Germany vs South Africa: Land use
Germany
11.88 million hectares
in 2023
South Africa
12.41 million hectares
in 2023
Germany rank
28th
South Africa rank
27th
Land use over time
- Germany
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 12.41 million hectares against 11.88 million hectares in Germany, a difference of 532,000 hectares.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 63 shared years of data; in 1961 it was Germany ahead.
Germany ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 27th of 223 countries.
Across the 7 decades both report, Germany averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 6.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Germany | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12.61 million hectares | 12.37 million hectares | 248,000 hectares | Germany |
| 1970s | 12.49 million hectares | 12.56 million hectares | 67,600 hectares | South Africa |
| 1980s | 12.44 million hectares | 12.75 million hectares | 316,200 hectares | South Africa |
| 1990s | 12.02 million hectares | 13.73 million hectares | 1.71 million hectares | South Africa |
| 2000s | 12.07 million hectares | 13.58 million hectares | 1.51 million hectares | South Africa |
| 2010s | 12.01 million hectares | 12.47 million hectares | 458,300 hectares | South Africa |
| 2020s | 11.87 million hectares | 12.41 million hectares | 547,250 hectares | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher land use, Germany or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 12.41 million hectares against 11.88 million hectares in Germany as of 2023.
- What is the difference in land use between Germany and South Africa?
- 532,000 hectares, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Germany and South Africa?
- 63 years are reported by both, from 1961 to 2023.
- How do Germany and South Africa rank globally for land use?
- Germany ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 27th of 223 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as Land use. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.