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Economy of Mongolia vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Mongolia has a GDP of $23.8B compared to $401B for South Africa, ranking 121/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mongolia has $10.5B in government debt (44.1% of GDP), compared to $305B (76% of GDP) in South Africa.

Mongolia vs South Africa GDP by year

Mongolia
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mongolia South Africa
2024 $23,794,540,025 $401,144,998,374
2023 $20,325,121,394 $381,440,724,491
2022 $17,146,471,714 $407,596,043,068
2021 $15,286,441,738 $419,986,284,375
2020 $13,312,981,429 $337,974,655,408
2019 $14,206,359,018 $389,330,032,224
2018 $13,178,094,720 $405,260,723,893
2017 $11,480,847,741 $381,448,814,653
2016 $11,181,350,649 $323,585,509,674
2015 $11,619,892,591 $346,709,790,459
2014 $12,226,514,668 $381,198,869,776
2013 $12,582,122,604 $400,886,013,596
2012 $12,292,770,632 $434,400,545,086
2011 $10,409,797,378 $458,199,494,831
2010 $7,189,481,999 $417,363,822,802
2009 $4,583,850,368 $329,754,060,647
2008 $5,623,216,608 $316,131,258,616
2007 $4,234,999,704 $333,077,117,254
2006 $3,414,055,662 $303,858,675,364
2005 $2,523,471,601 $288,867,217,197
2004 $1,992,066,808 $255,806,908,595
2003 $1,595,297,356 $197,018,965,309
2002 $1,396,555,720 $129,087,556,612
2001 $1,267,997,934 $135,429,905,923
2000 $1,136,896,124 $151,752,757,215
1999 $1,057,408,589 $151,516,957,079
1998 $1,124,440,205 $152,982,984,557
1997 $1,180,934,203 $168,978,057,328
1996 $1,345,719,472 $163,234,925,381
1995 $1,452,165,005 $171,735,933,897
1994 $925,817,092 $153,512,712,382
1993 $768,401,634 $147,194,747,566
1992 $1,317,611,864 $146,956,150,987
1991 $2,379,018,326 $135,203,698,238
1990 $2,560,785,660 $126,048,140,142
1989 $3,576,966,800 $108,055,624,082
1988 $3,204,461,567 $103,976,831,871
1987 $3,020,611,600 $96,535,763,418
1986 $2,896,178,867 $73,354,771,399
1985 $2,186,505,475 $64,459,376,087
1984 $2,098,734,600 $84,870,163,366
1983 $2,725,736,633 $96,204,110,942
1982 $2,552,401,933 $85,904,057,409
1981 $2,310,099,100 $93,141,472,164
1980 $2,101,394,100 $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/mongolia/south-africa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Mongolia vs South Africa by year

Mongolia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mongolia South Africa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,751 $19,145 $6,267 $15,456
2023 $5,839 $18,005 $6,034 $15,200
2022 $4,994 $16,402 $6,534 $14,749
2021 $4,518 $14,792 $6,829 $13,682
2020 $4,001 $13,693 $5,581 $12,671
2019 $4,348 $13,605 $6,534 $13,361
2018 $4,108 $12,317 $6,914 $13,347
2017 $3,646 $11,096 $6,618 $13,738
2016 $3,620 $10,511 $5,651 $13,519
2015 $3,839 $10,458 $6,112 $13,398
2014 $4,126 $10,900 $6,857 $13,359
2013 $4,340 $10,442 $7,332 $13,369
2012 $4,329 $10,152 $8,077 $12,987
2011 $3,736 $8,862 $8,646 $13,143
2010 $2,625 $7,532 $7,973 $12,637
2009 $1,703 $7,119 $6,375 $12,261
2008 $2,127 $7,297 $6,185 $12,525
2007 $1,628 $6,678 $6,592 $12,047
2006 $1,330 $5,977 $6,077 $11,250
2005 $995 $5,406 $5,837 $10,441
2004 $794 $4,942 $5,221 $9,714
2003 $643 $4,399 $4,062 $9,139
2002 $570 $4,083 $2,688 $8,792
2001 $524 $3,889 $2,847 $8,428
2000 $476 $3,740 $3,218 $8,095
1999 $449 $3,664 $3,242 $7,667
1998 $484 $3,555 $3,310 $7,463
1997 $515 $3,449 $3,700 $7,433
1996 $596 $3,310 $3,618 $7,208
1995 $653 $3,229 $3,856 $6,875
1994 $423 $3,021 $3,489 $6,611
1993 $355 $2,929 $3,400 $6,375
1992 $608 $2,951 $3,462 $6,275
1991 $1,099 $3,183 $3,243 $6,383
1990 $1,220 $3,479 $3,093 $6,382
1989 $1,684 - $2,727 -
1988 $1,543 - $2,702 -
1987 $1,493 - $2,586 -
1986 $1,469 - $2,027 -
1985 $1,138 - $1,839 -
1984 $1,120 - $2,504 -
1983 $1,490 - $2,938 -
1982 $1,430 - $2,717 -
1981 $1,325 - $3,050 -
1980 $1,235 - $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/mongolia/south-africa | CC BY

Mongolia's GDP per capita is $6,751, ranking 105/197, compared to $6,267 in South Africa, ranking 111/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mongolia ranks 98th at $19,145, while South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456.

Economic indicators

Mongolia South Africa
Gross domestic product
$23.8B
2024
$401B
2024
GDP rank
121/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP growth
5.12%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,751
2024
$6,267
2024
GDP per capita rank
105/197
2024
111/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,145
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
98/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$10.5B
2024
$305B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.1%
2024
76%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,974
2024
$4,761
2024
Government debt per person rank
101/185
2024
83/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,311
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%
24.6%
2022
50.5%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2022
0.9%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
33%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.2%
2023-2024
4.36%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
12%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.81%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
3620317
65683993

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mongolia
Spending

Debt
South Africa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mongolia South Africa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.5% 44.1% 33% 76%
2023 31.9% 46.7% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 33.7% 64.6% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 35.9% 67.4% 32.7% 68.8%
2020 37.1% 83.4% 34.6% 68.9%
2019 30.8% 66.8% 31.4% 56.1%
2018 28.4% 76.5% 30.2% 51.5%
2017 32.2% 86.9% 29.9% 48.6%
2016 39.7% 78.7% 29.9% 47.1%
2015 31.2% 50.5% 30.2% 45.2%
2014 32.1% 44% 29.3% 43.3%
2013 32.2% 49.4% 28.9% 40.4%
2012 36.1% 43.7% 28.6% 37.4%
2011 37.9% 32.7% 28.1% 34.7%
2010 31.6% 31% 28.3% 31.2%
2009 35.5% 48.5% 28.5% 27%
2008 37.6% 31% 26% 24%
2007 35.3% 36.1% 24.4% 24.3%
2006 26.2% 40.9% 24.7% 28%
2005 25.1% 55.9% 25.1% 29.6%
2004 31.8% 75% 22.7% 30.7%
2003 33.7% 90% 22.6% 31.5%
2002 35.5% 72% 22.2% 31.8%
2001 35.2% 69.2% 22.6% 38%
2000 34.5% 79.3% 22.6% 37.9%
1999 33.2% 103.7% 26.7% 45.9%
1998 36.2% 77.5% 27.1% 45.8%
1997 30.8% 61% 27.9% 45.8%
1996 28.6% 49.7% 28.5% 44.3%
1995 26.6% 40.2% 27.2% 47%
1994 32.2% 57.6% 31.3% 46.4%
1993 38.3% 57.8% 29.1% 39.8%
1992 29.1% 29.3% 29.8% 34.8%
1991 46% - 27.8% 34.7%
1990 51.7% - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mongolia's government spending was $8.92B, accounting for 37.5% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $132B, or 33% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.1% in Mongolia and 76% in South Africa, ranking 122/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mongolia

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mongolia South Africa
2024 1.39% -5.79%
2023 2.73% -5.55%
2022 0.67% -4.25%
2021 -3.05% -5.54%
2020 -9.24% -9.62%
2019 1% -5.07%
2018 2.85% -3.73%
2017 -3.72% -4.02%
2016 -15.3% -3.72%
2015 -5.04% -4.37%
2014 -3.73% -3.93%
2013 -0.93% -3.9%
2012 -6.24% -4.04%
2011 -4.01% -3.7%
2010 0.43% -4.51%
2009 -5.2% -4.67%
2008 -4.52% -0.49%
2007 2.64% 1.22%
2006 7.58% 0.81%
2005 2.43% -0.1%
2004 -1.62% -1.04%
2003 -3.38% -1.59%
2002 -4.74% -0.96%
2001 -4.33% -1.02%
2000 -5.82% -1.38%
1999 -9.91% -2.21%
1998 -12.3% -2.56%
1997 -8.09% -4.08%
1996 -6.88% -4.53%
1995 -4.97% -4.38%
1994 -9.74% -8.09%
1993 -13.3% -8.54%
1992 -8.1% -7.09%
1991 -6.37% -4.85%
1990 -9.37% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mongolia's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $332M, equivalent to 1.39% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $23.2B, or 5.79% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Mongolia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Mongolia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.75% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mongolia

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mongolia South Africa
2024 6.2% 4.36%
2023 10.4% 6.08%
2022 15.1% 7.04%
2021 7.4% 4.62%
2020 3.7% 3.23%
2019 7.3% 4.1%
2018 6.8% 4.51%
2017 4.3% 5.19%
2016 0.8% 6.6%
2015 6.8% 4.52%
2014 12.9% 6.13%
2013 10.6% 5.78%
2012 13.8% 5.74%
2011 8.8% 5%
2010 8.3% 4.07%
2009 7.6% 7.24%
2008 28% 9.91%
2007 9.6% 6.18%
2006 4.4% 3.24%
2005 12.6% 2.06%
2004 8.3% -0.69%
2003 5.2% 5.68%
2002 0.9% 9.49%
2001 6.4% 5.7%
2000 11.3% 5.34%
1999 7.6% 5.18%
1998 9.5% 6.88%
1997 30% 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/mongolia/south-africa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mongolia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.45%, compared with 5.42% in South Africa. In 2024, inflation was 6.2% in Mongolia and 4.36% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Mongolia
Export category Export value
Metals $119K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $26.1M
Raw agricultural goods $520K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103K
Chemicals & pharma $96K
Textiles & consumer goods $86K
Metals $69K
Raw materials & minerals $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $29K
Weapons & explosives $18K

Balance of trade

Mongolia South Africa
Current account balance
-$2.49B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Current account balance ranking
149/190
2024
152/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-10.4%
2024
-0.64%
2024
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Goods exports
$14.7B
2024
$112B
2024
Service imports
$4.92B
2024
$20B
2024
Service exports
$1.6B
2024
$16.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.7%
2024
29.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.7%
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.

Mongolia South Africa
Economic freedom 63.9 58.6
Economic freedom ranking 76/197 110/197
Property rights 49.2 48.8
Government integrity 35.8 46.7
Judicial effectiveness 54.9 64.6
Tax burden 83.7 65.4
Government spending 64.6 68.4
Fiscal health 96.1 45.3
Business freedom 68.4 67.9
Labor freedom 68.2 70.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 75.8
Trade freedom 74.4 68.8
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mongolia
South Africa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mongolia South Africa
2026 63.9 58.6
2025 62.6 57.3
2024 60.6 55.3
2023 61.7 55.7
2022 63.9 56.2
2021 62.4 59.7
2020 55.9 58.8
2019 55.4 58.3
2018 55.7 63
2017 54.8 62.3
2016 59.4 61.9
2015 59.2 62.6
2014 58.9 62.5
2013 61.7 61.8
2012 61.5 62.7
2011 59.5 62.7
2010 60 62.8
2009 62.8 63.8
2008 63.6 63.4
2007 60.3 63.5
2006 62.4 63.7
2005 59.7 62.9
2004 56.5 66.3
2003 57.7 67.1
2002 56.7 64
2001 56 63.8
2000 58.5 63.7
1999 58.6 63.3
1998 57.3 64.3
1997 52.9 63.2
1996 47.4 62.5
1995 47.8 60.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mongolia is 63.9, ranking 76/197, 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

Mongolia South Africa
Services, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
63%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
24.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19B
2024
$391B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,000
2024
$15,150
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.51B
2024
$65.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
95/177
2024
36/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.73B
2024
-$3.59B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.78B
2024
$2.33B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$55.5M
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
25.7%
2024
5.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.1%
2022
55.5%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.5%
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/mongolia/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 (1913–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.