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

Updated on by Georank

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a GDP of $32.6B compared to $427B for South Africa, ranking 110/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has $9.76B in government debt (29.9% of GDP), compared to $336B (78.6% 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
2025 $32,599,982,936 $427,184,325,997
2024 $29,737,363,103 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $10,382 - $6,598 -
2024 $9,398 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina's GDP per capita is $10,382, ranking 87/197, compared to $6,598 in South Africa, ranking 109/197. 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
$32.6B
2025
$427B
2025
GDP rank
110/197
2025
40/197
2025
GDP growth
2.13%
2024-2025
1.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$10,382
2025
$6,598
2025
GDP per capita rank
87/197
2025
109/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,043
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
83/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$9.76B
2025
$336B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
29.9%
2025
78.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,108
2025
$5,189
2025
Government debt per person rank
104/185
2025
84/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,479
2026
$4,738
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.4T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
97,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.6%
2021
42.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2021
1.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
44.9%
2025
34.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
3.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7%
2026
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
3114736
65829368

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
2025 44.9% 29.9% 34.2% 78.6%
2024 43.3% 29.4% 33% 76%
2023 41.9% 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 43.8% 43.8% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 47.9% 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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government spending was $14.6B, accounting for 44.9% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $146B, or 34.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 29.9% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 78.6% in South Africa, ranking 156/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bosnia South Africa
2025 -2.41% -5.78%
2024 -1.96% -5.67%
2023 -1.67% -5.6%
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 -2.19% -3.9%
2012 -3.76% -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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $784M, equivalent to 2.41% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $24.7B, or 5.78% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bosnia and Herzegovina posted an annual deficit equal to 1.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.27% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bosnia and Herzegovina

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bosnia South Africa
2025 4% 3.21%
2024 1.7% 4.36%
2023 6.1% 6.08%
2022 14% 7.04%
2021 2% 4.62%
2020 -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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.41%, compared with 5.34% in South Africa. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 3.21% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Bosnia
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $1.19M
Wood & paper products $840K
Raw materials & minerals $196K
Machinery & equipment $116K
Transport & tourism services $114K
Textiles & consumer goods $66K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Metals $20K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $358K
Machinery & equipment $197K
Textiles & consumer goods $157K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $102K
Raw agricultural goods $46K
Chemicals & pharma $29K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Bosnia South Africa
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2025
-$1.81B
2025
Current account balance ranking
117/190
2025
135/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.14%
2025
-0.42%
2025
Goods imports
$16.3B
2025
$104B
2025
Goods exports
$9.5B
2025
$116B
2025
Service imports
$1.42B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Service exports
$3.92B
2025
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.1%
2025
29.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41%
2025
31.4%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
57.7%
2025
63.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.5%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.36%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$31.2B
2025
$406B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,810
2025
$15,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.42B
2024
$76B
2025
Total reserves ranking
83/177
2024
35/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$526M
2025
-$1.85B
2025
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
4.91%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.9%
2015
37.9%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.7%
2025
13.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.