South Africa a superpower? No, not quite...
Population
According to 1998 estimates, the population of South Africa numbered approximately 41.4 million.1
The average population growth rate for the years 1995-2000 was approximately 1.5%.2
In 1998, women accounted for almost 52% of the total population.3
Estimates for 1998 indicated that approximately 53% of the population resided in urban areas.4
Estimates in 2000 indicated that approximately 75.2% of South Africa's population is Black, 13.6% is White, 8.6% is classified as Coloured, and 2.6%
is Indian/Asian.5
Economy
In 1998, South Africa's Gross National Product (GNP) per capita was U.S.$3,310.6
Between 1997 and 1998, South Africa's GNP grew at an average annual rate of 0.5%.7
The distribution of income in South Africa remains one of the most unequal in the world. A 1999 survey found that while only 1% of Whites lived below
the poverty line, 61% of Africans, 38% of Coloured persons, and 5% of Indians were classified as poor.8
The health budget for 1998-1999 increased to approximately U.S.$9.1 billion (R25.1 billion) and comprised about 12% of total estimated government
expenditures.9
Statistics for 1998 indicated that approximately 62% of South Africa's population had access to basic health care within 5 kilometers of their
home.10
Employment
In 1998, women represented approximately 37.6% of the total work force.11
An estimated 15% of economically active women and 35% of men were unemployed in 1998.12
lets compare that to a REAL superpower...
DEMOGRAPHY
POPULATION: 266557000 (1996)
DENSITY: 28 persons/sq. km GROWTH RATE: 0%/year
URBAN POP: 76% (1994), versus 70% (1960), Annual Growth: 1.2%
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 76.2 years, ADULT LITERACY: 99.0%
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX: 0.942
ECONOMY
GNP: US$6737.0 billion, Annual GNP Growth Rate 1980-1993: 2.4%, Annual Growth Rate GNP/Capita: 1.7%
GDP/Capita: $20500 GDP/Capita PPP: $26397
GDP/Capita: 1960 $10707, 1970 $13794, 1980 $16389, 1990 $19461
China, about the closest thing to another superpower, would completely dwarf SA's figures as well.....
