Germany vs South Africa: Municipal waste recycled

Germany
35.04 million
in 2023
South Africa
1.33 billion
in 2023
Germany rank
2nd
South Africa rank
1st

Municipal waste recycled over time

  • Germany
  • South Africa
01.0B2.0B3.0B200020112023

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 1.33 billion against 35.04 million in Germany, a difference of 1.29 billion.

That makes South Africa's figure about 37.9 times Germany's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 8 shared years of data; in 2005 it was Germany ahead.

Germany ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 82 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Germany averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Germany South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 28.60 million 390,705 28.21 million Germany
2010s 33.73 million 2.65 billion 2.62 billion South Africa
2020s 36.56 million 1.51 billion 1.47 billion South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher municipal waste recycled, Germany or South Africa?
South Africa, at 1.33 billion against 35.04 million in Germany as of 2023.
What is the difference in municipal waste recycled between Germany and South Africa?
1.29 billion, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Germany and South Africa?
8 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2023.
How do Germany and South Africa rank globally for municipal waste recycled?
Germany ranks 2nd and South Africa ranks 1st of 82 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Municipal waste recycled (Tonnes). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Germany vs South Africa: Municipal waste recycled. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/municipal-waste-recycled-tonnes/germany/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Municipal waste recycled (Tonnes)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
88 places, 1,491 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed