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Economy of Cyprus vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cyprus has a GDP of $41.2B compared to $427B for South Africa, ranking 103/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cyprus has $22.8B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $336B (78.6% of GDP) in South Africa.

Cyprus vs South Africa GDP by year

Cyprus
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cyprus South Africa
2025 $41,225,787,247 $427,184,325,997
2024 $37,634,551,821 $401,144,998,374
2023 $35,075,440,603 $381,440,724,491
2022 $31,218,047,044 $407,596,043,068
2021 $30,372,637,513 $419,986,284,375
2020 $25,555,082,267 $337,974,655,408
2019 $26,196,660,680 $389,330,032,224
2018 $25,754,011,492 $405,260,723,893
2017 $22,946,583,376 $381,448,814,653
2016 $21,046,452,117 $323,585,509,674
2015 $19,909,269,065 $346,709,790,459
2014 $23,225,912,183 $381,198,869,776
2013 $23,959,708,956 $400,886,013,596
2012 $25,047,433,100 $434,400,545,086
2011 $27,641,553,201 $458,199,494,831
2010 $25,799,940,416 $417,363,822,802
2009 $26,048,190,775 $329,754,060,647
2008 $27,958,384,913 $316,131,258,616
2007 $23,968,727,074 $333,077,117,254
2006 $20,072,754,987 $303,858,675,364
2005 $18,433,412,511 $288,867,217,197
2004 $17,320,551,250 $255,806,908,595
2003 $14,547,329,558 $197,018,965,309
2002 $11,420,228,846 $129,087,556,612
2001 $10,397,898,907 $135,429,905,923
2000 $9,985,847,314 $151,752,757,215
1999 $10,497,907,228 $151,516,957,079
1998 $10,248,618,778 $152,982,984,557
1997 $9,547,816,420 $168,978,057,328
1996 $10,011,914,680 $163,234,925,381
1995 $9,933,137,128 $171,735,933,897
1994 $7,425,703,929 $153,512,712,382
1993 $6,590,291,048 $147,194,747,566
1992 $6,912,150,456 $146,956,150,987
1991 $5,770,197,348 $135,203,698,238
1990 $5,591,130,218 $126,048,140,142
1989 $4,563,482,604 $108,055,624,082
1988 $4,278,792,597 $103,976,831,871
1987 $3,704,813,886 $96,535,763,418
1986 $3,090,734,463 $73,354,771,399
1985 $2,430,411,900 $64,459,376,087
1984 $2,278,248,953 $84,870,163,366
1983 $2,160,364,071 $96,204,110,942
1982 $2,159,242,417 $85,904,057,409
1981 $2,087,496,374 $93,141,472,164
1980 $2,154,311,277 $89,411,864,402
1979 $1,288,699,776 $63,038,658,089
1978 $964,024,364 $51,607,412,902
1977 $734,876,021 $45,328,411,332
1976 $576,090,074 $41,150,460,288
1975 $489,912,574 $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/cyprus/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cyprus vs South Africa by year

Cyprus
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cyprus South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $30,075 - $6,598 -
2024 $27,707 $63,007 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $26,079 $59,875 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $23,448 $55,876 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $23,057 $47,633 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $19,624 $42,569 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $20,360 $44,394 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $20,267 $40,262 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $18,295 $37,768 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $17,013 $35,247 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $16,326 $31,380 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $19,326 $29,893 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $20,238 $30,416 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $21,493 $31,924 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $24,110 $33,406 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $22,876 $33,502 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $23,480 $33,901 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $25,626 $34,830 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $22,344 $32,888 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $19,037 $30,009 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $17,790 $27,763 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $17,016 $25,942 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $14,553 $24,278 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $11,636 $23,556 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $10,785 $22,866 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $10,537 $21,296 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $11,273 $19,663 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $11,206 $18,760 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $10,637 $17,781 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $11,373 $17,320 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $11,514 $17,096 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $8,791 $15,735 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $7,978 $14,852 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $8,530 $14,759 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $7,222 $13,546 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $7,092 $13,348 $3,093 $6,382
1989 $5,870 - $2,727 -
1988 $5,584 - $2,702 -
1987 $4,908 - $2,586 -
1986 $4,159 - $2,027 -
1985 $3,324 - $1,839 -
1984 $3,167 - $2,504 -
1983 $3,055 - $2,938 -
1982 $3,100 - $2,717 -
1981 $3,030 - $3,050 -
1980 $3,154 - $3,029 -
1979 $1,902 - $2,202 -
1978 $1,434 - $1,852 -
1977 $1,102 - $1,671 -
1976 $870 - $1,559 -
1975 $743 - $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/cyprus/south-africa | CC BY

Cyprus' GDP per capita is $30,075, ranking 45/197, compared to $6,598 in South Africa, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cyprus ranks 29th at $63,007, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Cyprus South Africa
Gross domestic product
$41.2B
2025
$427B
2025
GDP rank
103/197
2025
40/197
2025
GDP growth
3.77%
2024-2025
1.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$30,075
2025
$6,598
2025
GDP per capita rank
45/197
2025
109/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$63,007
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
29/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2025
$336B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2025
78.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$16,632
2025
$5,189
2025
Government debt per person rank
40/185
2025
84/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,626
2026
$4,738
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.9B
2025
$1.4T
2025
Number of millionaires
24,000
2026
97,000
2026
Number of billionaires
10
2026
7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2023
42.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
1.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
34.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.13%
2024-2025
3.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
32.3%
2024
Population
1388591
65829368

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cyprus
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cyprus South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 40.4% 55.3% 34.2% 78.6%
2024 38.3% 62.8% 33% 76%
2023 40.6% 71.1% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 37.7% 80.3% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 42.7% 96.5% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 45.9% 113.6% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 40.3% 92.3% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 44.3% 100.7% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 38.4% 96.4% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 39.6% 106.8% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 43% 111.6% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 52.1% 113% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 42.1% 102.7% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 41.9% 79.2% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 42.1% 64.8% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 41.7% 55.3% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 41.9% 52.8% 28.5% 27%
2008 38.2% 44.1% 26% 24%
2007 37.6% 53.1% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 39.1% 59% 24.7% 28%
2005 39.7% 64% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 38.6% 64.7% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 40.4% 63% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 37.4% 61% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 35.7% 57.5% 22.6% 38%
2000 35% 56% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 34.3% 55.7% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 34.4% 55% 27.1% 45.8%
1997 34.2% 53.5% 27.9% 45.8%
1996 32.4% 48.8% 28.5% 44.3%
1995 30.4% 46.7% 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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cyprus' government spending was $16.7B, accounting for 40.4% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $146B, or 34.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Cyprus and 78.6% in South Africa, ranking 89/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cyprus

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cyprus South Africa
2025 2.99% -5.78%
2024 4.14% -5.67%
2023 1.71% -5.6%
2022 2.69% -4.25%
2021 -1.59% -5.54%
2020 -5.57% -9.62%
2019 1.03% -5.07%
2018 -3.36% -3.73%
2017 2.13% -4.02%
2016 0.45% -3.72%
2015 -0.77% -4.37%
2014 -8.8% -3.93%
2013 -5.16% -3.9%
2012 -5.55% -4.04%
2011 -5.65% -3.7%
2010 -4.68% -4.51%
2009 -5.43% -4.67%
2008 0.87% -0.49%
2007 3.23% 1.22%
2006 -1.04% 0.81%
2005 -2.22% -0.1%
2004 -3.71% -1.04%
2003 -5.91% -1.59%
2002 -4.13% -0.96%
2001 -2.11% -1.02%
2000 -2.24% -1.38%
1999 -4.05% -2.21%
1998 -3.85% -2.56%
1997 -4.82% -4.08%
1996 -2.96% -4.53%
1995 -0.71% -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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cyprus' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.23B, equivalent to 2.99% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $24.7B, or 5.78% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Cyprus recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Cyprus posted an annual deficit equal to 2.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.37% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cyprus

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cyprus South Africa
2025 0.13% 3.21%
2024 1.8% 4.36%
2023 3.54% 6.08%
2022 8.4% 7.04%
2021 2.45% 4.62%
2020 -0.64% 3.23%
2019 0.25% 4.1%
2018 1.44% 4.51%
2017 0.53% 5.19%
2016 -1.43% 6.6%
2015 -2.1% 4.52%
2014 -1.35% 6.13%
2013 -0.4% 5.78%
2012 2.39% 5.74%
2011 3.29% 5%
2010 2.43% 4.07%
2009 0.33% 7.24%
2008 4.67% 9.91%
2007 2.37% 6.18%
2006 2.3% 3.24%
2005 2.56% 2.06%
2004 2.29% -0.69%
2003 4.14% 5.68%
2002 2.8% 9.49%
2001 1.97% 5.7%
2000 4.14% 5.34%
1999 1.63% 5.18%
1998 2.23% 6.88%
1997 3.61% 8.6%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Cyprus has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.92%, compared with 5.34% in South Africa. In 2025, inflation was 0.13% in Cyprus and 3.21% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Cyprus
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $38.4M
Transport & tourism services $35.9M
IT & IP services $5.74M
Chemicals & pharma $1.69M
Machinery & equipment $1.09M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $924K
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Miscellaneous $58K
Raw materials & minerals $44K
Precious metals & jewellery $43K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $15.6M
Raw materials & minerals $5.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.22M
Animal & marine products $858K
Raw agricultural goods $786K
Textiles & consumer goods $563K
Chemicals & pharma $249K
Wood & paper products $237K
Metals $191K
Precious metals & jewellery $42K

Balance of trade

Cyprus South Africa
Current account balance
-$2.59B
2025
-$1.81B
2025
Current account balance ranking
149/190
2025
135/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.29%
2025
-0.42%
2025
Goods imports
$12.6B
2025
$104B
2025
Goods exports
$4.62B
2025
$116B
2025
Service imports
$25.3B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Service exports
$35.7B
2025
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
91.9%
2025
29.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
97.6%
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.

Cyprus South Africa
Economic freedom 74.1 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 21/197 110/197
Property rights 85.1 48.8
Government integrity 59.7 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 89.8 64.6
Tax burden 80.8 65.4
Government spending 52.1 68.4
Fiscal health 91.5 45.3
Business freedom 82.3 67.9
Labor freedom 60.3 70.8
Monetary freedom 78.7 75.8
Trade freedom 79.4 68.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cyprus
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cyprus South Africa
2026 74.1 58.6
2025 73.2 57.3
2024 72.2 55.3
2023 72.3 55.7
2022 72.9 56.2
2021 71.4 59.7
2020 70.1 58.8
2019 68.1 58.3
2018 67.8 63
2017 67.9 62.3
2016 68.7 61.9
2015 67.9 62.6
2014 67.6 62.5
2013 69 61.8
2012 71.8 62.7
2011 73.3 62.7
2010 70.9 62.8
2009 70.8 63.8
2008 71.3 63.4
2007 71.7 63.5
2006 71.8 63.7
2005 71.9 62.9
2004 74.1 66.3
2003 73.3 67.1
2002 73 64
2001 71 63.8
2000 67.2 63.7
1999 67.8 63.3
1998 68.2 64.3
1997 67.9 63.2
1996 67.7 62.5
1995 - 60.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cyprus is 74.1, ranking 21/197, 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

Cyprus South Africa
Services, % of GDP
76.8%
2025
63.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.12%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35.6B
2025
$406B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$57,390
2025
$15,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.95B
2025
$76B
2025
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2025
35/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.59B
2025
-$1.85B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$50.4B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$55.9B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.9%
2021
37.9%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
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/cyprus/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 (1995–2025, 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 (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.