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Economy of Belarus vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belarus has a GDP of $76B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 83/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belarus has $30.3B in government debt (39.9% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Belarus vs South Africa GDP by year

Belarus
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belarus South Africa
2024 $75,961,865,472 $401,144,998,374
2023 $72,478,760,370 $381,440,724,491
2022 $73,775,179,925 $407,596,043,068
2021 $69,673,747,132 $419,986,284,375
2020 $61,371,673,345 $337,974,655,408
2019 $64,410,170,653 $389,330,032,224
2018 $60,031,026,576 $405,260,723,893
2017 $54,725,405,751 $381,448,814,653
2016 $47,723,545,321 $323,585,509,674
2015 $56,454,769,845 $346,709,790,459
2014 $78,813,069,121 $381,198,869,776
2013 $75,527,558,966 $400,886,013,596
2012 $65,685,890,439 $434,400,545,086
2011 $61,762,382,328 $458,199,494,831
2010 $57,231,904,543 $417,363,822,802
2009 $50,873,167,326 $329,754,060,647
2008 $60,752,106,347 $316,131,258,616
2007 $45,275,711,996 $333,077,117,254
2006 $36,961,894,281 $303,858,675,364
2005 $30,210,091,837 $288,867,217,197
2004 $23,141,566,293 $255,806,908,595
2003 $17,825,444,724 $197,018,965,309
2002 $14,594,900,945 $129,087,556,612
2001 $12,354,820,144 $135,429,905,923
2000 $12,736,856,828 $151,752,757,215
1999 $12,138,486,532 $151,516,957,079
1998 $15,222,012,660 $152,982,984,557
1997 $14,128,408,566 $168,978,057,328
1996 $14,500,437,520 $163,234,925,381
1995 $13,972,683,274 $171,735,933,897
1994 $14,931,435,232 $153,512,712,382
1993 $16,275,073,527 $147,194,747,566
1992 $16,939,790,094 $146,956,150,987
1991 $18,404,907,975 $135,203,698,238
1990 $17,389,558,233 $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/belarus/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Belarus vs South Africa by year

Belarus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belarus South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,318 $33,010 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $7,897 $30,834 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $7,995 $28,429 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $7,490 $27,611 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $6,543 $24,872 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $6,838 $22,302 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $6,360 $20,026 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $5,786 $18,414 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $5,040 $17,832 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $5,967 $18,134 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $8,341 $19,038 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $7,998 $19,014 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $6,953 $18,115 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $6,528 $16,563 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $6,035 $15,339 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $5,352 $14,034 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $6,376 $13,886 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $4,735 $12,320 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $3,848 $10,995 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $3,126 $9,637 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $2,378 $8,483 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $1,820 $7,362 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $1,479 $6,697 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $1,244 $6,238 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $1,276 $5,796 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $1,211 $5,331 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $1,511 $5,061 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $1,396 $4,596 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $1,427 $4,039 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $1,371 $3,846 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $1,460 $4,190 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $1,590 $4,641 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $1,658 $4,917 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $1,805 $5,330 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $1,707 $5,220 $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/belarus/south-africa | CC BY

Belarus' GDP per capita is $8,318, ranking 92/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belarus ranks 68th at $33,010, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Belarus South Africa
Gross domestic product
$76B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
83/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
4.01%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,318
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
92/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,010
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
68/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$30.3B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.9%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,318
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,345
2026
$15,431
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.01B
2024
$986B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
20.7%
2020
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
4.5%
2020
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.7%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.04%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
9013835
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belarus
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belarus South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 40.9% 39.9% 33% 76%
2023 40.3% 40.7% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 38% 40.8% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 36.7% 41.2% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 38% 47.5% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 37.4% 41% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 37.8% 47.5% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 39% 53.2% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 40.7% 53.5% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 41.8% 53% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 38.8% 38.8% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 40.8% 36.9% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 38.9% 36.9% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 40.3% 58.2% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 44.3% 36.8% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 51.7% 32.5% 28.5% 27%
2008 60% 20.3% 26% 24%
2007 49.2% 15.8% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 47.2% 12.3% 24.7% 28%
2005 45% 8.12% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 44% 9.22% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 43.5% - 22.6% 31.5%
2002 43.8% - 22.2% 31.8%
2001 42.4% - 22.6% 38%
2000 - - 22.6% 37.9%
1999 - - 26.7% 45.9%
1998 - - 27.1% 45.8%
1997 - - 27.9% 45.8%
1996 - - 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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belarus' government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 40.9% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.9% in Belarus and 76% in South Africa, ranking 133/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belarus

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belarus South Africa
2024 1.05% -5.79%
2023 0.76% -5.55%
2022 -1.98% -4.25%
2021 -0.22% -5.54%
2020 -2.87% -9.62%
2019 0.91% -5.07%
2018 1.8% -3.73%
2017 -0.34% -4.02%
2016 -1.66% -3.72%
2015 -2.96% -4.37%
2014 0.09% -3.93%
2013 -0.98% -3.9%
2012 0.36% -4.04%
2011 -2.81% -3.7%
2010 -4.19% -4.51%
2009 -7.23% -4.67%
2008 -10.9% -0.49%
2007 -7.82% 1.22%
2006 -7.71% 0.81%
2005 -6.71% -0.1%
2004 -7.06% -1.04%
2003 -6.74% -1.59%
2002 -7.81% -0.96%
2001 -4.74% -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/belarus/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, Belarus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $796M, equivalent to 1.05% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Belarus recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Belarus posted an annual deficit equal to 3.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.32% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belarus

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belarus South Africa
2024 5.7% 4.36%
2023 5% 6.08%
2022 15.2% 7.04%
2021 9.5% 4.62%
2020 5.5% 3.23%
2019 5.6% 4.1%
2018 4.9% 4.51%
2017 6% 5.19%
2016 11.8% 6.6%
2015 13.5% 4.52%
2014 18.1% 6.13%
2013 18.3% 5.78%
2012 59.2% 5.74%
2011 53.2% 5%
2010 7.7% 4.07%
2009 13% 7.24%
2008 14.8% 9.91%
2007 8.4% 6.18%
2006 7% 3.24%
2005 10.3% 2.06%
2004 18.1% -0.69%
2003 28.4% 5.68%
2002 42.6% 9.49%
2001 61.1% 5.7%
2000 168.6% 5.34%
1999 293.7% 5.18%
1998 73% 6.88%
1997 63.8% 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/belarus/south-africa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Belarus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 37.2%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 5.7% in Belarus and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Belarus
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.2M
Metals $1.54M
Machinery & equipment $1.02M
IT & IP services $685K
Business & finance services $372K
Textiles & consumer goods $354K
Transport & tourism services $280K
Wood & paper products $55K
Chemicals & pharma $21K
Government & miscellaneous services $5K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.31M
Machinery & equipment $704K
Raw agricultural goods $475K
Raw materials & minerals $123K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $74K
Chemicals & pharma $23K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Metals $6K
Miscellaneous $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Belarus South Africa
Current account balance
-$1.94B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
142/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$44.2B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$39.5B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$6.82B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.9%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.1%
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.

Belarus South Africa
Economic freedom 49.1 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 166/197 110/197
Property rights 20 48.8
Government integrity 28.3 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 11.5 64.6
Tax burden 93.5 65.4
Government spending 52.6 68.4
Fiscal health 96.8 45.3
Business freedom 50.3 67.9
Labor freedom 48 70.8
Monetary freedom 69 75.8
Trade freedom 69.2 68.8
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belarus
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belarus South Africa
2026 49.1 58.6
2025 48.9 57.3
2024 48.4 55.3
2023 51 55.7
2022 53 56.2
2021 61 59.7
2020 61.7 58.8
2019 57.9 58.3
2018 58.1 63
2017 58.6 62.3
2016 48.8 61.9
2015 49.8 62.6
2014 50.1 62.5
2013 48 61.8
2012 49 62.7
2011 47.9 62.7
2010 48.7 62.8
2009 45 63.8
2008 45.3 63.4
2007 47 63.5
2006 47.5 63.7
2005 46.7 62.9
2004 43.1 66.3
2003 39.7 67.1
2002 39 64
2001 38 63.8
2000 41.3 63.7
1999 35.4 63.3
1998 38 64.3
1997 39.8 63.2
1996 38.7 62.5
1995 40.4 60.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belarus is 49.1, ranking 166/197, 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

Belarus South Africa
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.87%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$75.4B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,300
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$8.91B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.57B
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.74B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$170M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7.19%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
3.9%
2022
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/belarus/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 (2000–2024, 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 (2020–2024, 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.