South Africa vs Western Europe: Electronic waste generated
South Africa
108,000 tonnes
in 2023
Western Europe
4.35 million tonnes
in 2025
South Africa rank
18th
Western Europe rank
16th
Electronic waste generated over time
- South Africa
- Western Europe
How they compare
Western Europe currently reports 4.35 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa, a difference of 4.24 million tonnes.
That makes Western Europe's figure about 40.2 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 6 shared years of data; in 2018 it was South Africa ahead.
South Africa ranks 18th and Western Europe ranks 16th 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 | Western Europe | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 112.57 million tonnes | 4.08 million tonnes | 108.48 million tonnes | South Africa |
| 2020s | 34.49 million tonnes | 4.22 million tonnes | 30.27 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 Western Europe?
- Western Europe, at 4.35 million tonnes against 108,000 tonnes in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in electronic waste generated between South Africa and Western Europe?
- 4.24 million tonnes, with Western Europe ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Western Europe?
- 6 years are reported by both, from 2018 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and Western Europe rank globally for electronic waste generated?
- South Africa ranks 18th and Western Europe ranks 16th 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.