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Economy of Azerbaijan vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Azerbaijan has a GDP of $74.3B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 84/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Azerbaijan has $16.1B in government debt (21.7% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Azerbaijan vs South Africa GDP by year

Azerbaijan
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Azerbaijan South Africa
2024 $74,315,882,353 $401,144,998,374
2023 $72,428,470,588 $381,440,724,491
2022 $78,807,470,588 $407,596,043,068
2021 $54,825,411,765 $419,986,284,375
2020 $42,693,000,000 $337,974,655,408
2019 $48,174,235,294 $389,330,032,224
2018 $47,112,470,052 $405,260,723,893
2017 $40,866,627,352 $381,448,814,653
2016 $37,866,996,883 $323,585,509,674
2015 $53,076,235,355 $346,709,790,459
2014 $75,239,785,452 $381,198,869,776
2013 $74,160,560,124 $400,886,013,596
2012 $69,679,944,504 $434,400,545,086
2011 $65,952,796,428 $458,199,494,831
2010 $52,909,294,792 $417,363,822,802
2009 $44,292,427,185 $329,754,060,647
2008 $48,851,293,785 $316,131,258,616
2007 $33,049,419,431 $333,077,117,254
2006 $20,981,929,498 $303,858,675,364
2005 $13,245,421,881 $288,867,217,197
2004 $8,680,405,741 $255,806,908,595
2003 $7,276,413,079 $197,018,965,309
2002 $6,236,087,738 $129,087,556,612
2001 $5,707,616,204 $135,429,905,923
2000 $5,272,615,723 $151,752,757,215
1999 $4,581,248,567 $151,516,957,079
1998 $4,446,368,571 $152,982,984,557
1997 $3,962,362,387 $168,978,057,328
1996 $3,176,507,376 $163,234,925,381
1995 $2,417,331,193 $171,735,933,897
1994 $1,193,141,110 $153,512,712,382
1993 $1,570,392,598 $147,194,747,566
1992 $444,658,672 $146,956,150,987
1991 $5,344,000,000 $135,203,698,238
1990 $8,884,848,485 $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/azerbaijan/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Azerbaijan vs South Africa by year

Azerbaijan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Azerbaijan South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,284 $25,089 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $7,133 $23,652 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $7,771 $22,552 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $5,408 $20,111 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $4,230 $15,164 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $4,806 $16,675 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $4,740 $15,283 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $4,147 $14,316 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $3,881 $14,536 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $5,501 $15,075 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $7,891 $17,564 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $7,875 $17,268 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $7,496 $15,994 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $7,190 $14,805 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $5,844 $14,930 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $4,950 $14,246 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $5,574 $13,217 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $3,851 $11,974 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $2,473 $9,398 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $1,578 $6,855 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $1,045 $5,248 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $884 $4,718 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $763 $4,230 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $704 $3,835 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $655 $3,439 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $574 $3,052 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $562 $2,827 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $506 $2,565 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $409 $2,407 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $315 $2,357 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $157.1 $2,648 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $209.5 $3,272 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $60.2 $4,220 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $735 $5,412 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $1,238 $5,343 $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/azerbaijan/south-africa | CC BY

Azerbaijan's GDP per capita is $7,284, ranking 101/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Azerbaijan ranks 82nd at $25,089, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Azerbaijan South Africa
Gross domestic product
$74.3B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
84/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
4.07%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,284
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
101/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,089
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
82/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$16.1B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.7%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,579
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,324
2026
$15,431
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.64B
2024
$986B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2005
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
4.8%
2005
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.65%
2022
32.3%
2024
Population
10338778
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Azerbaijan
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Azerbaijan South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.9% 21.7% 33% 76%
2023 32.7% 21.8% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 26.2% 17.3% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 32.2% 26.3% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 40.2% 21.3% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 32.5% 17.7% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 33.2% 18.7% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 35.6% 22.5% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 35.4% 20.6% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 38.7% 18% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 36.4% 8.53% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 37.8% 6.18% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 36.6% 5.83% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 33.7% 4.97% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 32% 4.98% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 34.5% 4.73% 28.5% 27%
2008 31.4% 3.22% 26% 24%
2007 26.1% 4% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 25.3% 5.3% 24.7% 28%
2005 22.5% 6.85% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 24.2% 9.71% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 21.7% 10.7% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 23.1% 11.9% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 16.8% 13% 22.6% 38%
2000 18.2% 13.1% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 19.5% 25.4% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 18.7% 14.3% 27.1% 45.8%
1997 18.5% 11.4% 27.9% 45.8%
1996 19.8% 16.7% 28.5% 44.3%
1995 18.9% 19.2% 27.2% 47%
1994 14.7% 11.7% 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 33.9% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.7% in Azerbaijan and 76% in South Africa, ranking 174/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Azerbaijan

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Azerbaijan South Africa
2024 4.06% -5.79%
2023 7.92% -5.55%
2022 5.96% -4.25%
2021 4.21% -5.54%
2020 -6.44% -9.62%
2019 8.95% -5.07%
2018 5.43% -3.73%
2017 -1.34% -4.02%
2016 -1.17% -3.72%
2015 -4.83% -4.37%
2014 2.74% -3.93%
2013 1.64% -3.9%
2012 3.71% -4.04%
2011 10.9% -3.7%
2010 13.8% -4.51%
2009 5.86% -4.67%
2008 17.2% -0.49%
2007 2.34% 1.22%
2006 0.66% 0.81%
2005 2.74% -0.1%
2004 1.78% -1.04%
2003 1.6% -1.59%
2002 19.4% -0.96%
2001 21.8% -1.02%
2000 0.14% -1.38%
1999 -1.03% -2.21%
1998 1.63% -2.56%
1997 -0.94% -4.08%
1996 -2.25% -4.53%
1995 -1.34% -4.38%
1994 3.21% -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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Azerbaijan's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.01B, equivalent to 4.06% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Azerbaijan recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Azerbaijan posted an annual surplus equal to 4.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.45% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Azerbaijan

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Azerbaijan South Africa
2024 2.21% 4.36%
2023 8.79% 6.08%
2022 13.9% 7.04%
2021 6.65% 4.62%
2020 2.76% 3.23%
2019 2.61% 4.1%
2018 2.27% 4.51%
2017 12.9% 5.19%
2016 12.4% 6.6%
2015 4.03% 4.52%
2014 1.37% 6.13%
2013 2.42% 5.78%
2012 1.07% 5.74%
2011 7.86% 5%
2010 5.73% 4.07%
2009 1.46% 7.24%
2008 20.8% 9.91%
2007 16.7% 6.18%
2006 8.33% 3.24%
2005 9.68% 2.06%
2004 6.71% -0.69%
2003 2.23% 5.68%
2002 2.77% 9.49%
2001 1.55% 5.7%
2000 1.81% 5.34%
1999 -8.53% 5.18%
1998 -0.77% 6.88%
1997 3.67% 8.6%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Azerbaijan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.48%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 2.21% in Azerbaijan and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Azerbaijan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $388K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $66K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Miscellaneous $2K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.23M
Raw agricultural goods $237K
Chemicals & pharma $177K
Textiles & consumer goods $57K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37K
Metals $31K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Animal & marine products $18K
Wood & paper products $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

Azerbaijan South Africa
Current account balance
$4.67B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.29%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$17.2B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$26B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$10.2B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$8.12B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45.9%
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.

Azerbaijan South Africa
Economic freedom 64.3 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 74/197 110/197
Property rights 53.3 48.8
Government integrity 23.6 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 16.5 64.6
Tax burden 87.9 65.4
Government spending 71.3 68.4
Fiscal health 99.1 45.3
Business freedom 71.2 67.9
Labor freedom 56.9 70.8
Monetary freedom 76 75.8
Trade freedom 75.8 68.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Azerbaijan
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Azerbaijan South Africa
2026 64.3 58.6
2025 62.5 57.3
2024 61.6 55.3
2023 61.4 55.7
2022 61.6 56.2
2021 70.1 59.7
2020 69.3 58.8
2019 65.4 58.3
2018 64.3 63
2017 63.6 62.3
2016 60.2 61.9
2015 61 62.6
2014 61.3 62.5
2013 59.7 61.8
2012 58.9 62.7
2011 59.7 62.7
2010 58.8 62.8
2009 58 63.8
2008 55.3 63.4
2007 54.6 63.5
2006 53.2 63.7
2005 54.4 62.9
2004 53.4 66.3
2003 54.1 67.1
2002 53.3 64
2001 50.3 63.8
2000 49.8 63.7
1999 47.4 63.3
1998 43.1 64.3
1997 34 63.2
1996 30 62.5
1995 - 60.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Azerbaijan is 64.3, ranking 74/197, 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

Azerbaijan South Africa
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.66%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$74.8B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,220
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
72/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$511M
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$231M
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$742M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.83%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
6%
2012
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
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/azerbaijan/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 (1994–2024, 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.