South Africa ranked 40/197 by economy size with a GDP of $401B and 111/197 by GDP per capita at $6,267. South Africa has $305B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 76%.
In 2024, South Africa made up 0.36% of the world's economy, compared to 0.64% in 1960.
South Africa GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $401,144,998,374 | 0.53% |
| 2023 | $381,440,724,491 | 0.81% |
| 2022 | $407,596,043,068 | 2.06% |
| 2021 | $419,986,284,375 | 4.86% |
| 2020 | $337,974,655,408 | -6.17% |
| 2019 | $389,330,032,224 | 0.26% |
| 2018 | $405,260,723,893 | 1.56% |
| 2017 | $381,448,814,653 | 1.16% |
| 2016 | $323,585,509,674 | 0.66% |
| 2015 | $346,709,790,459 | 1.32% |
| 2014 | $381,198,869,776 | 1.41% |
| 2013 | $400,886,013,596 | 2.49% |
| 2012 | $434,400,545,086 | 2.4% |
| 2011 | $458,199,494,831 | 3.17% |
| 2010 | $417,363,822,802 | 3.04% |
| 2009 | $329,754,060,647 | -1.54% |
| 2008 | $316,131,258,616 | 3.19% |
| 2007 | $333,077,117,254 | 5.36% |
| 2006 | $303,858,675,364 | 5.6% |
| 2005 | $288,867,217,197 | 5.28% |
| 2004 | $255,806,908,595 | 4.55% |
| 2003 | $197,018,965,309 | 2.95% |
| 2002 | $129,087,556,612 | 3.7% |
| 2001 | $135,429,905,923 | 2.7% |
| 2000 | $151,752,757,215 | 4.2% |
| 1999 | $151,516,957,079 | 2.4% |
| 1998 | $152,982,984,557 | 0.5% |
| 1997 | $168,978,057,328 | 2.6% |
| 1996 | $163,234,925,381 | 4.3% |
| 1995 | $171,735,933,897 | 3.1% |
| 1994 | $153,512,712,382 | 3.2% |
| 1993 | $147,194,747,566 | 1.23% |
| 1992 | $146,956,150,987 | -2.14% |
| 1991 | $135,203,698,238 | -1.02% |
| 1990 | $126,048,140,142 | -0.32% |
| 1989 | $108,055,624,082 | 2.39% |
| 1988 | $103,976,831,871 | 4.2% |
| 1987 | $96,535,763,418 | 2.1% |
| 1986 | $73,354,771,399 | 0.02% |
| 1985 | $64,459,376,087 | -1.21% |
| 1984 | $84,870,163,366 | 5.1% |
| 1983 | $96,204,110,942 | -1.85% |
| 1982 | $85,904,057,409 | -0.38% |
| 1981 | $93,141,472,164 | 5.36% |
| 1980 | $89,411,864,402 | 6.62% |
| 1979 | $63,038,658,089 | 3.79% |
| 1978 | $51,607,412,902 | 3.01% |
| 1977 | $45,328,411,332 | -0.09% |
| 1976 | $41,150,460,288 | 2.25% |
| 1975 | $42,906,905,672 | 1.7% |
| 1974 | $41,389,186,095 | 6.11% |
| 1973 | $33,262,772,008 | 4.57% |
| 1972 | $24,515,919,217 | 1.65% |
| 1971 | $23,411,076,638 | 4.28% |
| 1970 | $21,218,391,513 | 5.25% |
| 1969 | $19,256,992,297 | 4.72% |
| 1968 | $17,124,793,150 | 4.15% |
| 1967 | $15,821,393,671 | 7.2% |
| 1966 | $14,211,394,315 | 4.44% |
| 1965 | $13,068,994,772 | 6.12% |
| 1964 | $11,955,995,218 | 7.94% |
| 1963 | $10,854,195,658 | 7.37% |
| 1962 | $9,813,996,074 | 6.18% |
| 1961 | $9,225,996,310 | 3.84% |
| 1960 | $8,748,596,501 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa | CC BY 
South Africa GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $6,267 | $15,456 |
| 2023 | $6,034 | $15,200 |
| 2022 | $6,534 | $14,749 |
| 2021 | $6,829 | $13,682 |
| 2020 | $5,581 | $12,671 |
| 2019 | $6,534 | $13,361 |
| 2018 | $6,914 | $13,347 |
| 2017 | $6,618 | $13,738 |
| 2016 | $5,651 | $13,519 |
| 2015 | $6,112 | $13,398 |
| 2014 | $6,857 | $13,359 |
| 2013 | $7,332 | $13,369 |
| 2012 | $8,077 | $12,987 |
| 2011 | $8,646 | $13,143 |
| 2010 | $7,973 | $12,637 |
| 2009 | $6,375 | $12,261 |
| 2008 | $6,185 | $12,525 |
| 2007 | $6,592 | $12,047 |
| 2006 | $6,077 | $11,250 |
| 2005 | $5,837 | $10,441 |
| 2004 | $5,221 | $9,714 |
| 2003 | $4,062 | $9,139 |
| 2002 | $2,688 | $8,792 |
| 2001 | $2,847 | $8,428 |
| 2000 | $3,218 | $8,095 |
| 1999 | $3,242 | $7,667 |
| 1998 | $3,310 | $7,463 |
| 1997 | $3,700 | $7,433 |
| 1996 | $3,618 | $7,208 |
| 1995 | $3,856 | $6,875 |
| 1994 | $3,489 | $6,611 |
| 1993 | $3,400 | $6,375 |
| 1992 | $3,462 | $6,275 |
| 1991 | $3,243 | $6,383 |
| 1990 | $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/south-africa | CC BY
South Africa has a GDP per capita of $6,267, ranking 111/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $15,456, ranking 112/197, and a median annual after tax income of $15,431, ranking 56/197.
South Africa GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | 40 | 104 | 103 |
| 2023 | 41 | 105 | 105 |
| 2022 | 39 | 99 | 104 |
| 2021 | 35 | 92 | 103 |
| 2020 | 39 | 97 | 103 |
| 2019 | 33 | 94 | 104 |
| 2018 | 32 | 91 | 98 |
| 2017 | 31 | 89 | 92 |
| 2016 | 33 | 98 | 90 |
| 2015 | 32 | 92 | 90 |
| 2014 | 33 | 94 | 89 |
| 2013 | 32 | 87 | 89 |
| 2012 | 29 | 82 | 87 |
| 2011 | 28 | 76 | 88 |
| 2010 | 28 | 77 | 88 |
| 2009 | 30 | 86 | 87 |
| 2008 | 32 | 86 | 85 |
| 2007 | 28 | 75 | 83 |
| 2006 | 27 | 70 | 81 |
| 2005 | 26 | 66 | 77 |
| 2004 | 27 | 67 | 77 |
| 2003 | 28 | 74 | 77 |
| 2002 | 32 | 81 | 77 |
| 2001 | 29 | 81 | 76 |
| 2000 | 29 | 79 | 75 |
| 1999 | 28 | 76 | 75 |
| 1998 | 28 | 73 | 73 |
| 1997 | 27 | 69 | 68 |
| 1996 | 29 | 67 | 67 |
| 1995 | 26 | 64 | 69 |
| 1994 | 25 | 63 | 66 |
| 1993 | 25 | 61 | 68 |
| 1992 | 25 | 57 | 69 |
| 1991 | 25 | 58 | 71 |
| 1990 | 27 | 59 | 71 |
| 1989 | 25 | 57 | - |
| 1988 | 26 | 57 | - |
| 1987 | 24 | 57 | - |
| 1986 | 29 | 62 | - |
| 1985 | 27 | 65 | - |
| 1984 | 21 | 55 | - |
| 1983 | 21 | 47 | - |
| 1982 | 22 | 51 | - |
| 1981 | 21 | 46 | - |
| 1980 | 20 | 48 | - |
| 1979 | 25 | 48 | - |
| 1978 | 25 | 49 | - |
| 1977 | 25 | 47 | - |
| 1976 | 24 | 47 | - |
| 1975 | 22 | 43 | - |
| 1974 | 21 | 43 | - |
| 1973 | 19 | 41 | - |
| 1972 | 19 | 44 | - |
| 1971 | 19 | 42 | - |
| 1970 | 19 | 39 | - |
| 1969 | 20 | 31 | - |
| 1968 | 20 | 31 | - |
| 1967 | 19 | 32 | - |
| 1966 | 19 | 33 | - |
| 1965 | 19 | 34 | - |
| 1964 | 19 | 33 | - |
| 1963 | 19 | 31 | - |
| 1962 | 19 | 31 | - |
| 1961 | 19 | 30 | - |
| 1960 | 19 | 26 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2024 South Africa is ranked 40th out of 182 by GDP (down from 29th), 104th by GDP per capita (down from 79th), and 103rd by GDP per capita PPP (down from 75th).
Economic indicators
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$401B
2024 |
40/197 |
| GDP growth |
0.53%
2023-2024 |
167/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$6,267
2024 |
111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$15,456
2024 |
112/197 |
| Government debt |
$305B
2024 |
30/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
76%
2024 |
48/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$4,761
2024 |
83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$15,431
2026 |
56/197 |
| Listed domestic companies |
220
2024 |
31/103 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$986B
2024 |
15/100 |
| Number of millionaires |
90,595
2025 |
30/35 |
| Millionaire frequency |
1 in 465
2025 |
31/35 |
| Number of billionaires |
7
2025 |
38/78 |
| Billionaire frequency |
1 in 6,011,934
2025 |
62/78 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
50.5%
2014 |
1/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
0.9%
2014 |
169/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
33%
2024 |
82/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
4.36%
2023-2024 |
68/195 |
| Central bank interest rate |
6.75%
2025 |
43/106 |
| Unemployment rate |
32.3%
2024 |
3/196 |
| Population |
65683993
|
24/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2024 | 33% | 76% | -5.79% |
| 2023 | 32.5% | 73.2% | -5.55% |
| 2022 | 31.9% | 70.7% | -4.25% |
| 2021 | 32.7% | 68.8% | -5.54% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | 68.9% | -9.62% |
| 2019 | 31.4% | 56.1% | -5.07% |
| 2018 | 30.2% | 51.5% | -3.73% |
| 2017 | 29.9% | 48.6% | -4.02% |
| 2016 | 29.9% | 47.1% | -3.72% |
| 2015 | 30.2% | 45.2% | -4.37% |
| 2014 | 29.3% | 43.3% | -3.93% |
| 2013 | 28.9% | 40.4% | -3.9% |
| 2012 | 28.6% | 37.4% | -4.04% |
| 2011 | 28.1% | 34.7% | -3.7% |
| 2010 | 28.3% | 31.2% | -4.51% |
| 2009 | 28.5% | 27% | -4.67% |
| 2008 | 26% | 24% | -0.49% |
| 2007 | 24.4% | 24.3% | 1.22% |
| 2006 | 24.7% | 28% | 0.81% |
| 2005 | 25.1% | 29.6% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 22.7% | 30.7% | -1.04% |
| 2003 | 22.6% | 31.5% | -1.59% |
| 2002 | 22.2% | 31.8% | -0.96% |
| 2001 | 22.6% | 38% | -1.02% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | 37.9% | -1.38% |
| 1999 | 26.7% | 45.9% | -2.21% |
| 1998 | 27.1% | 45.8% | -2.56% |
| 1997 | 27.9% | 45.8% | -4.08% |
| 1996 | 28.5% | 44.3% | -4.53% |
| 1995 | 27.2% | 47% | -4.38% |
| 1994 | 31.3% | 46.4% | -8.09% |
| 1993 | 29.1% | 39.8% | -8.54% |
| 1992 | 29.8% | 34.8% | -7.09% |
| 1991 | 27.8% | 34.7% | -4.85% |
| 1990 | 28.7% | 31.8% | -3.82% |
| 1989 | 29.6% | 33.3% | -8.3% |
| 1988 | 23.9% | 30.6% | -3.29% |
| 1987 | 28% | 33.5% | -6.36% |
| 1986 | 27.8% | 32.5% | -5.69% |
| 1985 | 26.8% | 26.3% | -4.86% |
| 1984 | 25.2% | 23.2% | -5.24% |
| 1983 | 25.1% | 28.7% | -5.3% |
| 1982 | 23.8% | 31.3% | -3.88% |
| 1981 | 23.3% | 27.4% | -3.72% |
| 1980 | 21.8% | 33.3% | -1.91% |
| 1979 | 26.5% | 41.9% | -4.65% |
| 1978 | 26.8% | 44.7% | -5.42% |
| 1977 | 27.3% | 45.3% | -5.52% |
| 1976 | 23% | 35% | -4.19% |
| 1975 | 21.2% | 32.8% | -2.62% |
| 1974 | 19.1% | 33.7% | -1.5% |
| 1973 | 21% | 38.2% | -4.54% |
| 1972 | 22.9% | 41.1% | -5.39% |
| 1971 | 19.9% | 41.1% | -1.96% |
| 1970 | 20% | 43.3% | -3.19% |
| 1969 | 18.8% | 44.4% | -3.94% |
| 1968 | 19.4% | 42.7% | -3.38% |
| 1967 | 18.8% | 41.1% | -3.8% |
| 1966 | 18.3% | 41.4% | -3.04% |
| 1965 | 18.2% | 42.7% | -3.15% |
| 1964 | 11.3% | 30% | -1.19% |
| 1963 | 15.9% | 43.4% | -2.26% |
| 1962 | 15.9% | 45.7% | -1.4% |
| 1961 | 15.7% | 52.8% | -3.25% |
| 1960 | 16.7% | 52.9% | -2.36% |
| 1959 | 18.3% | 53.9% | -4.4% |
| 1958 | 18.8% | 55.4% | -3.5% |
| 1957 | 17.9% | 53.8% | -2.8% |
| 1956 | 17.1% | 53.9% | -2.12% |
| 1955 | 18.6% | 55.6% | -2.9% |
| 1954 | 18.7% | 56.7% | -2.53% |
| 1953 | 21.2% | 57.7% | -3.72% |
| 1952 | 21.5% | 59.4% | -4.14% |
| 1951 | 18.4% | 61.6% | -0.4% |
| 1950 | 19.2% | 63.4% | -2.33% |
| 1949 | 23.8% | 66.8% | -6.87% |
| 1948 | 24.2% | 66.8% | -6.03% |
| 1947 | 22.7% | 72.2% | -1.82% |
| 1946 | 25% | 79.9% | -4.03% |
| 1945 | 28.5% | 84.6% | -7.41% |
| 1944 | 29.7% | 84.7% | -8.94% |
| 1943 | 29.6% | 79% | -8.49% |
| 1942 | 29% | 76.5% | -9.08% |
| 1941 | 26.2% | 75.2% | -7.3% |
| 1940 | 28.3% | 74.9% | -10.9% |
| 1939 | 17.8% | 71.9% | -2.96% |
| 1938 | 17.2% | 72.7% | -3.91% |
| 1937 | 15.9% | 71% | -2.16% |
| 1936 | 17.2% | 73.1% | -2.58% |
| 1935 | 18.2% | 80.3% | -3.2% |
| 1934 | 19.8% | 100.3% | -3.29% |
| 1933 | 21.1% | 113.6% | -3.31% |
| 1932 | 20.3% | 128.5% | -4.72% |
| 1931 | 19.9% | 116.8% | -5.31% |
| 1930 | 18.8% | 102.5% | -5.19% |
| 1929 | 16.9% | 91.7% | -4.41% |
| 1928 | 16.5% | 89.3% | -3.29% |
| 1927 | 17.1% | 90.6% | -3.79% |
| 1926 | 17.8% | 91.8% | -4.76% |
| 1925 | 17.6% | 90.9% | -4.92% |
| 1924 | 17.6% | 91.9% | -4.72% |
| 1923 | 18.4% | 96% | -5.53% |
| 1922 | 20% | 100.1% | -4.51% |
| 1921 | 20.2% | 85.9% | -5.38% |
| 1920 | 18.5% | 70.4% | -5.52% |
| 1919 | 15.6% | 75.5% | -2.6% |
| 1918 | 16.4% | 88% | -3.7% |
| 1917 | 15.8% | 94.1% | -3.52% |
| 1916 | 15.4% | 99.2% | -2.57% |
| 1915 | 23.6% | 108.1% | -10.7% |
| 1914 | 22.5% | 100.3% | -11.6% |
| 1913 | 15.9% | 87.4% | -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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa | CC BY
This chart shows South Africa's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 50 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 48 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 4.04% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $132B (33% of GDP), with a deficit of 5.79%.
The national debt reached $305B, ranking 30th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 76%, ranking 48th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.36% |
| 2023 | 6.08% |
| 2022 | 7.04% |
| 2021 | 4.62% |
| 2020 | 3.23% |
| 2019 | 4.1% |
| 2018 | 4.51% |
| 2017 | 5.19% |
| 2016 | 6.6% |
| 2015 | 4.52% |
| 2014 | 6.13% |
| 2013 | 5.78% |
| 2012 | 5.74% |
| 2011 | 5% |
| 2010 | 4.07% |
| 2009 | 7.24% |
| 2008 | 9.91% |
| 2007 | 6.18% |
| 2006 | 3.24% |
| 2005 | 2.06% |
| 2004 | -0.69% |
| 2003 | 5.68% |
| 2002 | 9.49% |
| 2001 | 5.7% |
| 2000 | 5.34% |
| 1999 | 5.18% |
| 1998 | 6.88% |
| 1997 | 8.6% |
| 1996 | 7.35% |
| 1995 | 8.68% |
| 1994 | 8.94% |
| 1993 | 9.72% |
| 1992 | 13.9% |
| 1991 | 15.3% |
| 1990 | 14.3% |
| 1989 | 14.7% |
| 1988 | 12.8% |
| 1987 | 16.2% |
| 1986 | 18.7% |
| 1985 | 16.3% |
| 1984 | 11.5% |
| 1983 | 12.3% |
| 1982 | 14.6% |
| 1981 | 15.3% |
| 1980 | 13.7% |
| 1979 | 13.3% |
| 1978 | 11.1% |
| 1977 | 11.2% |
| 1976 | 11% |
| 1975 | 13.4% |
| 1974 | 11.7% |
| 1973 | 9.43% |
| 1972 | 6.43% |
| 1971 | 5.96% |
| 1970 | 4.99% |
| 1969 | 3.24% |
| 1968 | 1.99% |
| 1967 | 3.54% |
| 1966 | 3.49% |
| 1965 | 4.07% |
| 1964 | 2.53% |
| 1963 | 1.34% |
| 1962 | 1.25% |
| 1961 | 2.1% |
| 1960 | 1.29% |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, South Africa has had an average annual inflation rate of 5.28%. In 2024, inflation was 4.36%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$2.58B
2024 |
152/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-0.64%
2024 |
84/190 |
| Goods imports |
$99.8B
2024 |
38/189 |
| Goods exports |
$112B
2024 |
35/189 |
| Service imports |
$20B
2024 |
50/189 |
| Service exports |
$16.1B
2024 |
57/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
29.9%
2024 |
129/181 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
31.8%
2024 |
104/193 |
South Africa top 10 trading partners
South Africa's biggest trading partner accounting for 17.2% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$9.36B: South Africa exports $12.4B worth of goods and services to China and imports $21.8B.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of South Africa.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
China
|
$34.2B | 17.2% | $12.4B | $21.8B | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 2 |
United States
|
$15.2B | 7.67% | $8.23B | $6.98B | Precious metals & jewellery | Machinery & equipment |
| 3 |
Germany
|
$14.4B | 7.26% | $7.3B | $7.1B | Machinery & equipment | Machinery & equipment |
| 4 |
India
|
$12.1B | 6.09% | $4.75B | $7.32B | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 5 |
Mozambique
|
$7.64B | 3.85% | $6.57B | $1.07B | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 6 |
Japan
|
$7.2B | 3.63% | $4.88B | $2.31B | Precious metals & jewellery | Machinery & equipment |
| 7 |
United Kingdom
|
$6.93B | 3.49% | $5.28B | $1.65B | Precious metals & jewellery | Machinery & equipment |
| 8 |
UAE
|
$5.65B | 2.85% | $2.69B | $2.97B | Precious metals & jewellery | Raw materials & minerals |
| 9 |
Netherlands
|
$5.57B | 2.81% | $4.28B | $1.29B | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 10 |
Namibia
|
$5.07B | 2.56% | $3.85B | $1.22B | Machinery & equipment | Precious metals & jewellery |
Top 10 exports
|
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $30.8B | 37/193 |
| Machinery & equipment | $21.9B | 39/193 |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $20.7B | 14/190 |
| Metals | $11.1B | 31/192 |
| Transport & tourism services | $8.11B | 52/188 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $7.37B | 24/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $6.05B | 41/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $5.17B | 41/192 |
| Business & finance services | $4.33B | 45/188 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $2.52B | 54/193 |
Top 10 imports
|
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Machinery & equipment | $33.4B | 40/193 |
| Raw materials & minerals | $24B | 28/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $11.2B | 43/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $10.1B | 48/188 |
| Miscellaneous | $8.43B | 15/193 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $7.23B | 42/193 |
| Metals | $4.99B | 49/193 |
| IT & IP services | $4.98B | 33/182 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $4.01B | 51/193 |
| Business & finance services | $2.47B | 63/188 |
Economic freedom indices
|
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 58.6 | 110/197 |
| Property rights | 48.8 | 91/182 |
| Government integrity | 46.7 | 74/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 64.6 | 55/182 |
| Tax burden | 65.4 | 160/182 |
| Government spending | 68.4 | 105/180 |
| Fiscal health | 45.3 | 136/181 |
| Business freedom | 67.9 | 81/182 |
| Labor freedom | 70.8 | 8/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 75.8 | 73/180 |
| Trade freedom | 68.8 | 105/181 |
| Investment freedom | 40 | 136/181 |
| Financial freedom | 40 | 126/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 58.6 | 64.6 | 65.4 | 68.4 | 45.3 |
| 2025 | 57.3 | 57.7 | 67.9 | 68.6 | 45.8 |
| 2024 | 55.3 | 58.3 | 65.2 | 66.9 | 19.7 |
| 2023 | 55.7 | 48 | 65.6 | 67.3 | 5.9 |
| 2022 | 56.2 | 61.3 | 63.4 | 68.1 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 59.7 | 57.1 | 63.9 | 65.9 | 53.4 |
| 2020 | 58.8 | 38 | 63.7 | 67.4 | 64 |
| 2019 | 58.3 | 39.3 | 62.1 | 67.6 | 62.6 |
| 2018 | 63 | 65.9 | 62.5 | 68.1 | 74.6 |
| 2017 | 62.3 | 59.7 | 70.2 | 68.4 | 70 |
| 2016 | 61.9 | - | 70.1 | 69.9 | - |
| 2015 | 62.6 | - | 69.5 | 68.2 | - |
| 2014 | 62.5 | - | 68.7 | 69.1 | - |
| 2013 | 61.8 | - | 70.5 | 69.2 | - |
| 2012 | 62.7 | - | 70.7 | 71.9 | - |
| 2011 | 62.7 | - | 69.6 | 77.5 | - |
| 2010 | 62.8 | - | 69.1 | 76.8 | - |
| 2009 | 63.8 | - | 68.9 | 77.6 | - |
| 2008 | 63.4 | - | 69.5 | 76.8 | - |
| 2007 | 63.5 | - | 69.7 | 79.2 | - |
| 2006 | 63.7 | - | 69.8 | 78.6 | - |
| 2005 | 62.9 | - | 69.7 | 79.9 | - |
| 2004 | 66.3 | - | 69.6 | 79.7 | - |
| 2003 | 67.1 | - | 68 | 80 | - |
| 2002 | 64 | - | 65.2 | 79.7 | - |
| 2001 | 63.8 | - | 65 | 78.1 | - |
| 2000 | 63.7 | - | 60.5 | 67.3 | - |
| 1999 | 63.3 | - | 60.8 | 66.7 | - |
| 1998 | 64.3 | - | 61.3 | 67.3 | - |
| 1997 | 63.2 | - | 61.3 | 65.3 | - |
| 1996 | 62.5 | - | 63.6 | 62.2 | - |
| 1995 | 60.7 | - | 61.1 | 63.3 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa | CC BY
South Africa is ranked 98/174 for economic freedom with a score of 58.6, compared to 54/162 and a score of 63.7 in 2006.
Other economic metrics
|
South Africa
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
63%
2024 |
58/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
24.3%
2024 |
94/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
2.81%
2024 |
133/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$391B
2024 |
41/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$15,150
2024 |
109/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$65.4B
2024 |
36/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$3.59B
2024 |
154/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$2.33B
2024 |
66/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$1.26B
2024 |
185/193 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
5.74%
2024 |
39/121 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
55.5%
2014 |
15/176 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
14.1%
2024 |
160/178 |
Compare South Africa vs other countries
GDP per capita map
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/south-africa | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.