank Joe Gqabi District Municipality Randburg Roodepoort Botshabelo Brakpan Overberg District Municipality Polokwane Bloemfontein Richards Bay John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality Centurion Klerksdorp Kimberley Middelburg Middelburg Pixley ka Seme District Municipality Mpumalanga Springs Carletonville KwaDukuza Benoni George Vryheid Potchefstroom eMbalenhle Nigel Bhisho Sasolburg Randfontein Xhariep District Municipality Virginia Brits Alberton Upington Queenstown Kroonstad Namakwa District Municipality Paarl Mabopane Orkney Uitenhage Standerton Mokopane Ermelo Vereeniging Westonaria Worcester Mthatha Vanderbijlpark Kutloanong Stilfontein Delmas Ga-Rankuwa Oudtshoorn Warmbaths Midrand Louis Trichardt Heidelberg Dundee Piet Retief Phuthaditjhaba Stellenbosch Mmabatho Central Karoo District Municipality Bethal Bothaville Parys Schweizer-Reneke Thohoyandou Barberton Atlantis Lichtenburg Graaff-Reinet Fochville Kokstad Mossel Bay Fort Beaufort Ekangala Kraaifontein Richmond Hermanus Vryburg Wellington Viljoenskroon Mondlo Butterworth Port Shepstone Knysna Modimolle Lydenburg Wolmaransstad Edenvale Balfour Beaufort West Aliwal North Siyabuswa Cradock Volksrust Musina Wesselsbron Ceres Senekal Vredenburg Plettenberg Bay Grabouw Giyani Malmesbury Theunissen Thabazimbi Margate Cullinan Whittlesea Bloemhof Harrismith Mtubatuba Empangeni Heilbron Howick De Aar Allanridge Frankfort Port Alfred Ladybrand Mpophomeni Postmasburg Ulundi Saldanha Driefontein Hendrina Retreat White River Lady Frere Christiana Midstream Reitz Scottburgh Koster Deneysville Greytown Hennenman Robertson Vredendal Pampierstad Vrede Clocolan Glencoe Bronkhorstspruit Villiers Komatipoort Secunda Carolina Queensdale Riversdale Hoopstad Burgersdorp Zeerust Kruisfontein Bredasdorp Marquard Kriel Montagu Alice Warrenton Eshowe Swellendam Vredefort Lansdowne Elliot Breyten Winburg Koppies Bethlehem Thulamahashi Brandfort Mahikeng Adelaide Rondebosch Tzaneen Claremont Lindley Ekuvukeni Molteno Ventersburg Jan Kempdorp Prince Albert Phalaborwa Caledon Moorreesburg Ilinge Mankoeng Sundumbili Colesberg Dordrecht Piketberg Barkly West Prieska Springbok Kirkwood Daniëlskuil Orange Farm Ritchie Ga-Kgapane Kathu Willowmore Kuruman Ladismith Utrecht Calvinia Clanwilliam Constantia Carnarvon Zoar Newlands Calitzdorp Rosebank Kenhardt Hluhluwe De Rust Noupoort Bergvliet Pofadder Fraserburg Modderfontein Brandvlei Orania Zastron Arniston Ballito
Economy & Finance
Finances
Economic Indicators
Cost Index 40
Cost of Living
Price Levels & Affordability
Housing Index 26
Investment
Credit Rating & Markets
Corp. Tax 27.00%
Taxation
Tax Rates & Compliance
Top Income Tax 45.00%
Employment
Labor & Social Protection
Startup Score 100/100
Business Environment
Trade & Commerce
FDI Openness 3/100
Society & Governance
International
Travel
Visas & Entry Requirements
Visa-Free 97 countries
Diplomatic Relations
Embassies & Alliances
Missions 97
Defence
Military & Security
Mil. Spending 0.73% GDP
Infrastructure
Energy & Transport
Internet Speed 62 Mbps
Environment
Emissions & Biodiversity
Disaster Risk 33/100
Alternatives
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Jurisdiction Guide
Tips & Cultural Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources: World Bank | WHO | Freedom House | OECD · Last updated: 2025
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