ZAR to SEK Live Rate

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

29 00 S, 24 00 E

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Africa

Europe

total: 1,219,090 sq km

land: 1,214,470 sq km

water: 4,620 sq km

note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)

country comparison to the world: 26

total: 450,295 sq km

land: 410,335 sq km

water: 39,960 sq km

country comparison to the world: 57

total: 5,244 km

border countries (6): Botswana 1,969 km, Lesotho 1,106 km, Mozambique 496 km, Namibia 1,005 km, Eswatini 438 km, Zimbabwe 230 km

total: 2,211 km

border countries (2): Finland 545 km, Norway 1,666 km

2,798 km

3,218 km

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)

exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

mean elevation: 1,034 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m

mean elevation: 320 m

elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m

highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

agricultural land: 79.4%

arable land 9.9%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 69.2%

forest: 7.6%

other: 13% (2011 est.)

agricultural land: 7.5%

arable land 6.4%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 1.1%

forest: 68.7%

other: 23.8% (2011 est.)

16,700 sq km (2012)

1,640 sq km (2012)

the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Petoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west

most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

prolonged droughts

volcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification

acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Eswatini

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; Sweden has almost 100,000 lakes, the largest of which, Vanern, is the third largest in Europe

almost three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California

54,841,552

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

9,960,487 (July 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 91

noun: South African(s)

adjective: South African

noun: Swede(s)

adjective: Swedish

black African 80.2%, white 8.4%, colored 8.8%, Indian/Asian 2.5%

note: colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry (2014 est.)

indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; most common countries of origin among immigrants: Syria, Finland, Iraq, Poland, Iran

isiZulu (official) 22.7%, isiXhosa (official) 16%, Afrikaans (official) 13.5%, English (official) 9.6%, Sepedi (official) 9.1%, Setswana (official) 8%, Sesotho (official) 7.6%, Xitsonga (official) 4.5%, siSwati (official) 2.5%, Tshivenda (official) 2.4%, isiNdebele (official) 2.1%, sign language 0.5%, other 1.6% (2011 est.)

Swedish (official)

note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages

Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 est.)

Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 63%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 17% (2016 est.)

South Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.

As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 63 years as of 2017. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.

Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.

After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.

In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed “assimilable” white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.

Under apartheid, a “two gates” migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.

The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.

In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.

South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge.

total dependency ratio: 52.5

youth dependency ratio: 44.8

elderly dependency ratio: 7.7

potential support ratio: 12.9 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio: 58.5

youth dependency ratio: 27.4

elderly dependency ratio: 31.1

potential support ratio: 3.2 (2015 est.)

total: 27.1 years

male: 26.9 years

female: 27.3 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 145

total: 41.2 years

male: 40.2 years

female: 42.2 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

0.99% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 114

0.81% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 128

20.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

12.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 167

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 58

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 57

-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 136

5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Petoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west

most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

urban population: 65.8% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population: 86.1% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni) 9.399 million; Cape Town (legislative capital) 3.66 million; Durban 2.901 million; PRETORIA (capital) 2.059 million; Port Elizabeth 1.179 million; Vereeniging 1.155 million (2015)

STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.486 million (2015)

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

138 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 63

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 177

total: 31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 62

total: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 218

total population: 63.8 years

male: 62.4 years

female: 65.3 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 190

total population: 82.1 years

male: 80.2 years

female: 84.2 years (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

2.29 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 91

1.88 children born/woman (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 141

8.8% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 44

11.9% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 6

0.82 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

4.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

improved:

urban: 99.6% of population

rural: 81.4% of population

total: 93.2% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.4% of population

rural: 18.6% of population

total: 6.8% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 69.6% of population

rural: 60.5% of population

total: 66.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: 30.4% of population

rural: 39.5% of population

total: 33.6% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 99.3% of population

rural: 99.6% of population

total: 99.3% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.7% of population

rural: 0.4% of population

total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)

18.9% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 4

0.2% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 98

7.1 million (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1

11,000 (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 92

110,000 (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

<100 (2016 est.)

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2016)

28.3% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 30

20.6% (2016)

country comparison to the world: 97

8.7% (2008)

country comparison to the world: 72

5.9% of GDP (2016)

country comparison to the world: 42

7.7% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 20

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.4%

male: 95.4%

female: 93.4% (2015 est.)

total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2012)

total: 18 years

male: 17 years

female: 20 years (2014)

total: 50.1%

male: 46.3%

female: 54.9% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

total: 20.4%

male: 21.2%

female: 19.6% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 65

29.1 years (2015 est.)

2.4 beds/1,000 population (2015)

conventional long form: Republic of South Africa

conventional short form: South Africa

former: Union of South Africa

abbreviation: RSA

etymology: self-descriptive name from the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent

conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden

conventional short form: Sweden

local long form: Konungariket Sverige

local short form: Sverige

etymology: name ultimately derives from the North Germanic Svear tribe, which inhabited central Sweden and is first mentioned in the first centuries A.D.

parliamentary republic

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

name: Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)

geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

name: Stockholm

geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland

31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule)

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king of Sweden, marking the abolishment of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden)

Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day

history: several previous; latest drafted 8 May 1996, approved by Constitutional Court 4 December 1996, effective 4 February 1997

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly of Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional sections on human rights and freedoms, non-racism and non-sexism, supremacy of the constitution, suffrage, the multi-party system of democratic government, and amendment procedures requires at least 75% majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council of Provinces, and assent by the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting the Bill of Rights, and those related to provincial boundaries, powers, and authorities requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council, and assent by the president; amended many times, last in 2013 (2017)

history: several previous; latest adopted 1 January 1975

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires simple majority vote in two consecutive parliamentary terms with an intervening general election; passage also requires approval by simple majority vote in a referendum if Parliament approves a motion for a referendum by one-third of its members; amended several times, last in 2014 (changes to the "Instrument of Government") (2016)

mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law

civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Africa

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission of the government

residency requirement for naturalization: 1 year

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown

dual citizenship recognized: no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

18 years of age; universal

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); Deputy President David MABUZA (26 February 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Jacob ZUMA resigned the presidency on 14 February 2018

head of government: President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); deputy president David MABUZA (26 February 2018); note - Jacob ZUMA resigned the presidency on 14 February 2018

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 February 2018 to elect Cyril RAMAPHOSA as acting president to replace ZUMA for the remainder of his term (next to be held in May 2019)

election results: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed

chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)

head of government: Prime Minister Stefan LOFVEN (since 3 October 2014); Deputy Prime Minister Isabella LOVIN (since 25 May 2016)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council of Provinces (90 seats; 10-member delegations appointed by each of the 9 provincial legislatures to serve 5-year terms; note - this council has special powers to protect regional interests, including safeguarding cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) and the National Assembly (400 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: National Council of Provinces and National Assembly - last held on 7 May 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

election results: National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANC 60, DA 20, EFF 7, IFP 1, NFP 1, UDM 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 62.2%, DA 22.2%, EFF 6.4%, IFP 2.4%, NFP 1.6%, UDM 1.0%, other 4.2%; seats by party - ANC 249, DA 89, EFF 25, IFP 10, NFP 6, UDM 4, other 17

description: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 14 September 2014 (next to be held on or before 9 September 2018)

election results: percent of vote by party - SAP 31.0%, M 23.3%, SD 12.9%, MP 6.9%, C 6.1%, V 5.7%, L 5.4%, KD 4.6%, other 4.1%; seats by party - SAP 113, M 84, SD 49, MP 25, C 22, V 21, L 19, KD 16

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Appeals (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 21 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Appeals president and vice president appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), a 23-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes other judges and judicial executives, members of parliament, practicing lawyers and advocates, a teacher of law, and several members designated by the national president; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the national president on the advice of the JSC and hold office until discharged from active service by an Act of Parliament; Constitutional Court chief and deputy chief justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the JSC and with heads of the National Assembly; other Constitutional Court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the chief justice and leaders of the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 12-year non-renewable terms or until age 70

subordinate courts: High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; labor courts; land claims courts

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent

subordinate courts: first instance, appellate, general, and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents

African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE]

African Independent Congress or AIC [Mandla GALO]

African National Congress or ANC [Cyril RAMAPHOSA]

African People's Convention or APC [Themba GODI]

Agang SA [Mike TSHISHONGA]

Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA]

Democratic Alliance or DA [Mmusi MAIMANE]

Economic Freedom Fighters or EFF [Julius Sello MALEMA]

Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter GROENEWALD]

Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI]

National Freedom Party or NFP [Zanele kaMAGWAZA-MSIBI]

Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania or PAC [Luthanado MBINDA]

United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Isaac Sipho MFUNDISI]

United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA]

Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF]

Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Ebba Busch THOR]

Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona) or MP [Isabella LOVIN and Gustav FRIDOLIN]

Left Party (Vansterpartiet) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT]

Liberal Party (Liberalerna) or L [Jan BJORKLUND]

Moderate Party (Moderaterna) or M [Ulf KRISTERSSON]

Swedish Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN]

Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]

Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Sdumo DLAMINI]

South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE]

South African National Civic Organization or SANCO [Richard MDAKANE]

note: COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the African National Congress

Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Naringsliv) [Carola LEMNE]

Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations or SACO [Goran ARRIUS]

Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO [Eva NORDMARK]

Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Karl-Petter THORWALDSSON]

other: environmental groups; media

ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, BRICS, C, CD, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24, G-5, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, NSG, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

chief of mission: Ambassador Mninwa Johannes MAHLANGU (since 23 February 2015)

chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 [1] (202) 232-4400

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

chief of mission: Ambassador Karin Ulrika OLOFSDOTTER (since 17 September 2017)

chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600

FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699

consulate(s) general: New York

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jessica "Jessye" LAPENN (since 16 December 2016)

embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

mailing address: P.O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001

telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000

FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299

consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David E. LINDWALL (since 20 January 2017)

embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750

telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00

FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64

two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era

note: the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's

blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field

springbok (antelope), king protea flower; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white

three crowns, lion; national colors: blue, yellow

name: "National Anthem of South Africa"

lyrics/music: Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers

note: adopted 1994; a combination of "N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica" (God Bless Africa) and "Die Stem van Suid Afrika" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (i.e., the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems

name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)

lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional

note: in use since 1844; also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world.

Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to an estimated 0.7% in 2017. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 27% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability but has been plagued with accusations of mismanagement and corruption and faces an increasingly high debt burden.

South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation while empowering a broader economic base; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas, to increase job growth, and to provide university level-education at affordable prices. Political infighting among South Africa’s ruling party and the volatility of the rand risks economic growth. International investors are concerned about the country’s long-term economic stability; in late 2016, most major international credit ratings agencies downgraded South Africa’s international debt to junk bond status.

Sweden’s small, open, and competitive economy has been thriving and Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden remains outside the euro zone largely out of concern that joining the European Economic and Monetary Union would diminish the country’s sovereignty over its welfare system.

Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of a manufacturing economy that relies heavily on foreign trade. Exports, including engines and other machines, motor vehicles, and telecommunications equipment, account for more than 44% of GDP. Sweden enjoys a current account surplus of about 5% of GDP, which is one of the highest margins in Europe.

GDP grew an estimated 3.3% in 2016 and 2017 driven largely by investment in the construction sector. Economic growth is expected to ease slightly in the coming years as this investment subsides. Global economic growth boosted exports of Swedish manufactures further, helping drive domestic economic growth in 2017. The central bank is keeping an eye on deflationary pressures and is expected to maintain its expansionary monetary policy in 2018. Swedish prices and wages have grown only slightly over the past few years, helping to support the country’s competitiveness.

In the short and medium term Sweden’s economic challenges include keeping rising house prices in check and successfully integrating migrants into the labor market.

$757.3 billion (2017 est.)

$752.1 billion (2016 est.)

$750 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 31

$521.7 billion (2017 est.)

$506 billion (2016 est.)

$490.4 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 39

$344.1 billion (2017 est.)

$541.9 billion (2017 est.)

0.7% (2017 est.)

0.3% (2016 est.)

1.3% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 193

3.1% (2017 est.)

3.2% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 108

$13,400 (2017 est.)

$13,500 (2016 est.)

$13,700 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 115

$51,300 (2017 est.)

$50,600 (2016 est.)

$49,800 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

country comparison to the world: 26

16.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

16.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

16.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 116

29.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

29.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

28.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

household consumption: 59.8%

government consumption: 20.7%

investment in fixed capital: 20%

investment in inventories: -0.4%

exports of goods and services: 26.9%

imports of goods and services: -27% (2017 est.)

household consumption: 44.2%

government consumption: 25.4%

investment in fixed capital: 25.3%

investment in inventories: 0.3%

exports of goods and services: 45.5%

imports of goods and services: -40.7% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 2.8%

industry: 29.7%

services: 67.5% (2017 est.)

agriculture: 1.6%

industry: 33%

services: 65.4% (2017 est.)

corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

0.5% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 184

2.5% (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 115

22.19 million (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 30

5.361 million (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 77

agriculture: 4.6%

industry: 23.5%

services: 71.9% (2014 est.)

agriculture: 2%

industry: 12%

services: 86% (2014 est.)

27.6% (2017 est.)

26.7% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 199

6.6% (2017 est.)

7% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 93

16.6% (2016 est.)

15% (2014 est.)

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.)

lowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 24% (2012 est.)

62.5 (2013 est.)

63.4 (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

24.9 (2013 est.)

25 (1992 est.)

country comparison to the world: 151

revenues: $92.38 billion

expenditures: $103.3 billion (2017 est.)

revenues: $274.8 billion

expenditures: $269.9 billion (2017 est.)

26.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 104

50.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

-3.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 122

0.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 19

50.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 103

39% of GDP (2017 est.)

41.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

country comparison to the world: 138

1 April - 31 March

calendar year

5.4% (2017 est.)

6.3% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 175

1.6% (2017 est.)

1.1% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 73

5.75% (31 December 2014 est.)

7% (31 December 2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 73

-0.5% (31 December 2016 est.)

-0.35% (31 December 2015 est.)

note:: the Discount rate was abolished in 2002, and replaced by a "Reference rate" with no bearing on monetary policy; the rate quoted here is the Reference rate

country comparison to the world: 161

10.4% (31 December 2017 est.)

10.46% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

2% (31 December 2017 est.)

1.85% (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 177

$116.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$117.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 35

$339.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$273.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

$183.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$189.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 44

$395.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$321.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

$237.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$244.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 42

$953.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$748.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

$735.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$933.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$942.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 16

$560.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$470.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$581.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

$-9.81 billion (2017 est.)

$-9.624 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 184

$21.4 billion (2017 est.)

$23.07 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

$78.25 billion (2017 est.)

$75.16 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 40

$169.7 billion (2017 est.)

$151.4 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 30

gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals (2012 est.)

China 9.2%, Germany 7.5%, US 7.4%, Botswana 5%, Namibia 4.8%, Japan 4.6%, India 4.3%, UK 4.2% (2016)

Germany 10.6%, Norway 10.4%, US 7.3%, Denmark 7%, Finland 6.8%, UK 6%, Netherlands 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, France 4.4% (2016)

$80.22 billion (2017 est.)

$74.17 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

$154.8 billion (2017 est.)

$139.9 billion (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 29

machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing

China 18.1%, Germany 11.8%, US 6.7%, India 4.2% (2016)

Germany 18.8%, Netherlands 8.2%, Norway 7.8%, Denmark 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2%, Belgium 4.6%, Finland 4.5%, France 4.1% (2016)

$48.18 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$47.23 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 40

$59.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$59.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 37

$144.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$144.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 43

$939.9 billion (31 March 2016 est.)

$929.4 billion (31 March 2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

$139.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$136.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 40

$405.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$390.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 20

$176.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$172.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 28

$495.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$479.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

rand (ZAR) per US dollar -

13.67 (2017 est.)

14.69 (2016 est.)

14.69 (2015 est.)

12.76 (2014 est.)

10.85 (2013 est.)

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -

8.44 (2017 est.)

8.56 (2016 est.)

8.56 (2015 est.)

8.43 (2014 est.)

6.86 (2013 est.)

population without electricity: 7,700,000

electrification - total population: 85%

electrification - urban areas: 90%

electrification - rural areas: 77% (2013)

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

229.2 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

154.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

207.7 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

125.4 billion kWh (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 30

16.55 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 12

26.02 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 7

10.56 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 24

14.29 billion kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 17

47.28 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

39.67 million kW (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 26

86.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 72

6.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 204

3.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

24.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 5

1.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 144

40.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 50

7.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 82

30% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 13

2,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 89

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 197

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 186

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 194

434,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

393,900 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 23

15 million bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 88

0 bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 196

431,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 37

418,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

660,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 32

320,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 42

78,110 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 48

336,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

164,700 bbl/day (2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 41

220,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 30

1.1 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 66

0 cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 199

8.66 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 57

1.25 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 94

0 cu m (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 178

0 cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 187

3.8 billion cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 38

812 million cu m (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 63

15.01 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 197

482 million Mt (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 14

62 million Mt (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 55

total subscriptions: 4,522,850

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 33

total subscriptions: 3,104,305

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 50

total: 82,412,880

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 150 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 19

total: 12,543,188

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 74

general assessment: the system is the best-developed and most modern in Africa

domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 145 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria

international: country code - 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber-optic submarine cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; the EASSy fiber-optic cable system connects with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet, and broadband penetration

domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels

international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) (2016)

the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) operates 4 TV stations, 3 are free-to-air and 1 is pay TV; e.tv, a private station, is accessible to more than half the population; multiple subscription TV services provide a mix of local and international channels; well-developed mix of public and private radio stations at the national, regional, and local levels; the SABC radio network, state-owned and controlled but nominally independent, operates 18 stations, one for each of the 11 official languages, 4 community stations, and 3 commercial stations; more than 100 community-based stations extend coverage to rural areas (2007)

publicly owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)

.za

.se

total: 29,322,380

percent of population: 54.0% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 26

total: 9,041,427

percent of population: 91.5% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 50

number of registered air carriers: 23

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 216

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,188,887

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 885,277,991 mt-km (2015)

number of registered air carriers: 8

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 219

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 11,623,930

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)

ZS (2016)

SE (2016)

566 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 11

231 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 25

total: 144

over 3,047 m: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 52

914 to 1,523 m: 65

under 914 m: 9 (2013)

total: 149

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 75

914 to 1,523 m: 22

under 914 m: 37 (2013)

total: 422

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 31

914 to 1,523 m: 258

under 914 m: 132 (2013)

total: 82

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 77 (2013)

1 (2013)

2 (2013)

condensate 94 km; gas 1,293 km; oil 992 km; refined products 1,460 km (2013)

gas 1,626 km (2013)

total: 20,986 km

standard gauge: 80 km 1.435-m gauge (80 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 19,756 km 1.065-m gauge (8,271 km electrified)

other: 1,150 km (passenger rail, gauge unspecified, 1,115.5 km electrified) (2014)

country comparison to the world: 13

total: 14,127 km

standard gauge: 14,062 km 1.435-m gauge (12,322 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 65 km 0.891-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2016)

country comparison to the world: 20

total: 747,014 km

paved: 158,952 km

unpaved: 588,062 km (2014)

country comparison to the world: 10

total: 573,134 km (includes 2,050 km of expressways)

paved: 140,100 km

unpaved: 433,034 km

note: includes 98,500 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,600 km of municipal roads (2016)

country comparison to the world: 13

total: 82

by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 1, oil tanker 5, other 74 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 96

total: 368

by type: general cargo 71, oil tanker 23, other 274 (2017)

country comparison to the world: 47

major seaport(s): Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay

container port(s) (TEUs): Durban (2,770,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Mossel Bay

major seaport(s): Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby

LNG terminal(s) (import): Brunnsviksholme, Lysekil

2,052 km (2010)

country comparison to the world: 40

1.07% of GDP (2016)

1.09% of GDP (2015)

1.11% of GDP (2014)

1.12% of GDP (2013)

1.13% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 109

1.1% of GDP (2017)

1.04% of GDP (2016)

1.09% of GDP (2015)

1.14% of GDP (2014)

1.13% of GDP (2013)

country comparison to the world: 110

South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army, South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services (2013)

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2018)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2012)

18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; Swedish citizenship required; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; compulsory military service, abolished in 2010, was reinstated in 2018 (2018)

South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration; the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River

none

refugees (country of origin): 28,695 (Somalia); 17,776 (Ethiopia); 5,394 (Republic of the Congo) (2016); 66,528 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2018)

refugees (country of origin): 96,914 (Syria); 25,968 (Eritrea); 21,693 (Iraq); 22,548 (Somalia); 16,558 (Afghanistan) (2016)

stateless persons: 36,036 (2016); note - the majority of stateless people are from the Middle East and Somalia

transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy