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Economy of South Africa vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Africa has a GDP of $401B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 40/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Africa has $305B in government debt (76% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

South Africa vs South Sudan GDP by year

South Africa
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Africa South Sudan
2024 $401,144,998,374 -
2023 $381,440,724,491 -
2022 $407,596,043,068 -
2021 $419,986,284,375 -
2020 $337,974,655,408 -
2019 $389,330,032,224 -
2018 $405,260,723,893 -
2017 $381,448,814,653 -
2016 $323,585,509,674 -
2015 $346,709,790,459 $11,997,800,760
2014 $381,198,869,776 $13,962,212,847
2013 $400,886,013,596 $18,426,469,017
2012 $434,400,545,086 $11,931,472,169
2011 $458,199,494,831 $14,907,308,933
2010 $417,363,822,802 $14,602,072,411
2009 $329,754,060,647 $12,231,264,525
2008 $316,131,258,616 $14,586,253,383
2007 $333,077,117,254 -
2006 $303,858,675,364 -
2005 $288,867,217,197 -
2004 $255,806,908,595 -
2003 $197,018,965,309 -
2002 $129,087,556,612 -
2001 $135,429,905,923 -
2000 $151,752,757,215 -
1999 $151,516,957,079 -
1998 $152,982,984,557 -
1997 $168,978,057,328 -
1996 $163,234,925,381 -
1995 $171,735,933,897 -
1994 $153,512,712,382 -
1993 $147,194,747,566 -
1992 $146,956,150,987 -
1991 $135,203,698,238 -
1990 $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/south-africa/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in South Africa vs South Sudan by year

South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Africa South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP 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 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $6,857 $13,359 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $7,332 $13,369 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $8,077 $12,987 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $8,646 $13,143 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $7,973 $12,637 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $6,375 $12,261 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $6,185 $12,525 $1,654 $2,887
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/south-sudan | CC BY

South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,267, ranking 111/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

South Africa South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$401B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
40/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
0.53%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$6,267
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
111/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
112/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$305B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,761
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
83/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$15,431
2026
$1,305
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$986B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
90,595
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
50.5%
2014
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
0.9%
2014
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.36%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
65683993
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Africa
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Africa South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33% 76% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 32.5% 73.2% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 31.9% 70.7% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 32.7% 68.8% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 34.6% 68.9% 34.1% 49%
2019 31.4% 56.1% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 30.2% 51.5% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 29.9% 48.6% 97% 178.3%
2016 29.9% 47.1% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 30.2% 45.2% 34% 58.6%
2014 29.3% 43.3% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 28.9% 40.4% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 28.6% 37.4% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 28.1% 34.7% 20.8% -
2010 28.3% 31.2% - -
2009 28.5% 27% - -
2008 26% 24% - -
2007 24.4% 24.3% - -
2006 24.7% 28% - -
2005 25.1% 29.6% - -
2004 22.7% 30.7% - -
2003 22.6% 31.5% - -
2002 22.2% 31.8% - -
2001 22.6% 38% - -
2000 22.6% 37.9% - -
1999 26.7% 45.9% - -
1998 27.1% 45.8% - -
1997 27.9% 45.8% - -
1996 28.5% 44.3% - -
1995 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Africa's government spending was $132B, accounting for 33% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76% in South Africa and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 48/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Africa

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Africa South Sudan
2024 -5.79% 11.7%
2023 -5.55% 8.04%
2022 -4.25% 4.48%
2021 -5.54% -9.3%
2020 -9.62% -5.5%
2019 -5.07% 0.04%
2018 -3.73% -1.06%
2017 -4.02% 9.56%
2016 -3.72% -19.8%
2015 -4.37% -16.4%
2014 -3.93% -9.07%
2013 -3.9% -3.45%
2012 -4.04% -14.8%
2011 -3.7% 4.57%
2010 -4.51% -
2009 -4.67% -
2008 -0.49% -
2007 1.22% -
2006 0.81% -
2005 -0.1% -
2004 -1.04% -
2003 -1.59% -
2002 -0.96% -
2001 -1.02% -
2000 -1.38% -
1999 -2.21% -
1998 -2.56% -
1997 -4.08% -
1996 -4.53% -
1995 -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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2015, South Africa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $15.2B, equivalent to 4.37% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Africa

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Africa South Sudan
2024 4.36% 91.4%
2023 6.08% 2.38%
2022 7.04% -6.69%
2021 4.62% 10.5%
2020 3.23% 29.7%
2019 4.1% 87.2%
2018 4.51% 83.5%
2017 5.19% 187.9%
2016 6.6% 380%
2015 4.52% 52.8%
2014 6.13% 1.67%
2013 5.78% -0.06%
2012 5.74% 45.5%
2011 5% 46.9%
2010 4.07% 1.17%
2009 7.24% 5.01%
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% -

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

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

Over the past 16 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.26%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 4.36% in South Africa and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

South Africa South Sudan
Current account balance
-$2.58B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
152/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.64%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$99.8B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$112B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$20B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$16.1B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

South Africa South Sudan
Economic freedom 58.6 41
Economic freedom ranking 110/197 186/197
Property rights 48.8 n/a
Government integrity 46.7 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 64.6 n/a
Tax burden 65.4 n/a
Government spending 68.4 n/a
Fiscal health 45.3 n/a
Business freedom 67.9 n/a
Labor freedom 70.8 n/a
Monetary freedom 75.8 n/a
Trade freedom 68.8 n/a
Investment freedom 40 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

South Africa South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
63%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$391B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,150
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$65.4B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
36/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.59B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.33B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.74%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
55.5%
2014
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.1%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/south-africa/south-sudan | 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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.