Compare countries · South Africa vs United Kingdom
South Africa vs United Kingdom
South Africa(Africa)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: South Africa leads on 3, United Kingdom on 9, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is South Africa cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts South Africa at 37.1 and United Kingdom at 67.8. South Africa is about 45% cheaper overall.
Is South Africa or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), South Africa scores 2.31 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. United Kingdom ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, South Africa or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, South Africa scores 0.741 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. United Kingdom 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 South Africa compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $6,270 in South Africa against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 66.3 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 64 against 73. 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)
South Africa
37.1
Better than 63% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
South Africa: 45% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
South Africa
13.0
Better than 57% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
South Africa: 60% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
South Africa
2.31
Worse than 76% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
United Kingdom: more peaceful (1.73 vs 2.31).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
South Africa
25.5
Worse than 97% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
United Kingdom: higher perceived safety (51.7 vs 25.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
South Africa
0.741
Around the global middle
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.741).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
South Africa
$15,906
Worse than 59% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 306% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
South Africa
66.3 yrs
Worse than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: 15.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
South Africa
64.0
Around the global middle
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 64.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
South Africa
48 Mbps
Worse than 73% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
United Kingdom: 246% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
South Africa
78/100
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
South Africa
5.01
Worse than 69% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 5.01).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
South Africa
602
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 602).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
South Africa
95.7
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
South Africa: more pleasant climate rating (95.7 vs 87.8).
Deciding between South Africa and United Kingdom 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 South Africa profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.