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Economy of South Africa vs Tajikistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Africa has a GDP of $401B compared to $14.2B for Tajikistan, ranking 40/197 and 145/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Africa has $305B in government debt (76% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (24.9% of GDP) in Tajikistan.

South Africa vs Tajikistan GDP by year

South Africa
Tajikistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Africa Tajikistan
2024 $401,144,998,374 $14,204,575,549
2023 $381,440,724,491 $12,244,169,293
2022 $407,596,043,068 $10,713,525,200
2021 $419,986,284,375 $8,937,805,347
2020 $337,974,655,408 $8,133,963,551
2019 $389,330,032,224 $8,300,813,599
2018 $405,260,723,893 $7,764,999,999
2017 $381,448,814,653 $7,536,402,853
2016 $323,585,509,674 $6,992,416,097
2015 $346,709,790,459 $8,271,431,485
2014 $381,198,869,776 $9,112,605,459
2013 $400,886,013,596 $8,448,411,318
2012 $434,400,545,086 $7,633,036,903
2011 $458,199,494,831 $6,522,756,255
2010 $417,363,822,802 $5,642,221,099
2009 $329,754,060,647 $4,979,472,364
2008 $316,131,258,616 $5,161,299,725
2007 $333,077,117,254 $3,719,524,541
2006 $303,858,675,364 $2,830,213,849
2005 $288,867,217,197 $2,312,352,021
2004 $255,806,908,595 $2,076,176,869
2003 $197,018,965,309 $1,555,318,261
2002 $129,087,556,612 $1,221,106,220
2001 $135,429,905,923 $1,080,772,551
2000 $151,752,757,215 $860,541,842
1999 $151,516,957,079 $1,086,612,290
1998 $152,982,984,557 $1,320,199,582
1997 $168,978,057,328 $921,518,033
1996 $163,234,925,381 $1,043,654,822
1995 $171,735,933,897 $1,231,561,860
1994 $153,512,712,382 $1,522,001,206
1993 $147,194,747,566 $1,646,623,195
1992 $146,956,150,987 $1,908,554,572
1991 $135,203,698,238 $2,536,585,366
1990 $126,048,140,142 $2,629,395,066
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/tajikistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in South Africa vs Tajikistan by year

South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tajikistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Africa Tajikistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,267 $15,456 $1,341 $5,406
2023 $6,034 $15,200 $1,178 $4,964
2022 $6,534 $14,749 $1,052 $4,514
2021 $6,829 $13,682 $897 $3,986
2020 $5,581 $12,671 $834 $3,654
2019 $6,534 $13,361 $871 $3,460
2018 $6,914 $13,347 $834 $3,069
2017 $6,618 $13,738 $829 $3,017
2016 $5,651 $13,519 $789 $2,914
2015 $6,112 $13,398 $957 $2,975
2014 $6,857 $13,359 $1,082 $3,152
2013 $7,332 $13,369 $1,028 $2,919
2012 $8,077 $12,987 $952 $2,679
2011 $8,646 $13,143 $834 $2,456
2010 $7,973 $12,637 $737 $2,291
2009 $6,375 $12,261 $665 $2,171
2008 $6,185 $12,525 $703 $2,120
2007 $6,592 $12,047 $517 $1,966
2006 $6,077 $11,250 $401 $1,810
2005 $5,837 $10,441 $334 $1,673
2004 $5,221 $9,714 $306 $1,550
2003 $4,062 $9,139 $233.6 $1,396
2002 $2,688 $8,792 $187 $1,257
2001 $2,847 $8,428 $168.7 $1,139
2000 $3,218 $8,095 $136.9 $1,036
1999 $3,242 $7,667 $175 $947
1998 $3,310 $7,463 $213.7 $905
1997 $3,700 $7,433 $150.1 $855
1996 $3,618 $7,208 $172 $836
1995 $3,856 $6,875 $207 $1,006
1994 $3,489 $6,611 $261.3 $1,148
1993 $3,400 $6,375 $287.6 $1,454
1992 $3,462 $6,275 $338 $1,721
1991 $3,243 $6,383 $458 $2,417
1990 $3,093 $6,382 $487 $2,583
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/tajikistan | CC BY

South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,267, ranking 111/197, compared to $1,341 in Tajikistan, ranking 166/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while Tajikistan ranks 157th at $5,406.

Economic indicators

South Africa Tajikistan
Gross domestic product
$401B
2024
$14.2B
2024
GDP rank
40/197
2024
145/197
2024
GDP growth
0.53%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,267
2024
$1,341
2024
GDP per capita rank
111/197
2024
166/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$5,406
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
112/197
2024
157/197
2024
Government debt
$305B
2024
$3.54B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76%
2024
24.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,761
2024
$335
2024
Government debt per person rank
83/185
2024
175/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$15,431
2026
$2,591
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
28.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
0.9%
2014
2.9%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
27.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.36%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
0.08%
2016
Population
65683993
11038274

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Africa
Spending

Debt
Tajikistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Africa Tajikistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33% 76% 27.7% 24.9%
2023 32.5% 73.2% 28% 29.9%
2022 31.9% 70.7% 27.4% 31.8%
2021 32.7% 68.8% 27.6% 42%
2020 34.6% 68.9% 29.2% 50.9%
2019 31.4% 56.1% 28.8% 43.2%
2018 30.2% 51.5% 30.9% 46.3%
2017 29.9% 48.6% 33.8% 46.3%
2016 29.9% 47.1% 32.7% 42.2%
2015 30.2% 45.2% 31.9% 35%
2014 29.3% 43.3% 27.5% 27.9%
2013 28.9% 40.4% 27.7% 29.3%
2012 28.6% 37.4% 24.7% 32.5%
2011 28.1% 34.7% 24.3% 35.5%
2010 28.3% 31.2% 25.9% 36.8%
2009 28.5% 27% 23.6% 36.9%
2008 26% 24% 20.2% 30.2%
2007 24.4% 24.3% 20.3% 34.3%
2006 24.7% 28% 21.6% 36.8%
2005 25.1% 29.6% 22.9% 45.8%
2004 22.7% 30.7% 20.2% 49.4%
2003 22.6% 31.5% 19.1% 69.8%
2002 22.2% 31.8% 19.1% 98.3%
2001 22.6% 38% 17.3% 99.4%
2000 22.6% 37.9% 18.1% 111.4%
1999 26.7% 45.9% 17.5% 107.8%
1998 27.1% 45.8% 17.1% 96.6%
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) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Africa's government spending was $132B, accounting for 33% of its GDP, while Tajikistan spent $3.93B, or 27.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76% in South Africa and 24.9% in Tajikistan, ranking 48/185 and 166/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Africa

Tajikistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Africa Tajikistan
2024 -5.79% 0.28%
2023 -5.55% -0.93%
2022 -4.25% -0.23%
2021 -5.54% -0.64%
2020 -9.62% -4.34%
2019 -5.07% -2.04%
2018 -3.73% -2.69%
2017 -4.02% -5.65%
2016 -3.72% -2.91%
2015 -4.37% -1.96%
2014 -3.93% 0.92%
2013 -3.9% -0.73%
2012 -4.04% 0.41%
2011 -3.7% 0.6%
2010 -4.51% -2.71%
2009 -4.67% -0.2%
2008 -0.49% 1.94%
2007 1.22% 2.13%
2006 0.81% 2%
2005 -0.1% -2.83%
2004 -1.04% -2.32%
2003 -1.59% -1.74%
2002 -0.96% -2.4%
2001 -1.02% -2.11%
2000 -1.38% -4.51%
1999 -2.21% -4.03%
1998 -2.56% -5.09%
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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Africa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $23.2B, equivalent to 5.79% of GDP. This compares to Tajikistan's surplus of $39.2M, or 0.28% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tajikistan ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Tajikistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Africa

Tajikistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Africa Tajikistan
2024 4.36% 3.5%
2023 6.08% 3.7%
2022 7.04% 6.6%
2021 4.62% 9%
2020 3.23% 8.6%
2019 4.1% 7.8%
2018 4.51% 3.8%
2017 5.19% 7.3%
2016 6.6% 5.9%
2015 4.52% 5.8%
2014 6.13% 6.1%
2013 5.78% 5%
2012 5.74% 5.8%
2011 5% 12.4%
2010 4.07% 6.5%
2009 7.24% 6.4%
2008 9.91% 20.4%
2007 6.18% 13.2%
2006 3.24% 10%
2005 2.06% 7.3%
2004 -0.69% 7.2%
2003 5.68% 16.4%
2002 9.49% 12.2%
2001 5.7% 38.6%
2000 5.34% 32.9%
1999 5.18% 27.5%
1998 6.88% 43.2%
1997 8.6% 88%

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/south-africa/tajikistan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.42%, compared with 15% in Tajikistan. In 2024, inflation was 4.36% in South Africa and 3.5% in Tajikistan.

Top exports between countries

South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $263K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Chemicals & pharma $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Tajikistan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $56K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

South Africa Tajikistan
Current account balance
-$2.58B
2024
$887M
2024
Current account balance ranking
152/190
2024
54/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.64%
2024
+6.24%
2024
Goods imports
$99.8B
2024
$5.94B
2024
Goods exports
$112B
2024
$1.42B
2024
Service imports
$20B
2024
$971M
2024
Service exports
$16.1B
2024
$195M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
48.4%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
17.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

South Africa Tajikistan
Economic freedom 58.6 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 110/197 147/197
Property rights 48.8 28.4
Government integrity 46.7 18.5
Judicial effectiveness 64.6 10.1
Tax burden 65.4 94.2
Government spending 68.4 77
Fiscal health 45.3 98.6
Business freedom 67.9 60.6
Labor freedom 70.8 43.4
Monetary freedom 75.8 72.6
Trade freedom 68.8 72.2
Investment freedom 40 25
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Africa
Tajikistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Africa Tajikistan
2026 58.6 52.5
2025 57.3 51.5
2024 55.3 51.3
2023 55.7 50.6
2022 56.2 49.7
2021 59.7 55.2
2020 58.8 52.2
2019 58.3 55.6
2018 63 58.3
2017 62.3 58.2
2016 61.9 51.3
2015 62.6 52.7
2014 62.5 52
2013 61.8 53.4
2012 62.7 53.4
2011 62.7 53.5
2010 62.8 53
2009 63.8 54.6
2008 63.4 54.4
2007 63.5 53.6
2006 63.7 52.6
2005 62.9 50.4
2004 66.3 48.7
2003 67.1 46.5
2002 64 47.3
2001 63.8 46.8
2000 63.7 44.8
1999 63.3 41.2
1998 64.3 41.1
1997 63.2 -
1996 62.5 -
1995 60.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for South Africa is 58.6, ranking 110/197, compared to 52.5 for Tajikistan, ranking 147/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Africa Tajikistan
Services, % of GDP
63%
2024
34.7%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
33.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
22.9%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$391B
2024
$17.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,150
2024
$7,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$65.4B
2024
$3.3B
2023
Total reserves ranking
36/177
2024
117/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.59B
2024
-$190M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.33B
2024
$291M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
$101M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.74%
2024
3.07%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
55.5%
2014
19.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.1%
2024
31.7%
2023

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/tajikistan | 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 (1998–2024, 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 (2022–2024, 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.