South Africa vs South America: Electronic waste generated
South Africa
108,000 tonnes
in 2023
South America
4.75 million tonnes
in 2025
South Africa rank
18th
South America rank
15th
Electronic waste generated over time
- South Africa
- South America
How they compare
South America currently reports 4.75 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa, a difference of 4.64 million tonnes.
That makes South America's figure about 43.9 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 6 shared years of data; in 2018 it was South Africa ahead.
South Africa ranks 18th and South America ranks 15th of 31 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | South America | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 112.57 million tonnes | 3.94 million tonnes | 108.62 million tonnes | South Africa |
| 2020s | 34.49 million tonnes | 4.35 million tonnes | 30.14 million tonnes | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher electronic waste generated, South Africa or South America?
- South America, at 4.75 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in electronic waste generated between South Africa and South America?
- 4.64 million tonnes, with South America ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and South America?
- 6 years are reported by both, from 2018 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and South America rank globally for electronic waste generated?
- South Africa ranks 18th and South America ranks 15th of 31 countries.
- 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.