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Economy of Czech Republic vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Czech Republic has a GDP of $347B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 44/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Czech Republic has $150B in government debt (43.3% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Czech Republic vs South Africa GDP by year

Czech Republic
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Czech Republic South Africa
2024 $347,034,062,928 $401,144,998,374
2023 $345,059,295,660 $381,440,724,491
2022 $301,831,228,326 $407,596,043,068
2021 $290,972,714,482 $419,986,284,375
2020 $251,109,660,603 $337,974,655,408
2019 $256,794,209,029 $389,330,032,224
2018 $251,992,360,762 $405,260,723,893
2017 $221,563,575,696 $381,448,814,653
2016 $198,160,659,304 $323,585,509,674
2015 $189,107,698,562 $346,709,790,459
2014 $210,911,285,078 $381,198,869,776
2013 $213,024,360,541 $400,886,013,596
2012 $210,363,223,088 $434,400,545,086
2011 $231,429,378,717 $458,199,494,831
2010 $211,168,667,286 $417,363,822,802
2009 $206,971,882,705 $329,754,060,647
2008 $236,506,264,754 $316,131,258,616
2007 $190,040,702,287 $333,077,117,254
2006 $156,236,258,387 $303,858,675,364
2005 $137,264,185,596 $288,867,217,197
2004 $120,147,899,984 $255,806,908,595
2003 $100,435,924,705 $197,018,965,309
2002 $82,607,869,610 $129,087,556,612
2001 $68,135,304,464 $135,429,905,923
2000 $62,175,642,238 $151,752,757,215
1999 $65,586,562,605 $151,516,957,079
1998 $67,187,217,328 $152,982,984,557
1997 $62,539,765,163 $168,978,057,328
1996 $67,804,105,330 $163,234,925,381
1995 $60,572,381,311 $171,735,933,897
1994 $48,188,478,339 $153,512,712,382
1993 $41,155,654,032 $147,194,747,566
1992 $35,051,065,440 $146,956,150,987
1991 $30,071,014,282 $135,203,698,238
1990 $41,016,881,802 $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/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Czech Republic vs South Africa by year

Czech Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Czech Republic South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $31,823 $57,285 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $31,762 $55,761 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $28,282 $52,947 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $27,696 $47,796 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $23,473 $44,839 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $24,063 $45,614 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $23,706 $41,638 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $20,913 $39,346 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $18,754 $36,445 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $17,932 $34,093 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $20,038 $32,743 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $20,260 $31,013 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $20,014 $29,466 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $22,049 $29,237 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $20,160 $28,154 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $19,817 $27,713 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $22,775 $27,938 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $18,453 $26,268 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $15,259 $23,914 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $13,442 $22,115 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $11,783 $20,988 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $9,852 $19,604 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $8,101 $18,344 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $6,669 $17,709 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $6,063 $16,332 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $6,378 $15,494 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $6,527 $15,064 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $6,069 $14,911 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $6,573 $14,781 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $5,865 $13,957 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $4,663 $12,862 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $3,984 $12,242 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $3,397 $11,963 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $2,917 $11,768 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $3,969 $12,848 $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/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

The Czech Republic's GDP per capita is $31,823, ranking 39/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Czech Republic ranks 35th at $57,285, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Czech Republic South Africa
Gross domestic product
$347B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
44/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
1.23%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$31,823
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
39/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,285
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
35/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$150B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.3%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,792
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
43/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,139
2026
$15,431
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$34.6B
2024
$986B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
90,595
2025
Number of billionaires
11
2025
7
2025
Income share by richest 10%
21.5%
2023
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2023
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.8%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.44%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.6%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
10649126
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Czech Republic
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Czech Republic South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.8% 43.3% 33% 76%
2023 43.7% 42.2% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 43% 42.5% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 45% 40.7% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 46.3% 36.9% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 40.4% 29.6% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 40.1% 31.7% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 38.5% 33.8% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 39.4% 36.2% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 41.7% 39.5% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 42.3% 41.5% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 42.4% 44.1% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 44.4% 43.8% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 42.8% 39.4% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 43.2% 36.7% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 44.5% 33.4% 28.5% 27%
2008 40.9% 28.2% 26% 24%
2007 40.5% 27.3% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 41.5% 27.6% 24.7% 28%
2005 42.3% 27.7% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 42.2% 28.3% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 49% 28.1% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 44.4% 25.7% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 43.1% 22.6% 22.6% 38%
2000 40.6% 16.9% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 40.9% 15.1% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 41.6% 13.9% 27.1% 45.8%
1997 41.3% 12.1% 27.9% 45.8%
1996 41.4% 11.5% 28.5% 44.3%
1995 52.8% 13.5% 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, the Czech Republic's government spending was $148B, accounting for 42.8% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.3% in the Czech Republic and 76% in South Africa, ranking 124/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Czech Republic

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Czech Republic South Africa
2024 -1.99% -5.79%
2023 -3.73% -5.55%
2022 -3.07% -4.25%
2021 -4.95% -5.54%
2020 -5.65% -9.62%
2019 0.28% -5.07%
2018 0.88% -3.73%
2017 1.46% -4.02%
2016 0.68% -3.72%
2015 -0.67% -4.37%
2014 -2.09% -3.93%
2013 -1.3% -3.9%
2012 -3.92% -4.04%
2011 -2.71% -3.7%
2010 -4.14% -4.51%
2009 -5.46% -4.67%
2008 -2% -0.49%
2007 -0.68% 1.22%
2006 -2.19% 0.81%
2005 -3.06% -0.1%
2004 -2.4% -1.04%
2003 -6.87% -1.59%
2002 -6.34% -0.96%
2001 -5.76% -1.02%
2000 -3.55% -1.38%
1999 -3.08% -2.21%
1998 -4.14% -2.56%
1997 -3.14% -4.08%
1996 -2.98% -4.53%
1995 -12.3% -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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

In 2024, the Czech Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.92B, equivalent to 1.99% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, the Czech Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, the Czech Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 3.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.29% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Czech Republic

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Czech Republic South Africa
2024 2.44% 4.36%
2023 10.7% 6.08%
2022 15.1% 7.04%
2021 3.84% 4.62%
2020 3.16% 3.23%
2019 2.85% 4.1%
2018 2.15% 4.51%
2017 2.45% 5.19%
2016 0.68% 6.6%
2015 0.31% 4.52%
2014 0.34% 6.13%
2013 1.44% 5.78%
2012 3.29% 5.74%
2011 1.92% 5%
2010 1.47% 4.07%
2009 1.02% 7.24%
2008 6.36% 9.91%
2007 2.85% 6.18%
2006 2.53% 3.24%
2005 1.86% 2.06%
2004 2.76% -0.69%
2003 0.12% 5.68%
2002 1.9% 9.49%
2001 4.66% 5.7%
2000 3.78% 5.34%
1999 2.14% 5.18%
1998 10.7% 6.88%
1997 8.6% 8.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Czech Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.62%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 2.44% in the Czech Republic and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Czech Republic
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $364M
Textiles & consumer goods $43.6M
IT & IP services $40.5M
Chemicals & pharma $36.1M
Raw materials & minerals $21M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21M
Metals $15.4M
Transport & tourism services $13.1M
Wood & paper products $13M
Weapons & explosives $12.7M
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $282M
Chemicals & pharma $38.4M
Metals $20.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.69M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $959K
Raw materials & minerals $824K
Precious metals & jewellery $438K
Raw agricultural goods $323K
Miscellaneous $82K
Wood & paper products $64K

Balance of trade

Czech Republic South Africa
Current account balance
$6.05B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
31/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.74%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$179B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$197B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$38B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$42.5B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.9%
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.

Czech Republic South Africa
Economic freedom 73.2 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 25/197 110/197
Property rights 89.8 48.8
Government integrity 64.7 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 92.1 64.6
Tax burden 78.8 65.4
Government spending 44.2 68.4
Fiscal health 82.5 45.3
Business freedom 76.8 67.9
Labor freedom 55.1 70.8
Monetary freedom 75 75.8
Trade freedom 79.4 68.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Czech Republic
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Czech Republic South Africa
2026 73.2 58.6
2025 72.9 57.3
2024 70.2 55.3
2023 71.9 55.7
2022 74.4 56.2
2021 73.8 59.7
2020 74.8 58.8
2019 73.7 58.3
2018 74.2 63
2017 73.3 62.3
2016 73.2 61.9
2015 72.5 62.6
2014 72.2 62.5
2013 70.9 61.8
2012 69.9 62.7
2011 70.4 62.7
2010 69.8 62.8
2009 69.4 63.8
2008 68.1 63.4
2007 67.4 63.5
2006 66.4 63.7
2005 64.6 62.9
2004 67 66.3
2003 67.5 67.1
2002 66.5 64
2001 70.2 63.8
2000 68.6 63.7
1999 69.7 63.3
1998 68.4 64.3
1997 68.8 63.2
1996 68.1 62.5
1995 67.8 60.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/czech-republic/south-africa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Czech Republic is 73.2, ranking 25/197, 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

Czech Republic South Africa
Services, % of GDP
60.2%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.9%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$322B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$54,800
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$146B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
22/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.1B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$11.2B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
10.2%
2021
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
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/czech-republic/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 (1995–2024, 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.