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Economy of South Africa vs Togo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Africa has a GDP of $401B compared to $10.7B for Togo, ranking 40/197 and 154/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Africa has $305B in government debt (76% of GDP), compared to $7.68B (72.1% of GDP) in Togo.

South Africa vs Togo GDP by year

South Africa
Togo
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Africa Togo
2024 $401,144,998,374 $10,651,180,147
2023 $381,440,724,491 $9,816,236,303
2022 $407,596,043,068 $8,646,453,099
2021 $419,986,284,375 $8,541,668,141
2020 $337,974,655,408 $7,486,031,562
2019 $389,330,032,224 $6,992,654,019
2018 $405,260,723,893 $7,029,215,766
2017 $381,448,814,653 $6,387,424,240
2016 $323,585,509,674 $6,071,167,584
2015 $346,709,790,459 $5,755,457,836
2014 $381,198,869,776 $6,393,314,708
2013 $400,886,013,596 $6,021,729,630
2012 $434,400,545,086 $5,413,541,649
2011 $458,199,494,831 $5,422,439,152
2010 $417,363,822,802 $4,746,386,893
2009 $329,754,060,647 $4,721,888,275
2008 $316,131,258,616 $4,578,847,113
2007 $333,077,117,254 $3,759,962,853
2006 $303,858,675,364 $3,320,907,722
2005 $288,867,217,197 $3,221,910,408
2004 $255,806,908,595 $3,191,561,509
2003 $197,018,965,309 $2,987,984,051
2002 $129,087,556,612 $2,410,199,032
2001 $135,429,905,923 $2,093,498,674
2000 $151,752,757,215 $2,106,848,752
1999 $151,516,957,079 $2,226,577,204
1998 $152,982,984,557 $2,241,650,112
1997 $168,978,057,328 $2,116,818,623
1996 $163,234,925,381 $2,069,506,014
1995 $171,735,933,897 $1,849,110,468
1994 $153,512,712,382 $1,387,662,121
1993 $147,194,747,566 $1,741,944,426
1992 $146,956,150,987 $2,390,796,916
1991 $135,203,698,238 $2,262,767,860
1990 $126,048,140,142 $2,299,665,506
1989 $108,055,624,082 $1,910,635,575
1988 $103,976,831,871 $1,947,208,354
1987 $96,535,763,418 $1,763,978,066
1986 $73,354,771,399 $1,498,219,579
1985 $64,459,376,087 $1,076,604,520
1984 $84,870,163,366 $1,014,170,069
1983 $96,204,110,942 $1,081,387,265
1982 $85,904,057,409 $1,160,337,039
1981 $93,141,472,164 $1,359,026,709
1980 $89,411,864,402 $1,604,836,916
1979 $63,038,658,089 $1,259,365,712
1978 $51,607,412,902 $1,164,025,637
1977 $45,328,411,332 $1,097,893,826
1976 $41,150,460,288 $874,681,612
1975 $42,906,905,672 $871,781,687
1974 $41,389,186,095 $791,450,308
1973 $33,262,772,008 $574,030,984
1972 $24,515,919,217 $474,043,922
1971 $23,411,076,638 $404,648,368
1970 $21,218,391,513 $358,665,754
1969 $19,256,992,297 $378,091,810
1968 $17,124,793,150 $341,691,567
1967 $15,821,393,671 $327,215,844
1966 $14,211,394,315 $305,227,595
1965 $13,068,994,772 $264,505,506
1964 $11,955,995,218 $234,572,186
1963 $10,854,195,658 $202,305,865
1962 $9,813,996,074 $186,745,758
1961 $9,225,996,310 $178,497,098
1960 $8,748,596,501 $171,057,069

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in South Africa vs Togo by year

South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Togo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Africa Togo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,267 $15,456 $1,119 $3,365
2023 $6,034 $15,200 $1,055 $3,154
2022 $6,534 $14,749 $951 $2,935
2021 $6,829 $13,682 $962 $2,639
2020 $5,581 $12,671 $863 $2,384
2019 $6,534 $13,361 $826 $2,215
2018 $6,914 $13,347 $851 $2,067
2017 $6,618 $13,738 $793 $1,986
2016 $5,651 $13,519 $773 $1,933
2015 $6,112 $13,398 $751 $1,880
2014 $6,857 $13,359 $856 $1,803
2013 $7,332 $13,369 $827 $1,715
2012 $8,077 $12,987 $762 $1,645
2011 $8,646 $13,143 $784 $1,616
2010 $7,973 $12,637 $705 $1,537
2009 $6,375 $12,261 $721 $1,474
2008 $6,185 $12,525 $719 $1,429
2007 $6,592 $12,047 $608 $1,387
2006 $6,077 $11,250 $553 $1,407
2005 $5,837 $10,441 $551 $1,368
2004 $5,221 $9,714 $560 $1,427
2003 $4,062 $9,139 $538 $1,440
2002 $2,688 $8,792 $445 $1,357
2001 $2,847 $8,428 $397 $1,320
2000 $3,218 $8,095 $410 $1,315
1999 $3,242 $7,667 $445 $1,332
1998 $3,310 $7,463 $461 $1,318
1997 $3,700 $7,433 $448 $1,373
1996 $3,618 $7,208 $452 $1,218
1995 $3,856 $6,875 $419 $1,140
1994 $3,489 $6,611 $329 $1,082
1993 $3,400 $6,375 $414 $925
1992 $3,462 $6,275 $565 $1,057
1991 $3,243 $6,383 $550 $1,107
1990 $3,093 $6,382 $575 $1,110
1989 $2,727 - $492 -
1988 $2,702 - $517 -
1987 $2,586 - $482 -
1986 $2,027 - $422 -
1985 $1,839 - $313 -
1984 $2,504 - $304 -
1983 $2,938 - $336 -
1982 $2,717 - $372 -
1981 $3,050 - $451 -
1980 $3,029 - $549 -
1979 $2,202 - $443 -
1978 $1,852 - $421 -
1977 $1,671 - $406 -
1976 $1,559 - $332 -
1975 $1,670 - $339 -
1974 $1,656 - $315 -
1973 $1,369 - $234.4 -
1972 $1,038 - $198.8 -
1971 $1,020 - $174.6 -
1970 $952 - $159.8 -
1969 $891 - $174.7 -
1968 $817 - $164.3 -
1967 $779 - $163.9 -
1966 $722 - $159.1 -
1965 $685 - $142.7 -
1964 $646 - $130.1 -
1963 $605 - $114.6 -
1962 $563 - $107.8 -
1961 $546 - $104.8 -
1960 $532 - $102.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,267, ranking 111/197, compared to $1,119 in Togo, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while Togo ranks 173rd at $3,365.

Economic indicators

South Africa Togo
Gross domestic product
$401B
2024
$10.7B
2024
GDP rank
40/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP growth
0.53%
2023-2024
6.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,267
2024
$1,119
2024
GDP per capita rank
111/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$3,365
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
112/197
2024
173/197
2024
Government debt
$305B
2024
$7.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76%
2024
72.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,761
2024
$807
2024
Government debt per person rank
83/185
2024
149/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$15,431
2026
$1,661
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
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
0.9%
2014
2.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
26.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.36%
2023-2024
2.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
1.97%
2022
Population
65683993
9990340

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Africa
Spending

Debt
Togo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Africa Togo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33% 76% 26.4% 72.1%
2023 32.5% 73.2% 26.6% 68.6%
2022 31.9% 70.7% 26% 67%
2021 32.7% 68.8% 21.8% 64.9%
2020 34.6% 68.9% 23.7% 62.2%
2019 31.4% 56.1% 16.6% 54.9%
2018 30.2% 51.5% 18.8% 58%
2017 29.9% 48.6% 16.3% 57.1%
2016 29.9% 47.1% 22.9% 59.9%
2015 30.2% 45.2% 22.9% 52.4%
2014 29.3% 43.3% 21.9% 44.9%
2013 28.9% 40.4% 20.5% 41.1%
2012 28.6% 37.4% 19.1% 34.3%
2011 28.1% 34.7% 18.2% 37%
2010 28.3% 31.2% 15.1% 33.5%
2009 28.5% 27% 14.3% 57.6%
2008 26% 24% 12.4% 67.3%
2007 24.4% 24.3% 13.7% 70.5%
2006 24.7% 28% 14.7% 67.7%
2005 25.1% 29.6% 13.3% 63.1%
2004 22.7% 30.7% 10.6% 48.7%
2003 22.6% 31.5% 8.88% 50%
2002 22.2% 31.8% 8.42% 54.8%
2001 22.6% 38% 10.9% 68.5%
2000 22.6% 37.9% 11.9% 66.5%
1999 26.7% 45.9% 11.9% 59.9%
1998 27.1% 45.8% 12.8% 62.8%
1997 27.9% 45.8% 10.6% 54.4%
1996 28.5% 44.3% 12.4% 60.4%
1995 27.2% 47% 12.7% 64.8%
1994 31.3% 46.4% 13.2% 79%
1993 29.1% 39.8% 14.8% 58.3%
1992 29.8% 34.8% 12.6% 45%
1991 27.8% 34.7% 14.6% 46.9%
1990 28.7% 31.8% 16.8% 44.7%
1989 29.6% 33.3% 16.9% 46.3%
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 (1960–2004, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Africa's government spending was $132B, accounting for 33% of its GDP, while Togo spent $2.81B, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76% in South Africa and 72.1% in Togo, ranking 48/185 and 54/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Africa

Togo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Africa Togo
2024 -5.79% -7.43%
2023 -5.55% -6.73%
2022 -4.25% -8.33%
2021 -5.54% -4.65%
2020 -9.62% -7.05%
2019 -5.07% 1.67%
2018 -3.73% -0.59%
2017 -4.02% -0.21%
2016 -3.72% -7.02%
2015 -4.37% -7.04%
2014 -3.93% -7.11%
2013 -3.9% -5.08%
2012 -4.04% -4.63%
2011 -3.7% -4.48%
2010 -4.51% -1.66%
2009 -4.67% -2.63%
2008 -0.49% -0.59%
2007 1.22% -1.83%
2006 0.81% -1.94%
2005 -0.1% -1.67%
2004 -1.04% 0.61%
2003 -1.59% 1.43%
2002 -0.96% -0.28%
2001 -1.02% -0.72%
2000 -1.38% -3.45%
1999 -2.21% -1.76%
1998 -2.56% -3.25%
1997 -4.08% -0.98%
1996 -4.53% -3.26%
1995 -4.38% -2.97%
1994 -8.09% -5.37%
1993 -8.54% -8.46%
1992 -7.09% -2.27%
1991 -4.85% -3.52%
1990 -3.82% -1.65%
1989 -8.3% -2.18%
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/south-africa/togo | 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 Togo's deficit of $791M, or 7.43% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Togo ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.25% of GDP for Togo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Africa

Togo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Africa Togo
2024 4.36% 2.86%
2023 6.08% 5.49%
2022 7.04% 7.97%
2021 4.62% 4.19%
2020 3.23% 1.7%
2019 4.1% 0.67%
2018 4.51% 0.93%
2017 5.19% -0.98%
2016 6.6% 1.29%
2015 4.52% 2.59%
2014 6.13% 0.19%
2013 5.78% 1.83%
2012 5.74% 2.58%
2011 5% 3.56%
2010 4.07% 1.45%
2009 7.24% 3.71%
2008 9.91% 8.69%
2007 6.18% 0.95%
2006 3.24% 2.23%
2005 2.06% 6.78%
2004 -0.69% 0.39%
2003 5.68% -0.93%
2002 9.49% 3.06%
2001 5.7% 3.92%
2000 5.34% 1.86%
1999 5.18% -0.05%
1998 6.88% 0.98%
1997 8.6% 8.25%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.42%, compared with 2.72% in Togo. In 2024, inflation was 4.36% in South Africa and 2.86% in Togo.

Top exports between countries

South Africa
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $10.6M
Machinery & equipment $8.26M
Chemicals & pharma $3.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.66M
Metals $2.52M
Wood & paper products $1.68M
Raw materials & minerals $1.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.16M
Animal & marine products $146K
Miscellaneous $86K
Togo
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $5.33M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.01M
Machinery & equipment $956K
Metals $395K
Chemicals & pharma $253K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60K
Wood & paper products $23K
Miscellaneous $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

South Africa Togo
Current account balance
-$2.58B
2024
-$20.7M
2020
Current account balance ranking
152/190
2024
79/190
2020
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.64%
2024
-0.28%
2020
Goods imports
$99.8B
2024
$1.95B
2020
Goods exports
$112B
2024
$1.21B
2020
Service imports
$20B
2024
$438M
2020
Service exports
$16.1B
2024
$514M
2020
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
38.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
24.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Africa Togo
Economic freedom 58.6 51.6
Economic freedom ranking 110/197 153/197
Property rights 48.8 43.6
Government integrity 46.7 33.3
Judicial effectiveness 64.6 34
Tax burden 65.4 68.9
Government spending 68.4 79.2
Fiscal health 45.3 9.6
Business freedom 67.9 60.1
Labor freedom 70.8 51.9
Monetary freedom 75.8 72.5
Trade freedom 68.8 65.8
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Africa
Togo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Africa Togo
2026 58.6 51.6
2025 57.3 52.3
2024 55.3 50.9
2023 55.7 55.3
2022 56.2 57.2
2021 59.7 57.5
2020 58.8 54.1
2019 58.3 50.3
2018 63 47.8
2017 62.3 53.2
2016 61.9 53.6
2015 62.6 53
2014 62.5 49.9
2013 61.8 48.8
2012 62.7 48.3
2011 62.7 49.1
2010 62.8 47.1
2009 63.8 48.7
2008 63.4 48.9
2007 63.5 49.7
2006 63.7 47.3
2005 62.9 48.2
2004 66.3 47
2003 67.1 46.8
2002 64 45.2
2001 63.8 45.3
2000 63.7 46.4
1999 63.3 48.2
1998 64.3 -
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/togo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for South Africa is 58.6, ranking 110/197, compared to 51.6 for Togo, ranking 153/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Africa Togo
Services, % of GDP
63%
2024
49.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
20.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2024
21.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$391B
2024
$10.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,150
2024
$3,380
2024
Total reserves including gold
$65.4B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
36/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.59B
2024
-$53.1M
2020
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.33B
2024
$83.8M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
-$73.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.74%
2024
3.21%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
55.5%
2014
43.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.1%
2024
20.8%
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/south-africa/togo | 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 (1913–2004, 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)

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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.