Northern Europe vs South Africa: Electronic waste generated
Northern Europe
2.50 million tonnes
in 2025
South Africa
108,000 tonnes
in 2023
Northern Europe rank
21st
South Africa rank
18th
Electronic waste generated over time
- Northern Europe
- South Africa
How they compare
Northern Europe currently reports 2.50 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa, a difference of 2.39 million tonnes.
That makes Northern Europe's figure about 23.2 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 6 shared years of data; in 2018 it was South Africa ahead.
Northern Europe ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 18th of 34 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Northern Europe | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 2.34 million tonnes | 112.57 million tonnes | 110.22 million tonnes | South Africa |
| 2020s | 2.44 million tonnes | 34.49 million tonnes | 32.05 million tonnes | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher electronic waste generated, Northern Europe or South Africa?
- Northern Europe, at 2.50 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in electronic waste generated between Northern Europe and South Africa?
- 2.39 million tonnes, with Northern Europe ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Northern Europe and South Africa?
- 6 years are reported by both, from 2018 to 2023.
- How do Northern Europe and South Africa rank globally for electronic waste generated?
- Northern Europe ranks 21st and South Africa ranks 18th of 34 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Electronic waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.