Compare countries · Egypt vs South Africa
Egypt vs South Africa
Egypt(Africa)·
South Africa(Africa)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Egypt leads on 7, South Africa on 5, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Egypt cheaper than South Africa?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Egypt at 21.6 and South Africa at 37.1. Egypt is about 42% cheaper overall.
Is Egypt or South Africa safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Egypt scores 2.19 and South Africa scores 2.31. Egypt ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Egypt or South Africa?
On the UN Human Development Index, Egypt scores 0.754 and South Africa scores 0.741. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Egypt compared to South Africa?
GNI per capita runs $3,260 in Egypt against $6,270 in South Africa; people live 71.8 years on average against 66.3; Numbeo users rate healthcare 48 against 64. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Egypt
21.6
Better than 97% of countries
South Africa
37.1
Better than 63% of countries
Egypt: 42% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Egypt
4.0
Better than 97% of countries
South Africa
13.0
Better than 57% of countries
Egypt: 69% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Egypt
2.19
Worse than 69% of countries
South Africa
2.31
Worse than 76% of countries
Egypt: more peaceful (2.19 vs 2.31).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Egypt
53.6
Around the global middle
South Africa
25.5
Worse than 97% of countries
Egypt: higher perceived safety (53.6 vs 25.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Egypt
0.754
Around the global middle
South Africa
0.741
Around the global middle
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Egypt
$20,204
Around the global middle
South Africa
$15,906
Worse than 59% of countries
Egypt: 27% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Egypt
71.8 yrs
Worse than 62% of countries
South Africa
66.3 yrs
Worse than 84% of countries
Egypt: 5.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Egypt
47.9
Worse than 94% of countries
South Africa
64.0
Around the global middle
South Africa: better-rated healthcare (64.0 vs 47.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Egypt
92 Mbps
Around the global middle
South Africa
48 Mbps
Worse than 73% of countries
Egypt: 90% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Egypt
25/100
Worse than 94% of countries
South Africa
78/100
Better than 88% of countries
South Africa: freer press (78 vs 25 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Egypt
3.86
Worse than 94% of countries
South Africa
5.01
Worse than 69% of countries
South Africa: happier on the Cantril ladder (5.01 vs 3.86).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Egypt
458
Worse than 75% of countries
South Africa
602
Better than 83% of countries
South Africa: stronger English proficiency (602 vs 458).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Egypt
85.3
Better than 61% of countries
South Africa
95.7
Better than 94% of countries
South Africa: more pleasant climate rating (95.7 vs 85.3).
Deciding between Egypt and South Africa for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Egypt profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full South Africa profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.