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Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a GDP of $29.6B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 111/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has $8.74B in government debt (29.5% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Africa GDP by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bosnia South Africa
2024 $29,613,572,023 $401,144,998,374
2023 $27,592,361,498 $381,440,724,491
2022 $24,534,663,636 $407,596,043,068
2021 $23,672,712,121 $419,986,284,375
2020 $20,226,038,370 $337,974,655,408
2019 $20,482,608,984 $389,330,032,224
2018 $20,484,058,033 $405,260,723,893
2017 $18,326,373,136 $381,448,814,653
2016 $17,116,926,554 $323,585,509,674
2015 $16,404,348,361 $346,709,790,459
2014 $18,558,734,107 $381,198,869,776
2013 $18,179,109,209 $400,886,013,596
2012 $17,226,735,996 $434,400,545,086
2011 $18,644,233,537 $458,199,494,831
2010 $17,176,315,804 $417,363,822,802
2009 $17,613,949,091 $329,754,060,647
2008 $19,112,796,623 $316,131,258,616
2007 $15,778,734,264 $333,077,117,254
2006 $12,864,841,906 $303,858,675,364
2005 $11,222,796,337 $288,867,217,197
2004 $10,156,541,221 $255,806,908,595
2003 $8,498,894,359 $197,018,965,309
2002 $6,728,220,983 $129,087,556,612
2001 $5,800,615,375 $135,429,905,923
2000 $5,567,772,769 $151,752,757,215
1999 $4,686,256,363 $151,516,957,079
1998 $4,116,774,301 $152,982,984,557
1997 $3,671,909,673 $168,978,057,328
1996 $2,786,045,322 $163,234,925,381
1995 $1,866,572,954 $171,735,933,897
1994 $1,255,802,469 $153,512,712,382
1993 $3,630,668,950 $147,194,747,566
1992 $4,735,044,707 $146,956,150,987
1991 $6,122,959,184 $135,203,698,238
1990 $7,753,478,261 $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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs South Africa by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bosnia South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $9,359 $25,043 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $8,663 $23,376 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $7,656 $21,651 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $7,295 $18,287 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $6,130 $16,370 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $6,122 $16,429 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $6,048 $14,859 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $5,345 $13,627 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $4,929 $12,899 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $4,662 $11,845 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $5,206 $11,168 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $5,035 $10,808 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $4,694 $10,121 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $4,983 $9,761 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $4,506 $9,086 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $4,540 $8,698 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $4,842 $8,587 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $3,931 $7,686 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $3,166 $6,869 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $2,740 $5,956 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $2,453 $5,407 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $2,034 $4,917 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $1,607 $4,665 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $1,388 $4,307 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $1,338 $4,148 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $1,135 $3,875 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $1,007 $3,524 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $914 $3,041 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $719 $2,269 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $502 $1,507 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $337 $1,269 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $930 $1,067 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $1,118 $982 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $1,373 $975 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $1,743 $1,043 $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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

Bosnia and Herzegovina's GDP per capita is $9,359, ranking 87/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 83rd at $25,043, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Bosnia South Africa
Gross domestic product
$29.6B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
111/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,359
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
87/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,043
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
83/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$8.74B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
29.5%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,763
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
107/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,501
2026
$15,431
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$986B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2011
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2011
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.3%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
3116111
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bosnia South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.3% 29.5% 33% 76%
2023 41.7% 29% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 39.4% 31.2% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 40.6% 35.8% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 45.4% 37.2% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 39.9% 32.8% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 40.4% 34.5% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 40% 38.6% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 41.5% 44.9% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 42.7% 46.4% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 46.2% 47.1% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 44.5% 43.8% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 46.9% 43.6% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 46.4% 40.9% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 48.7% 42.2% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 49% 36.4% 28.5% 27%
2008 48.4% 30.3% 26% 24%
2007 45.2% 18.2% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 44.2% 20.6% 24.7% 28%
2005 44.5% 24.9% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 45.6% 25.5% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 47.3% 27.6% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 47.4% 31.1% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 50.2% 35.1% 22.6% 38%
2000 56.2% 34.6% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 57.5% 56% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 54.4% 54.4% 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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government spending was $12.8B, accounting for 43.3% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 29.5% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 76% in South Africa, ranking 159/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bosnia South Africa
2024 -1.88% -5.79%
2023 -1.67% -5.55%
2022 0.15% -4.25%
2021 -0.18% -5.54%
2020 -4.5% -9.62%
2019 1.37% -5.07%
2018 1.63% -3.73%
2017 1.79% -4.02%
2016 0.34% -3.72%
2015 -0.19% -4.37%
2014 -2.87% -3.93%
2013 -1.28% -3.9%
2012 -2.68% -4.04%
2011 -2.73% -3.7%
2010 -4.06% -4.51%
2009 -5.34% -4.67%
2008 -3.82% -0.49%
2007 0.17% 1.22%
2006 2.08% 0.81%
2005 0.74% -0.1%
2004 -0.18% -1.04%
2003 -0.44% -1.59%
2002 -2.99% -0.96%
2001 -3.44% -1.02%
2000 -4.63% -1.38%
1999 -2.78% -2.21%
1998 -0.98% -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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $557M, equivalent to 1.88% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Bosnia and Herzegovina posted an annual deficit equal to 1.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.18% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bosnia South Africa
2024 1.7% 4.36%
2023 6.1% 6.08%
2022 14% 7.04%
2021 2% 4.62%
2020 -1.1% 3.23%
2019 0.6% 4.1%
2018 1.4% 4.51%
2017 0.8% 5.19%
2016 -1.6% 6.6%
2015 -1% 4.52%
2014 -0.9% 6.13%
2013 -0.1% 5.78%
2012 2.1% 5.74%
2011 4% 5%
2010 2.1% 4.07%
2009 -0.4% 7.24%
2008 7.4% 9.91%
2007 1.5% 6.18%
2006 6.1% 3.24%
2005 3.6% 2.06%
2004 0.3% -0.69%
2003 0.5% 5.68%
2002 0.3% 9.49%
2001 3.2% 5.7%
2000 5% 5.34%
1999 2.8% 5.18%
1998 -0.3% 6.88%
1997 5.7% 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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Bosnia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $840K
Weapons & explosives $549K
Raw materials & minerals $196K
Transport & tourism services $114K
Textiles & consumer goods $66K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Metals $31K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $148K
Machinery & equipment $144K
Raw materials & minerals $119K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48K
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Raw agricultural goods $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Bosnia South Africa
Current account balance
-$1.03B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
123/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.47%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$14.8B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$8.36B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$3.74B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.3%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.9%
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.

Bosnia South Africa
Economic freedom 63.1 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 83/197 110/197
Property rights 46.9 48.8
Government integrity 36.8 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 36.1 64.6
Tax burden 93.9 65.4
Government spending 48.4 68.4
Fiscal health 96.2 45.3
Business freedom 65.1 67.9
Labor freedom 62.7 70.8
Monetary freedom 77.5 75.8
Trade freedom 69 68.8
Investment freedom 65 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bosnia South Africa
2026 63.1 58.6
2025 63.5 57.3
2024 62 55.3
2023 62.9 55.7
2022 63.4 56.2
2021 62.9 59.7
2020 62.6 58.8
2019 61.9 58.3
2018 61.4 63
2017 60.2 62.3
2016 58.6 61.9
2015 59 62.6
2014 58.4 62.5
2013 57.3 61.8
2012 57.3 62.7
2011 57.5 62.7
2010 56.2 62.8
2009 53.1 63.8
2008 53.9 63.4
2007 54.4 63.5
2006 55.6 63.7
2005 48.8 62.9
2004 44.7 66.3
2003 40.6 67.1
2002 37.4 64
2001 36.6 63.8
2000 45.1 63.7
1999 29.4 63.3
1998 29.4 64.3
1997 - 63.2
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/south-africa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bosnia and Herzegovina is 63.1, ranking 83/197, 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

Bosnia South Africa
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.53%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$27.8B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,990
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.42B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
79/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$885M
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$119M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.93%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.9%
2015
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.5%
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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/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 (1998–2024, 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.