South Africa vs Zambia
South Africa vs Zambia: Temperature
Temperature in 2025: 18.3 °C in South Africa and 22 °C in Zambia, by ERA5 observations. In 2025 the value was higher in Zambia, by 3.7 °C, or 1.2 times that in South Africa.
°C · ERA5
What the numbers say
- Zambia has been higher in every year both have figures for since 1950.
- In 2025, South Africa ranked 155 and Zambia ranked 131 of 233 countries, counting from the highest.
- The CMIP6 model median (SSP2-4.5, middle of the road) puts South Africa at 20.7 °C and Zambia at 25 °C in 2100.
Every year
°C · ERA5
| Year | South Africa | South Africa: CMIP6 historical run, model median | Zambia | Zambia: CMIP6 historical run, model median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.3 | 18.8 | 22 | 23 |
| 2024 | 18.9 | 19 | 22.8 | 23.1 |
| 2023 | 18.2 | 18.8 | 22.7 | 23.1 |
| 2022 | 18.1 | 18.9 | 21.9 | 23 |
| 2021 | 17.8 | 18.8 | 22.1 | 22.9 |
| 2020 | 18.2 | 18.7 | 22.2 | 22.9 |
| 2019 | 19.1 | 18.7 | 22.6 | 22.8 |
| 2018 | 18.3 | 18.7 | 22.3 | 22.8 |
| 2017 | 18.2 | 18.7 | 22 | 22.8 |
| 2016 | 18.8 | 18.5 | 22.5 | 22.6 |
| 2015 | 18.8 | 18.6 | 22.4 | 22.8 |
| 2014 | 17.9 | 18.6 | 22.3 | 22.6 |
| 2013 | 17.8 | 18.7 | 22.2 | 22.6 |
| 2012 | 17.7 | 18.6 | 21.9 | 22.6 |
| 2011 | 17.3 | 18.3 | 21.7 | 22.5 |
| 2010 | 18.2 | 18.4 | 22.1 | 22.4 |
| 2009 | 17.7 | 18.4 | 21.6 | 22.4 |
| 2008 | 17.9 | 18.3 | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| 2007 | 17.8 | 18.2 | 21.9 | 22.4 |
| 2006 | 17.4 | 18.4 | 21.7 | 22.3 |
| 2005 | 18.1 | 18.4 | 22.6 | 22.4 |
| 2004 | 18 | 18.4 | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| 2003 | 18.1 | 18.3 | 22 | 22.4 |
| 2002 | 17.7 | 18.3 | 22.1 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 17.6 | 18.2 | 21.7 | 22.5 |
| 2000 | 17.2 | 18.3 | 21.7 | 22.3 |
| 1999 | 18.3 | 18.1 | 21.7 | 22.2 |
| 1998 | 17.8 | 18.1 | 22.4 | 22.4 |
| 1997 | 17.2 | 18.1 | 21.9 | 22.2 |
| 1996 | 16.8 | 18 | 22.1 | 22.1 |
| 1995 | 17.5 | 17.9 | 22.5 | 22.1 |
| 1994 | 17.4 | 17.9 | 21.9 | 22 |
| 1993 | 18 | 17.7 | 21.7 | 21.8 |
| 1992 | 18 | 17.5 | 22.2 | 21.7 |
| 1991 | 17.5 | 18.2 | 21.6 | 22.1 |
| 1990 | 17.5 | 18.1 | 21.9 | 22.2 |
| 1989 | 17.2 | 17.9 | 21.5 | 22.1 |
| 1988 | 17.4 | 18.1 | 21.8 | 22.1 |
| 1987 | 17.9 | 18 | 22.4 | 22 |
| 1986 | 17.8 | 17.9 | 21.1 | 22 |
| 1985 | 17.9 | 17.8 | 21.2 | 21.8 |
| 1984 | 17.8 | 17.8 | 21.6 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 18 | 17.7 | 22.3 | 21.9 |
| 1982 | 17.5 | 17.9 | 21.5 | 21.9 |
| 1981 | 16.9 | 17.9 | 21.3 | 22 |
| 1980 | 17.5 | 18 | 21.4 | 21.9 |
| 1979 | 17.4 | 17.8 | 21 | 21.9 |
| 1978 | 17.1 | 17.8 | 21.1 | 21.8 |
| 1977 | 17.3 | 17.9 | 21.6 | 21.9 |
| 1976 | 16.5 | 17.8 | 20.7 | 21.8 |
| 1975 | 16.7 | 17.7 | 21.1 | 21.8 |
| 1974 | 16.7 | 17.8 | 20.7 | 21.9 |
| 1973 | 17.2 | 17.8 | 21.6 | 21.9 |
| 1972 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 21.2 | 21.8 |
| 1971 | 17 | 17.7 | 21.1 | 21.8 |
| 1970 | 17.5 | 17.7 | 21.5 | 21.9 |
| 1969 | 17.4 | 17.7 | 21.3 | 21.8 |
| 1968 | 16.6 | 17.7 | 21.4 | 21.7 |
| 1967 | 17 | 17.6 | 21.3 | 21.6 |
| 1966 | 17.6 | 17.7 | 21.7 | 21.6 |
| 1965 | 17.2 | 17.5 | 21.2 | 21.7 |
| 1964 | 17 | 17.3 | 21.3 | 21.5 |
| 1963 | 17.2 | 17.3 | 21.2 | 21.5 |
| 1962 | 17.6 | 17.8 | 21.3 | 21.9 |
| 1961 | 17.2 | 17.9 | 21 | 21.8 |
| 1960 | 17.2 | 17.7 | 21.1 | 21.9 |
| 1959 | 17.2 | 17.7 | 21.2 | 21.9 |
| 1958 | 17.4 | 17.8 | 21.1 | 21.9 |
| 1957 | 17.2 | 17.9 | 21.1 | 21.9 |
| 1956 | 16.9 | 17.6 | 20.8 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 16.4 | 17.9 | 20.9 | 21.9 |
| 1954 | 16.7 | 17.7 | 22.1 | 21.8 |
| 1953 | 17.8 | 17.6 | 20.9 | 21.7 |
| 1952 | 17.5 | 17.9 | 21.7 | 21.8 |
| 1951 | 17.4 | 17.7 | 22 | 21.8 |
| 1950 | 17.4 | 17.7 | 20.9 | 21.8 |
- 12.3Projected
CMIP6 model median (SSP2-4.5, middle of the road) · 2026–2100
| Year | South Africa | South Africa: CMIP6 historical run, model median | Zambia | Zambia: CMIP6 historical run, model median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | 1918.2–19.9 | – | 23.122.4–23.7 |
| 2027 | – | 1918.3–19.8 | – | 23.222.6–23.8 |
| 2028 | – | 1918.2–19.6 | – | 23.222.6–23.7 |
| 2029 | – | 19.218.6–19.9 | – | 23.422.6–23.8 |
| 2030 | – | 19.218.4–19.9 | – | 23.222.7–23.7 |
| 2031 | – | 19.218.4–20.1 | – | 23.322.8–23.9 |
| 2032 | – | 19.218.5–19.9 | – | 23.322.7–24 |
| 2033 | – | 19.218.4–19.9 | – | 23.322.8–24 |
| 2034 | – | 19.218.6–20 | – | 23.322.6–24.5 |
| 2035 | – | 19.118.3–19.8 | – | 23.522.8–24.1 |
| 2036 | – | 19.218.5–19.8 | – | 23.422.6–24 |
| 2037 | – | 19.418.7–20.2 | – | 23.622.8–24.3 |
| 2038 | – | 19.518.8–20.2 | – | 23.623–24.2 |
| 2039 | – | 19.418.5–20.1 | – | 23.422.8–24.3 |
| 2040 | – | 19.418.7–20.2 | – | 23.322.9–24.1 |
| 2041 | – | 19.518.7–20.2 | – | 23.622.9–24.4 |
| 2042 | – | 19.718.7–20.4 | – | 23.722.9–24.4 |
| 2043 | – | 19.718.8–20.4 | – | 23.622.9–24.3 |
| 2044 | – | 19.518.7–20.6 | – | 23.623–24.4 |
| 2045 | – | 19.518.7–20.4 | – | 23.522.9–24.4 |
| 2046 | – | 19.819–20.6 | – | 23.923.1–24.6 |
| 2047 | – | 19.918.9–20.6 | – | 23.923.1–24.7 |
| 2048 | – | 19.919–20.6 | – | 23.923.1–24.7 |
| 2049 | – | 19.919.1–20.8 | – | 23.923–24.7 |
| 2050 | – | 19.819–20.8 | – | 2423.3–24.8 |
| 2051 | – | 19.919–20.7 | – | 2423.4–24.8 |
| 2052 | – | 2019–20.9 | – | 24.223.2–25 |
| 2053 | – | 19.919.1–20.7 | – | 2423.1–24.7 |
| 2054 | – | 2019–21 | – | 24.123.2–25.1 |
| 2055 | – | 2019.1–21 | – | 24.123.3–25 |
| 2056 | – | 2018.9–20.9 | – | 24.123.3–25.2 |
| 2057 | – | 20.118.9–21.3 | – | 2423.4–25.1 |
| 2058 | – | 2019.1–20.8 | – | 24.323.4–25 |
| 2059 | – | 20.219.1–20.9 | – | 24.323.5–25.3 |
| 2060 | – | 20.219.3–21.1 | – | 24.323.2–25.2 |
| 2061 | – | 20.219.3–21.1 | – | 24.123.3–25.4 |
| 2062 | – | 2019–21.1 | – | 24.323.4–25.3 |
| 2063 | – | 20.119.2–21.3 | – | 24.423.4–25.1 |
| 2064 | – | 20.119.3–21 | – | 24.323.3–25 |
| 2065 | – | 20.119.1–21.2 | – | 24.123.5–25.6 |
| 2066 | – | 20.319.3–21.4 | – | 24.423.6–25.4 |
| 2067 | – | 20.119–21.1 | – | 24.223.3–25.4 |
| 2068 | – | 20.319.2–21.2 | – | 24.423.6–25.4 |
| 2069 | – | 20.319.3–21.2 | – | 24.423.6–25.3 |
| 2070 | – | 20.219.4–21.3 | – | 24.423.6–25.5 |
| 2071 | – | 20.419.5–21.6 | – | 24.523.6–25.7 |
| 2072 | – | 20.419.5–21.3 | – | 24.623.7–25.4 |
| 2073 | – | 20.719.8–21.5 | – | 24.623.7–25.9 |
| 2074 | – | 20.419.4–21.5 | – | 24.523.7–25.5 |
| 2075 | – | 20.419.4–21.4 | – | 24.423.6–25.6 |
| 2076 | – | 20.519.5–21.4 | – | 24.423.6–25.6 |
| 2077 | – | 20.619.6–21.7 | – | 24.723.7–25.6 |
| 2078 | – | 20.419.5–21.6 | – | 24.723.7–25.6 |
| 2079 | – | 20.619.4–21.6 | – | 24.623.8–25.7 |
| 2080 | – | 20.719.6–21.7 | – | 24.723.7–25.7 |
| 2081 | – | 20.519.6–21.6 | – | 24.623.7–25.8 |
| 2082 | – | 20.619.6–21.5 | – | 24.723.8–25.5 |
| 2083 | – | 20.719.6–21.6 | – | 24.523.6–25.8 |
| 2084 | – | 20.719.4–21.6 | – | 24.823.8–25.7 |
| 2085 | – | 20.719.6–22 | – | 2523.9–25.9 |
| 2086 | – | 20.619.8–22 | – | 24.523.8–25.9 |
| 2087 | – | 20.519.7–21.7 | – | 24.823.9–25.8 |
| 2088 | – | 20.819.7–21.9 | – | 2523.9–25.8 |
| 2089 | – | 20.719.7–21.6 | – | 2524.1–25.8 |
| 2090 | – | 20.819.6–21.9 | – | 24.923.9–26 |
| 2091 | – | 20.819.7–21.9 | – | 2523.8–26.1 |
| 2092 | – | 20.919.9–21.9 | – | 25.123.8–25.9 |
| 2093 | – | 20.619.6–21.8 | – | 24.923.7–26 |
| 2094 | – | 20.619.8–22 | – | 25.123.9–26 |
| 2095 | – | 2119.6–22.3 | – | 25.124.1–26.1 |
| 2096 | – | 20.819.7–22.1 | – | 24.824–26.1 |
| 2097 | – | 20.619.5–21.9 | – | 24.723.9–25.9 |
| 2098 | – | 20.919.8–22.3 | – | 2523.8–26.1 |
| 2099 | – | 20.819.7–22 | – | 25.123.9–26.3 |
| 2100 | – | 20.719.6–21.9 | – | 2523.9–26.1 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- The average air temperature near the ground, over the whole country and the whole year.
- Source: ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus, ECMWF) and CMIP6, via the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
- The dashed line is the CMIP6 model median (SSP2-4.5, middle of the road), a scenario rather than a forecast; the band is its models’ 10th–90th percentile.
- Climate model values are the median of the CMIP6 models, run on past emissions to 2014 and on SSP2-4.5, a middle-of-the-road path, after: they are not measurements.
- Ranks count the 233 countries with a value in 2025, highest first.
How the layers work, where their data comes from and what they can’t tell you: Countries through time
South Africa vs Zambia
Health
- Life expectancySouth Africa: 66.1 years in 2023Zambia: 66.4 years in 2023
- Child mortalitySouth Africa: 3.5 per 100 live births in 2024Zambia: 4.8 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalitySouth Africa: 27.9 per 1,000 live births in 2023Zambia: 38.2 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionSouth Africa: 3.75% in 2017Zambia: 3.64% in 2017
- Suicide rateSouth Africa: 11.2 per 100,000 people in 2017Zambia: 13.1 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationSouth Africa: 63.2 million people in 2023Zambia: 20.7 million people in 2023
- Population growthSouth Africa: 1.32% a year in 2023Zambia: 2.83% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateSouth Africa: 2.22 births per woman in 2023Zambia: 4.1 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationSouth Africa: 63.8% in 2025Zambia: 45.9% in 2025
- Median ageSouth Africa: 28.2 years in 2023Zambia: 17.5 years in 2023
- People aged 65 and overSouth Africa: 6.5% in 2023Zambia: 1.9% in 2023
- Net migration rateSouth Africa: 3.6 per 1,000 people in 2023Zambia: 0.5 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingSouth Africa: 0.74% of GDP in 2025Zambia: 1.26% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsSouth Africa: $3B in 2025Zambia: $343M in 2025
- Military spending per personSouth Africa: $49 in 2025Zambia: $19 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingSouth Africa: 2.2% of government spending in 2025Zambia: 4.5% of government spending in 2025
- Armed forces personnelSouth Africa: 89,000 people in 2020Zambia: 16,000 people in 2020
- National powerSouth Africa: 0.55% of world capability in 2022Zambia: 0.1% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersSouth Africa: 0.4% of the labour force in 2020Zambia: 0.24% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsSouth Africa: 30 million TIV in 2025Zambia: 1 million TIV in 2024
- Arms exportsSouth Africa: 115 million TIV in 2025Zambia: 2 million TIV in 1990