Compare countries · Namibia vs South Africa
Namibia vs South Africa
Namibia(Africa)·
South Africa(Africa)
Across 10 comparable indicators: Namibia leads on 3, South Africa on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Namibia cheaper than South Africa?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Namibia at 36.3 and South Africa at 37.1. Namibia is about 2% cheaper overall.
Is Namibia or South Africa safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Namibia scores 1.87 and South Africa scores 2.31. Namibia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Namibia or South Africa?
On the UN Human Development Index, Namibia scores 0.665 and South Africa scores 0.741. South Africa scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Namibia compared to South Africa?
GNI per capita runs $4,340 in Namibia against $6,270 in South Africa; people live 67.5 years on average against 66.3. 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)
Namibia
36.3
Better than 66% of countries
South Africa
37.1
Better than 63% of countries
Namibia: 2% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Namibia
14.2
Around the global middle
South Africa
13.0
Better than 57% of countries
South Africa: 8% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Namibia
1.87
Better than 62% of countries
South Africa
2.31
Worse than 76% of countries
Namibia: more peaceful (1.87 vs 2.31).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Namibia
36.2
Worse than 88% of countries
South Africa
25.5
Worse than 97% of countries
Namibia: higher perceived safety (36.2 vs 25.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Namibia
0.665
Worse than 70% of countries
South Africa
0.741
Around the global middle
South Africa: higher human development (0.741 vs 0.665).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Namibia
$11,986
Worse than 66% of countries
South Africa
$15,906
Worse than 59% of countries
South Africa: 33% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Namibia
67.5 yrs
Worse than 78% of countries
South Africa
66.3 yrs
Worse than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Namibia
16 Mbps
Worse than 95% of countries
South Africa
48 Mbps
Worse than 73% of countries
South Africa: 194% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Namibia
77/100
Better than 87% of countries
South Africa
78/100
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Namibia
4.78
Worse than 74% of countries
South Africa
5.01
Worse than 69% of countries
South Africa: happier on the Cantril ladder (5.01 vs 4.78).
Not comparable for this pair
- Healthcare index: Numbeo doesn't publish a healthcare index for one of these countries.
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
- Climate pleasantness: Numbeo doesn't publish a climate index for one of these countries.
Deciding between Namibia 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 Namibia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full South Africa profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.