Photo: Damien du Toit · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Africa: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
South Africa is placed 172nd of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 6.872 (2024); Water Stress 67.6 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
172nd
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place South Africa on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
6.872
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
South Africa: 6.872. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.841 Eswatini
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.96 · Lesotho 1.1 · Mozambique 0.249 · Namibia 1.145 · Eswatini 0.841 · Zimbabwe 0.824
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
67.6
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
South Africa: 67.6. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.31 Namibia
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.32 · Lesotho 2.57 · Mozambique 1.75 · Namibia 0.31 · Eswatini 77.56 · Zimbabwe 46.09
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.03
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
South Africa: 0.03. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.63 Eswatini
- Land neighbours
- Mozambique 0.04 · Namibia 0 · Eswatini 0.63 · Zimbabwe 0.01
2.56
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
South Africa: 2.56. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Southern Africa
- 1.822 Eswatini
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.152 · Mozambique 0.588 · Eswatini 1.822 · Zimbabwe 1.242
02Over time
Which way South Africa is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 8.022 in 2000 to 6.872 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 6.872 3.210 2023 6.907 3.145 2022 6.874 3.162 2021 7.145 3.087 2020 7.188 2.903 2019 7.900 3.273 2018 7.742 3.036 2017 7.634 3.049 2016 7.982 2.894 2015 8.065 2.846 2014 8.663 2.919 2013 8.343 2.779 2012 8.580 2.770 2011 8.949 2.748 2010 8.928 2.812 2009 9.173 2.799 2008 9.678 2.979 2007 9.203 2.593 2006 8.935 2.865 2005 8.410 2.885 2004 9.171 2.802 2003 8.338 2.918 2002 7.424 2.785 2001 7.812 2.726 2000 8.022 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 31.87 in 2000 to 67.6 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2023 67.60 10.000 2022 67.60 10.190 2021 66.89 10.460 2020 65.03 10.460 2019 64.04 10.890 2018 62.89 10.460 2017 62.06 10.460 2016 60.97 10.460 2015 59.75 10.190 2014 59.14 10.460 2013 58.72 10.460 2012 58.46 10.460 2011 57.82 10.460 2010 55.24 10.710 2009 56.65 10.960 2008 56.45 10.815 2007 56.22 11.180 2006 56.18 10.430 2005 55.04 10.250 2004 47.92 10.715 2003 54.91 10.370 2002 51.95 10.180 2001 36.09 10.130 2000 31.87 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 0.05 in 2005 to 0.03 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 0.03 0.725 2023 0.04 0.780 2022 0.05 0.740 2021 0.10 0.710 2020 0.04 0.665 2019 0.03 0.550 2018 0.09 0.490 2017 0.04 0.630 2016 0.01 0.545 2015 0.04 0.540 2014 0.02 0.470 2013 0.04 0.440 2012 0.04 0.480 2011 0.04 0.460 2010 0.06 0.330 2009 0.06 0.335 2008 0.05 0.290 2007 0.05 0.370 2006 0.05 0.305 2005 0.05 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 3.084 in 2000 to 2.56 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2025 2.560 2.2963 2024 2.587 2.3139 2023 2.701 2.3174 2022 2.719 2.2724 2021 2.995 2.3370 2020 2.915 2.3057 2019 3.095 2.2578 2018 3.116 2.2485 2017 3.190 2.2209 2016 3.022 2.2308 2015 3.083 2.3000 2014 3.423 2.3814 2013 3.372 2.3363 2012 3.543 2.4200 2011 3.397 2.4794 2010 3.572 2.3679 2009 3.544 2.2224 2008 3.797 2.1727 2007 3.629 2.2036 2006 3.529 2.1203 2005 3.304 2.1512 2004 3.505 2.1055 2003 3.208 2.0449 2002 3.152 2.1195 2001 3.275 2.2004 2000 3.084 1.9499
03In context
South Africa beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
South Africa and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lesotho | =22nd | 1.1 | 2.57 | — | — |
 Mozambique | 29th | 0.249 | 1.75 | 0.04 | 0.588 |
 Botswana | 55th | 2.96 | 2.32 | — | 2.152 |
 Namibia | 72nd | 1.145 | 0.31 | 0 | — |
 Eswatini | 103rd | 0.841 | 77.56 | 0.63 | 1.822 |
 Zimbabwe | 130th | 0.824 | 46.09 | 0.01 | 1.242 |
| South Africa | 172nd | 6.872 | 67.6 | 0.03 | 2.56 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
- Lesotho=22nd
- Botswana55th
- Namibia72nd
- Eswatini103rd
- South Africa172nd
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below South Africa in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where South Africa is ahead of the world, and behind
40 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which South Africa does better than the middle country measured.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.3490.966No earlier reading
South Africa: 0.349 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 182nd of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.390▲ Improved since 2015
South Africa: 0.39 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.31.565▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 1.3 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 111th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.4360.45▲ Improved since 2014
South Africa: 0.436 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 87th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6850.678▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 0.685 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 75th of 156 · derived.
Behind the world median10
Statistics on which South Africa does worse than the middle country measured.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.116.0116.1▼ Worsened since 2013
South Africa: 16.01 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 55.25No earlier reading
South Africa: 5.2 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 72nd of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1815.6418.18▼ Worsened since 2015
South Africa: 15.64 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4443.9747.44▼ Worsened since 2014
South Africa: 43.97 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 116th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.179.54.17No real change since 2015
South Africa: 9.5 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 58th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.857.663.8No earlier reading
South Africa: 57.6 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 69th of 99 by World Energy Council.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4527.614.45▼ Worsened since 2013
South Africa: 27.6 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 46th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528718.22,528No real change since 2012
South Africa: 718.2 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 145th of 181 · derived.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6634.1681.663No earlier reading
South Africa: 4.168 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7386.7562.738No real change since 2014
South Africa: 6.756 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.143.14No real change since 2015
South Africa: 3.14 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 186 · derived.
No better end24
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9679.4237.96No real change since 2013
South Africa: 79.42 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 6th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 52545,024525No earlier reading
South Africa: 45,024 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.692,995325.69No real change since 2015
South Africa: 2,995 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1446.6710.144Moved since 2014
South Africa: 6.671 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8242,587,81813,824No real change since 2015
South Africa: 2,587,818 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.7988.812.79No real change since 2013
South Africa: 88.8 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1004,263100No earlier reading
South Africa: 4,263 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375476,54752,375Moved since 2014
South Africa: 476,547 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2783,334,465689,278No real change since 2013
South Africa: 3,334,465 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 37th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63542,6388,635Moved since 2013
South Africa: 42,638 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 41st of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7087.3291.708Moved since 2011
South Africa: 7.329 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 56th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.190.109No real change since 2013
South Africa: 0.19 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 63rd of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,77527,4243,775Moved since 2015
South Africa: 27,424 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.733.281.73Moved since 2014
South Africa: 3.28 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 69th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8358.2757.83Moved since 2013
South Africa: 58.27 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1459.462.14Moved since 2012
South Africa: 59.4 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 91st of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3677.1987.36Moved since 2013
South Africa: 77.19 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 102nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,9272,0258,927No real change since 2015
South Africa: 2,025 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6323.9637.63Moved since 2013
South Africa: 23.96 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.661.6613.66No earlier reading
South Africa: 1.661 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 76th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0813.9731.08No real change since 2013
South Africa: 13.97 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 147th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9540.1992.954No real change since 1990
South Africa: 0.199 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.0491.474Moved since 2015
South Africa: 1.049 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.140.535No real change since 2013
South Africa: 0.14 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 165th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for South Africa
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue (last 2023), Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among South Africa’s 15 topics
Environment & Sustainability is South Africa’s 15th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality40th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade39th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology61st of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties65th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 77th of 1844/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation101st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital116th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 134th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 148th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience152nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality145th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability172nd of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders South Africa can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Angola1st3/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
Lesotho=22nd2/4 keysThis page
South Africa172nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
South Africa on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does South Africa rank on environment & sustainability?
South Africa is placed 172nd of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for South Africa?
6.872 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for South Africa?
67.6 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does South Africa compare with Mozambique on environment & sustainability?
Mozambique is placed 29th of 186, and South Africa 172nd. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Mozambique 0.249, South Africa 6.872; Water Stress: Mozambique 1.75, South Africa 67.6; Organic Agricultural Area: Mozambique 0.04, South Africa 0.03; Ecological Footprint: Mozambique 0.588, South Africa 2.56.
How have South Africa’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 8.022 in 2000 to 6.872 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 31.87 in 2000 to 67.6 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area fell from 0.05 in 2005 to 0.03 in 2024; Ecological Footprint fell from 3.084 in 2000 to 2.56 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for South Africa?
No current reading is published for South Africa on Adjusted Net Savings, Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 40 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
South Africa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Africa (banner) — Damien du Toit, CC BY 2.0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Africa: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-africa/environment