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Economy of Mongolia vs South Africa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Mongolia has a GDP of $25.4B compared to $427B for South Africa, ranking 123/197 and 40/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mongolia has $11.4B in government debt (45.1% of GDP), compared to $336B (78.6% of GDP) in South Africa.

Mongolia vs South Africa GDP by year

Mongolia
South Africa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mongolia South Africa
2025 $25,369,107,325 $427,184,325,997
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $7,108 - $6,598 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Mongolia's GDP per capita is $7,108, ranking 103/197, compared to $6,598 in South Africa, ranking 109/197. 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
$25.4B
2025
$427B
2025
GDP rank
123/197
2025
40/197
2025
GDP growth
6.84%
2024-2025
1.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,108
2025
$6,598
2025
GDP per capita rank
103/197
2025
109/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,145
2024
$15,456
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
98/197
2024
112/197
2024
Government debt
$11.4B
2025
$336B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.1%
2025
78.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,207
2025
$5,189
2025
Government debt per person rank
101/185
2025
84/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,064
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%
24.6%
2022
42.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2022
1.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2025
34.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.6%
2024-2025
3.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
12%
2025
7%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.81%
2024
32.3%
2024
Population
3630744
65829368

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
2025 34.6% 45.1% 34.2% 78.6%
2024 37.5% 44.1% 33% 76%
2023 31.9% 46.7% 32.5% 73.2%
2022 33.7% 64.5% 31.9% 70.7%
2021 35.9% 67.3% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2005, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mongolia's government spending was $8.78B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while South Africa spent $146B, or 34.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.1% in Mongolia and 78.6% in South Africa, ranking 116/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mongolia

South Africa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mongolia South Africa
2025 1.7% -5.78%
2024 1.39% -5.67%
2023 2.73% -5.6%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Mongolia's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 1.7% of GDP. This compares to South Africa's deficit of $24.7B, or 5.78% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Mongolia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while South Africa ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Mongolia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.8% of GDP for South Africa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mongolia

South Africa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mongolia South Africa
2025 8.6% 3.21%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Mongolia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.42%, compared with 5.34% in South Africa. In 2025, inflation was 8.6% in Mongolia and 3.21% in South Africa.

Top exports between countries

Mongolia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.15M
Metals $119K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.07M
Raw agricultural goods $332K
Metals $178K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103K
Chemicals & pharma $79K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Raw materials & minerals $31K
Weapons & explosives $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K

Balance of trade

Mongolia South Africa
Current account balance
-$2.49B
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Current account balance ranking
147/190
2024
135/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-10.4%
2024
-0.42%
2025
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$104B
2025
Goods exports
$14.7B
2024
$116B
2025
Service imports
$4.92B
2024
$21.8B
2025
Service exports
$1.6B
2024
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
62.6%
2025
29.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
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.

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 2026-07-08).

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%
2025
63.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.94%
2025
2.83%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$22.2B
2025
$406B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,460
2025
$15,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7B
2025
$76B
2025
Total reserves ranking
91/177
2025
35/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.73B
2024
-$1.85B
2025
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
37.9%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.4%
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/mongolia/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 (1913–2005, 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 (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.