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Economy of Armenia vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Armenia has a GDP of $26B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 114/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Armenia has $13B in government debt (50% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Armenia vs South Africa GDP by year

Armenia
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Armenia South Africa
2024 $25,955,275,380 $401,144,998,374
2023 $24,185,982,216 $381,440,724,491
2022 $19,513,506,553 $407,596,043,068
2021 $13,878,908,629 $419,986,284,375
2020 $12,641,698,583 $337,974,655,408
2019 $13,619,290,539 $389,330,032,224
2018 $12,457,940,695 $405,260,723,893
2017 $11,527,458,709 $381,448,814,653
2016 $10,546,136,236 $323,585,509,674
2015 $10,553,337,518 $346,709,790,459
2014 $11,609,513,247 $381,198,869,776
2013 $11,121,464,437 $400,886,013,596
2012 $10,619,320,683 $434,400,545,086
2011 $10,142,111,825 $458,199,494,831
2010 $9,260,285,756 $417,363,822,802
2009 $8,647,937,081 $329,754,060,647
2008 $11,662,040,714 $316,131,258,616
2007 $9,206,301,270 $333,077,117,254
2006 $6,384,452,067 $303,858,675,364
2005 $4,900,469,511 $288,867,217,197
2004 $3,576,615,240 $255,806,908,595
2003 $2,807,061,009 $197,018,965,309
2002 $2,376,335,048 $129,087,556,612
2001 $2,118,467,913 $135,429,905,923
2000 $1,911,563,669 $151,752,757,215
1999 $1,845,482,173 $151,516,957,079
1998 $1,893,726,437 $152,982,984,557
1997 $1,639,492,445 $168,978,057,328
1996 $1,596,968,946 $163,234,925,381
1995 $1,468,317,435 $171,735,933,897
1994 $1,315,158,637 $153,512,712,382
1993 $1,201,312,829 $147,194,747,566
1992 $1,272,835,453 $146,956,150,987
1991 $2,069,870,130 $135,203,698,238
1990 $2,256,863,449 $126,048,140,142
1989 - $108,055,624,082
1988 - $103,976,831,871
1987 - $96,535,763,418
1986 - $73,354,771,399
1985 - $64,459,376,087
1984 - $84,870,163,366
1983 - $96,204,110,942
1982 - $85,904,057,409
1981 - $93,141,472,164
1980 - $89,411,864,402
1979 - $63,038,658,089
1978 - $51,607,412,902
1977 - $45,328,411,332
1976 - $41,150,460,288
1975 - $42,906,905,672
1974 - $41,389,186,095
1973 - $33,262,772,008
1972 - $24,515,919,217
1971 - $23,411,076,638
1970 - $21,218,391,513
1969 - $19,256,992,297
1968 - $17,124,793,150
1967 - $15,821,393,671
1966 - $14,211,394,315
1965 - $13,068,994,772
1964 - $11,955,995,218
1963 - $10,854,195,658
1962 - $9,813,996,074
1961 - $9,225,996,310
1960 - $8,748,596,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Armenia vs South Africa by year

Armenia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Armenia South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,556 $22,823 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $8,159 $21,534 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $6,572 $19,161 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $4,685 $15,922 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $4,269 $14,706 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $4,597 $14,976 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $4,196 $12,877 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $3,869 $12,066 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $3,524 $10,570 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $3,512 $9,757 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $3,852 $9,736 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $3,680 $9,455 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $3,512 $8,943 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $3,350 $7,624 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $3,041 $7,095 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $2,821 $6,812 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $3,778 $7,827 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $2,963 $7,137 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $2,042 $6,073 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $1,557 $5,172 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $1,130 $4,377 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $882 $3,836 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $743 $3,282 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $660 $2,844 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $593 $2,531 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $583 $2,377 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $590 $2,239 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $505 $2,040 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $487 $1,922 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $444 $1,767 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $391 $1,591 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $348 $1,440 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $356 $1,492 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $573 $2,477 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $635 $2,760 $3,093 $6,382
1989 - - $2,727 -
1988 - - $2,702 -
1987 - - $2,586 -
1986 - - $2,027 -
1985 - - $1,839 -
1984 - - $2,504 -
1983 - - $2,938 -
1982 - - $2,717 -
1981 - - $3,050 -
1980 - - $3,029 -
1979 - - $2,202 -
1978 - - $1,852 -
1977 - - $1,671 -
1976 - - $1,559 -
1975 - - $1,670 -
1974 - - $1,656 -
1973 - - $1,369 -
1972 - - $1,038 -
1971 - - $1,020 -
1970 - - $952 -
1969 - - $891 -
1968 - - $817 -
1967 - - $779 -
1966 - - $722 -
1965 - - $685 -
1964 - - $646 -
1963 - - $605 -
1962 - - $563 -
1961 - - $546 -
1960 - - $532 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

Armenia's GDP per capita is $8,556, ranking 90/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Armenia ranks 86th at $22,823, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Armenia South Africa
Gross domestic product
$26B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
114/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
5.9%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,556
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
90/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,823
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
86/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$13B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,275
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
89/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,687
2026
$15,431
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.85B
2024
$986B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2023
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.4%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.3%
2023
32.3%
2024
Population
2989841
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Armenia
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Armenia South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29% 50% 33% 76%
2023 26.9% 50.4% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 26.4% 49.3% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 28.7% 63.6% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 30.6% 67.3% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 24.9% 54.2% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 24% 56.1% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 26% 58.1% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 27% 56.5% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 26.3% 48.3% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 24% 43.6% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 23.8% 41.6% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 22.4% 41.2% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 25% 42% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 26.2% 39.7% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 28.6% 40.2% 28.5% 27%
2008 22.2% 16.1% 26% 24%
2007 22.4% 16.1% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 20% 18.7% 24.7% 28%
2005 19.9% 24.4% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 - 26.4% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 - 33% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 - 38.2% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 - 38.1% 22.6% 38%
2000 - 39.6% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 - 39.2% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 - 45.2% 27.1% 45.8%
1997 - 46.5% 27.9% 45.8%
1996 - 40.8% 28.5% 44.3%
1995 - - 27.2% 47%
1994 - - 31.3% 46.4%
1993 - - 29.1% 39.8%
1992 - - 29.8% 34.8%
1991 - - 27.8% 34.7%
1990 - - 28.7% 31.8%
1989 - - 29.6% 33.3%
1988 - - 23.9% 30.6%
1987 - - 28% 33.5%
1986 - - 27.8% 32.5%
1985 - - 26.8% 26.3%
1984 - - 25.2% 23.2%
1983 - - 25.1% 28.7%
1982 - - 23.8% 31.3%
1981 - - 23.3% 27.4%
1980 - - 21.8% 33.3%
1979 - - 26.5% 41.9%
1978 - - 26.8% 44.7%
1977 - - 27.3% 45.3%
1976 - - 23% 35%
1975 - - 21.2% 32.8%
1974 - - 19.1% 33.7%
1973 - - 21% 38.2%
1972 - - 22.9% 41.1%
1971 - - 19.9% 41.1%
1970 - - 20% 43.3%
1969 - - 18.8% 44.4%
1968 - - 19.4% 42.7%
1967 - - 18.8% 41.1%
1966 - - 18.3% 41.4%
1965 - - 18.2% 42.7%
1964 - - 11.3% 30%
1963 - - 15.9% 43.4%
1962 - - 15.9% 45.7%
1961 - - 15.7% 52.8%
1960 - - 16.7% 52.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, Armenia's government spending was $7.53B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50% in Armenia and 76% in South Africa, ranking 108/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Armenia

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Armenia South Africa
2024 -3.69% -5.79%
2023 -2.02% -5.55%
2022 -2.11% -4.25%
2021 -4.58% -5.54%
2020 -5.4% -9.62%
2019 -0.98% -5.07%
2018 -1.75% -3.73%
2017 -4.79% -4.02%
2016 -5.63% -3.72%
2015 -4.84% -4.37%
2014 -1.94% -3.93%
2013 -1.59% -3.9%
2012 -1.49% -4.04%
2011 -2.87% -3.7%
2010 -4.98% -4.51%
2009 -7.69% -4.67%
2008 -1.76% -0.49%
2007 -2.33% 1.22%
2006 -1.95% 0.81%
2005 -1.98% -0.1%
2004 - -1.04%
2003 - -1.59%
2002 - -0.96%
2001 - -1.02%
2000 - -1.38%
1999 - -2.21%
1998 - -2.56%
1997 - -4.08%
1996 - -4.53%
1995 - -4.38%
1994 - -8.09%
1993 - -8.54%
1992 - -7.09%
1991 - -4.85%
1990 - -3.82%
1989 - -8.3%
1988 - -3.29%
1987 - -6.36%
1986 - -5.69%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -5.24%
1983 - -5.3%
1982 - -3.88%
1981 - -3.72%
1980 - -1.91%
1979 - -4.65%
1978 - -5.42%
1977 - -5.52%
1976 - -4.19%
1975 - -2.62%
1974 - -1.5%
1973 - -4.54%
1972 - -5.39%
1971 - -1.96%
1970 - -3.19%
1969 - -3.94%
1968 - -3.38%
1967 - -3.8%
1966 - -3.04%
1965 - -3.15%
1964 - -1.19%
1963 - -2.26%
1962 - -1.4%
1961 - -3.25%
1960 - -2.36%
1959 - -4.4%
1958 - -3.5%
1957 - -2.8%
1956 - -2.12%
1955 - -2.9%
1954 - -2.53%
1953 - -3.72%
1952 - -4.14%
1951 - -0.4%
1950 - -2.33%
1949 - -6.87%
1948 - -6.03%
1947 - -1.82%
1946 - -4.03%
1945 - -7.41%
1944 - -8.94%
1943 - -8.49%
1942 - -9.08%
1941 - -7.3%
1940 - -10.9%
1939 - -2.96%
1938 - -3.91%
1937 - -2.16%
1936 - -2.58%
1935 - -3.2%
1934 - -3.29%
1933 - -3.31%
1932 - -4.72%
1931 - -5.31%
1930 - -5.19%
1929 - -4.41%
1928 - -3.29%
1927 - -3.79%
1926 - -4.76%
1925 - -4.92%
1924 - -4.72%
1923 - -5.53%
1922 - -4.51%
1921 - -5.38%
1920 - -5.52%
1919 - -2.6%
1918 - -3.7%
1917 - -3.52%
1916 - -2.57%
1915 - -10.7%
1914 - -11.6%
1913 - -4.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, Armenia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $958M, equivalent to 3.69% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Armenia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Armenia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.75% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Armenia

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Armenia South Africa
2024 0.4% 4.36%
2023 2% 6.08%
2022 8.8% 7.04%
2021 7.5% 4.62%
2020 1.5% 3.23%
2019 1.5% 4.1%
2018 2.5% 4.51%
2017 0.9% 5.19%
2016 -1.4% 6.6%
2015 3.7% 4.52%
2014 3% 6.13%
2013 5.7% 5.78%
2012 2.5% 5.74%
2011 7.5% 5%
2010 8.2% 4.07%
2009 3.5% 7.24%
2008 9.1% 9.91%
2007 4.4% 6.18%
2006 2.9% 3.24%
2005 0.6% 2.06%
2004 6.9% -0.69%
2003 4.7% 5.68%
2002 1% 9.49%
2001 3.2% 5.7%
2000 -0.8% 5.34%
1999 0.7% 5.18%
1998 8.7% 6.88%
1997 14% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Armenia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.04%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 0.4% in Armenia and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Armenia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $491K
Machinery & equipment $46K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Metals $5K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.74M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $696K
Raw agricultural goods $332K
Machinery & equipment $235K
Animal & marine products $185K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

Armenia South Africa
Current account balance
-$1.19B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
128/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.6%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$4.39B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$5.86B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
76.4%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
73.6%
2024
31.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Armenia South Africa
Economic freedom 67.1 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 58/197 110/197
Property rights 48.6 48.8
Government integrity 51.8 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 31.4 64.6
Tax burden 87.2 65.4
Government spending 77.5 68.4
Fiscal health 84.1 45.3
Business freedom 72.9 67.9
Labor freedom 59.2 70.8
Monetary freedom 77.2 75.8
Trade freedom 75 68.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Armenia
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Armenia South Africa
2026 67.1 58.6
2025 65.4 57.3
2024 64.9 55.3
2023 65.1 55.7
2022 65.3 56.2
2021 71.9 59.7
2020 70.6 58.8
2019 67.7 58.3
2018 68.7 63
2017 70.3 62.3
2016 67 61.9
2015 67.1 62.6
2014 68.9 62.5
2013 69.4 61.8
2012 68.8 62.7
2011 69.7 62.7
2010 69.2 62.8
2009 69.9 63.8
2008 69.9 63.4
2007 68.6 63.5
2006 70.6 63.7
2005 69.8 62.9
2004 70.3 66.3
2003 67.3 67.1
2002 68 64
2001 66.4 63.8
2000 63 63.7
1999 56.4 63.3
1998 49.6 64.3
1997 46.7 63.2
1996 42.2 62.5
1995 - 60.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Armenia is 67.1, ranking 58/197, compared to 58.6 for South Africa, ranking 110/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Armenia South Africa
Services, % of GDP
62%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.81%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$22,020
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.69B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
111/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$74.8M
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$132M
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$56.8M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.26%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.7%
2023
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
14.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/armenia/south-africa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.