Skip to content

Economy of Libya vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Libya has a GDP of $48.1B compared to $427B for South Africa, ranking 100/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs South Africa GDP by year

Libya
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya South Africa
2025 $48,098,909,614 $427,184,325,997
2024 $48,487,151,215 $401,144,998,374
2023 $44,027,664,915 $381,440,724,491
2022 $43,246,297,922 $407,596,043,068
2021 $35,217,995,647 $419,986,284,375
2020 $46,854,285,441 $337,974,655,408
2019 $69,254,496,472 $389,330,032,224
2018 $76,686,029,772 $405,260,723,893
2017 $67,157,452,182 $381,448,814,653
2016 $49,912,073,701 $323,585,509,674
2015 $48,717,501,321 $346,709,790,459
2014 $57,372,355,592 $381,198,869,776
2013 $75,351,107,029 $400,886,013,596
2012 $92,540,938,129 $434,400,545,086
2011 $48,169,263,294 $458,199,494,831
2010 $75,380,825,062 $417,363,822,802
2009 $60,808,562,033 $329,754,060,647
2008 $86,710,767,415 $316,131,258,616
2007 $68,032,978,391 $333,077,117,254
2006 $60,094,231,607 $303,858,675,364
2005 $47,334,691,241 $288,867,217,197
2004 $33,122,307,692 $255,806,908,595
2003 $26,265,625,000 $197,018,965,309
2002 $20,481,889,764 $129,087,556,612
2001 $34,112,093,927 $135,429,905,923
2000 $38,270,954,138 $151,752,757,215
1999 $35,975,860,857 $151,516,957,079
1998 $27,251,301,398 $152,982,984,557
1997 $30,700,897,875 $168,978,057,328
1996 $27,884,615,385 $163,234,925,381
1995 $25,541,379,187 $171,735,933,897
1994 $28,610,549,763 $153,512,712,382
1993 $30,660,051,911 $147,194,747,566
1992 $33,887,047,909 $146,956,150,987
1991 $31,991,821,265 $135,203,698,238
1990 $28,904,183,602 $126,048,140,142
1989 $25,156,707,899 $108,055,624,082
1988 $24,308,959,591 $103,976,831,871
1987 $26,697,659,335 $96,535,763,418
1986 $24,180,400,959 $73,354,771,399
1985 $31,530,566,324 $64,459,376,087
1984 $29,476,109,153 $84,870,163,366
1983 $33,200,520,140 $96,204,110,942
1982 $33,760,146,991 $85,904,057,409
1981 $36,374,353,880 $93,141,472,164
1980 $40,953,924,949 $89,411,864,402
1979 $30,536,429,497 $63,038,658,089
1978 $22,136,422,643 $51,607,412,902
1977 $22,428,297,108 $45,328,411,332
1976 $19,096,943,017 $41,150,460,288
1975 $14,710,912,458 $42,906,905,672
1974 $15,112,543,717 $41,389,186,095
1973 $8,625,889,430 $33,262,772,008
1972 $6,299,395,544 $24,515,919,217
1971 $5,260,185,125 $23,411,076,638
1970 $4,601,649,451 $21,218,391,513
1969 $4,380,987,481 $19,256,992,297
1968 $3,850,623,095 $17,124,793,150
1967 $2,726,986,913 $15,821,393,671
1966 $2,312,438,536 $14,211,394,315
1965 $1,804,979,680 $13,068,994,772
1964 $1,341,395,421 $11,955,995,218
1963 $892,327,911 $10,854,195,658
1962 $619,725,785 $9,813,996,074
1961 $443,905,612 $9,225,996,310
1960 $401,644,249 $8,748,596,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs South Africa by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,449 - $6,598 -
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $3,093 $6,382
1989 $5,793 - $2,727 -
1988 $5,736 - $2,702 -
1987 $6,465 - $2,586 -
1986 $6,019 - $2,027 -
1985 $8,087 - $1,839 -
1984 $7,811 - $2,504 -
1983 $8,927 - $2,938 -
1982 $9,064 - $2,717 -
1981 $10,044 - $3,050 -
1980 $11,960 - $3,029 -
1979 $9,443 - $2,202 -
1978 $7,252 - $1,852 -
1977 $7,783 - $1,671 -
1976 $7,018 - $1,559 -
1975 $5,721 - $1,670 -
1974 $6,214 - $1,656 -
1973 $3,727 - $1,369 -
1972 $2,830 - $1,038 -
1971 $2,443 - $1,020 -
1970 $2,210 - $952 -
1969 $2,175 - $891 -
1968 $1,972 - $817 -
1967 $1,437 - $779 -
1966 $1,251 - $722 -
1965 $1,001 - $685 -
1964 $765 - $646 -
1963 $528 - $605 -
1962 $382 - $563 -
1961 $285.3 - $546 -
1960 $269 - $532 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,449, ranking 112/197, compared to $6,598 in South Africa, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Libya South Africa
Gross domestic product
$48.1B
2025
$427B
2025
GDP rank
100/197
2025
40/197
2025
GDP growth
13.4%
2024-2025
1.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,449
2025
$6,598
2025
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2025
109/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$336B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
78.6%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$5,189
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a
84/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,426
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% n/a
42.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
102.3%
2025
34.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.84%
2024-2025
3.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7%
2026
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
32.3%
2024
Population
7580693
65829368

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya South Africa
2025 -31.1% -5.78%
2024 -25.9% -5.67%
2023 -7.16% -5.6%
2022 23.6% -4.25%
2021 14.8% -5.54%
2020 -22.3% -9.62%
2019 11.9% -5.07%
2018 9.39% -3.73%
2017 -11.1% -4.02%
2016 -29.3% -3.72%
2015 -28.5% -4.37%
2014 -30.5% -3.93%
2013 -16.3% -3.9%
2012 24.6% -4.04%
2011 -11.5% -3.7%
2010 11.5% -4.51%
2009 -5.46% -4.67%
2008 27.7% -0.49%
2007 28.4% 1.22%
2006 29.1% 0.81%
2005 30.4% -0.1%
2004 11.3% -1.04%
2003 6.17% -1.59%
2002 6.99% -0.96%
2001 0.07% -1.02%
2000 13.6% -1.38%
1999 5.69% -2.21%
1998 -2.36% -2.56%
1997 -2.1% -4.08%
1996 11.3% -4.53%
1995 3.8% -4.38%
1994 -2.67% -8.09%
1993 -5.77% -8.54%
1992 0.11% -7.09%
1991 8.41% -4.85%
1990 3.36% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $14.9B, equivalent to 31.1% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $24.7B, or 5.78% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 1.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.8% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya South Africa
2025 1.84% 3.21%
2024 2.13% 4.36%
2023 2.37% 6.08%
2022 4.51% 7.04%
2021 2.87% 4.62%
2020 1.45% 3.23%
2019 -2.16% 4.1%
2018 13.2% 4.51%
2017 25.8% 5.19%
2016 25.9% 6.6%
2015 10.4% 4.52%
2014 2.43% 6.13%
2013 2.61% 5.78%
2012 6.06% 5.74%
2011 15.5% 5%
2010 2.8% 4.07%
2009 2.46% 7.24%
2008 10.4% 9.91%
2007 6.25% 6.18%
2006 1.46% 3.24%
2005 2.65% 2.06%
2004 -2.2% -0.69%
2003 -2.19% 5.68%
2002 -9.8% 9.49%
2001 -8.81% 5.7%
2000 -2.9% 5.34%
1999 2.65% 5.18%
1998 3.71% 6.88%
1997 3.55% 8.6%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.3%, compared with 5.34% in South Africa. In 2025, inflation was 1.84% in Libya and 3.21% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.59M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.24M
Raw agricultural goods $1.16M
Animal & marine products $966K
Raw materials & minerals $632K
Textiles & consumer goods $211K
Chemicals & pharma $181K
Wood & paper products $12K
Metals $10K
Weapons & explosives $1K

Balance of trade

Libya South Africa
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
-$1.81B
2025
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2023
135/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
-0.42%
2025
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$104B
2025
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$116B
2025
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$21.8B
2025
Service exports
$642M
2023
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.9%
2025
29.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.7%
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.

Libya South Africa
Economic freedom 35.9 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 110/197
Property rights 6.3 48.8
Government integrity 10.3 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 64.6
Tax burden 95 65.4
Government spending 0 68.4
Fiscal health 19.9 45.3
Business freedom 32.4 67.9
Labor freedom 48.2 70.8
Monetary freedom 75.2 75.8
Trade freedom 80 68.8
Investment freedom 5 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya South Africa
2026 - 58.6
2025 - 57.3
2024 - 55.3
2023 - 55.7
2022 - 56.2
2021 - 59.7
2020 - 58.8
2019 - 58.3
2018 - 63
2017 - 62.3
2016 - 61.9
2015 - 62.6
2014 - 62.5
2013 - 61.8
2012 35.9 62.7
2011 38.6 62.7
2010 40.2 62.8
2009 43.5 63.8
2008 38.7 63.4
2007 37 63.5
2006 33.2 63.7
2005 32.8 62.9
2004 31.5 66.3
2003 34.6 67.1
2002 35.4 64
2001 34 63.8
2000 34.7 63.7
1999 32.3 63.3
1998 32 64.3
1997 28.9 63.2
1996 31.7 62.5
1995 - 60.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, 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

Libya South Africa
Services, % of GDP
26.9%
2025
63.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
73.2%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.5%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$54.1B
2025
$406B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,150
2025
$15,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$105B
2025
$76B
2025
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2025
35/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$1.85B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
37.9%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
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/libya/south-africa | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1990–2025, 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 (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. 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.