South Africa has a GDP of $427B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 40/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.
South Africa has $336B in government debt (78.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
| 2025 | $427,184,325,997 | - |
| 2024 | $401,144,998,374 | $552,324,919,096 |
| 2023 | $381,440,724,491 | $522,622,268,401 |
| 2022 | $407,596,043,068 | $511,403,404,642 |
| 2021 | $419,986,284,375 | $422,441,282,436 |
| 2020 | $337,974,655,408 | $357,161,776,271 |
| 2019 | $389,330,032,224 | $433,926,218,686 |
| 2018 | $405,260,723,893 | $440,560,003,161 |
| 2017 | $381,448,814,653 | $403,365,056,079 |
| 2016 | $323,585,509,674 | $381,717,208,621 |
| 2015 | $346,709,790,459 | $381,973,135,513 |
| 2014 | $381,198,869,776 | $424,935,834,104 |
| 2013 | $400,886,013,596 | $409,632,574,703 |
| 2012 | $434,400,545,086 | $392,793,559,051 |
| 2011 | $458,199,494,831 | $368,881,033,963 |
| 2010 | $417,363,822,802 | $307,736,348,527 |
| 2009 | $329,754,060,647 | $253,547,358,747 |
| 2008 | $316,131,258,616 | $315,474,615,741 |
| 2007 | $333,077,117,254 | $257,916,148,767 |
| 2006 | $303,858,675,364 | $222,116,532,963 |
| 2005 | $288,867,217,197 | $180,617,467,954 |
| 2004 | $255,806,908,595 | $147,824,249,958 |
| 2003 | $197,018,965,309 | $124,346,476,180 |
| 2002 | $129,087,556,612 | $109,816,091,079 |
| 2001 | $135,429,905,923 | $103,311,631,797 |
| 2000 | $151,752,757,215 | $104,337,463,730 |
| 1999 | $151,516,957,079 | $84,445,399,335 |
| 1998 | $152,982,984,557 | $75,674,384,205 |
| 1997 | $168,978,057,328 | $78,838,886,862 |
| 1996 | $163,234,925,381 | $73,571,217,377 |
| 1995 | $171,735,933,897 | $65,743,604,966 |
| 1994 | $153,512,712,382 | $59,305,111,228 |
| 1993 | $147,194,747,566 | $55,625,269,485 |
| 1992 | $146,956,150,987 | $54,239,188,746 |
| 1991 | $135,203,698,238 | $51,552,058,250 |
| 1990 | $126,048,140,142 | $50,701,374,187 |
| 1989 | $108,055,624,082 | $41,464,966,302 |
| 1988 | $103,976,831,871 | $36,275,613,877 |
| 1987 | $96,535,763,418 | $36,384,802,310 |
| 1986 | $73,354,771,399 | $33,943,568,481 |
| 1985 | $64,459,376,087 | $40,603,631,079 |
| 1984 | $84,870,163,366 | $41,807,931,453 |
| 1983 | $96,204,110,942 | $42,803,373,390 |
| 1982 | $85,904,057,409 | $46,622,715,281 |
| 1981 | $93,141,472,164 | $49,333,471,895 |
| 1980 | $89,411,864,402 | $43,599,134,193 |
| 1979 | $63,038,658,089 | $31,225,557,022 |
| 1978 | $51,607,412,902 | $23,775,718,541 |
| 1977 | $45,328,411,332 | $24,871,660,292 |
| 1976 | $41,150,460,288 | $19,213,212,475 |
| 1975 | $42,906,905,672 | $14,720,729,969 |
| 1974 | $41,389,186,095 | $11,651,505,689 |
| 1973 | $33,262,772,008 | $4,231,243,616 |
| 1972 | $24,515,919,217 | $1,415,086,929 |
| 1971 | $23,411,076,638 | $939,893,600 |
| 1970 | $21,218,391,513 | $685,986,701 |
| 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/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY 
GDP per capita in South Africa vs United Arab Emirates by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $6,598 | - | - | - |
| 2024 | $6,267 | $15,456 | $50,274 | $79,229 |
| 2023 | $6,034 | $15,200 | $49,851 | $77,955 |
| 2022 | $6,534 | $14,749 | $50,760 | $75,072 |
| 2021 | $6,829 | $13,682 | $44,118 | $68,580 |
| 2020 | $5,581 | $12,671 | $37,992 | $66,791 |
| 2019 | $6,534 | $13,361 | $45,939 | $79,816 |
| 2018 | $6,914 | $13,347 | $47,135 | $77,446 |
| 2017 | $6,618 | $13,738 | $43,734 | $70,282 |
| 2016 | $5,651 | $13,519 | $42,721 | $69,987 |
| 2015 | $6,112 | $13,398 | $44,910 | $73,986 |
| 2014 | $6,857 | $13,359 | $52,725 | $87,478 |
| 2013 | $7,332 | $13,369 | $53,247 | $87,526 |
| 2012 | $8,077 | $12,987 | $53,142 | $89,198 |
| 2011 | $8,646 | $13,143 | $51,922 | $89,665 |
| 2010 | $7,973 | $12,637 | $44,795 | $85,120 |
| 2009 | $6,375 | $12,261 | $37,803 | $84,780 |
| 2008 | $6,185 | $12,525 | $50,054 | $94,628 |
| 2007 | $6,592 | $12,047 | $45,855 | $100,813 |
| 2006 | $6,077 | $11,250 | $44,343 | $106,814 |
| 2005 | $5,837 | $10,441 | $38,719 | $101,301 |
| 2004 | $5,221 | $9,714 | $33,377 | $98,661 |
| 2003 | $4,062 | $9,139 | $29,660 | $92,636 |
| 2002 | $2,688 | $8,792 | $27,754 | $88,467 |
| 2001 | $2,847 | $8,428 | $27,745 | $90,370 |
| 2000 | $3,218 | $8,095 | $29,866 | $92,899 |
| 1999 | $3,242 | $7,667 | $25,856 | $87,658 |
| 1998 | $3,310 | $7,463 | $24,889 | $90,229 |
| 1997 | $3,700 | $7,433 | $27,983 | $96,009 |
| 1996 | $3,618 | $7,208 | $28,323 | $94,620 |
| 1995 | $3,856 | $6,875 | $27,003 | $93,702 |
| 1994 | $3,489 | $6,611 | $25,473 | $89,959 |
| 1993 | $3,400 | $6,375 | $25,033 | $86,330 |
| 1992 | $3,462 | $6,275 | $25,648 | $87,509 |
| 1991 | $3,243 | $6,383 | $25,691 | $87,250 |
| 1990 | $3,093 | $6,382 | $26,710 | $88,455 |
| 1989 | $2,727 | - | $23,167 | - |
| 1988 | $2,702 | - | $21,570 | - |
| 1987 | $2,586 | - | $23,113 | - |
| 1986 | $2,027 | - | $23,132 | - |
| 1985 | $1,839 | - | $29,468 | - |
| 1984 | $2,504 | - | $32,012 | - |
| 1983 | $2,938 | - | $34,650 | - |
| 1982 | $2,717 | - | $39,972 | - |
| 1981 | $3,050 | - | $44,855 | - |
| 1980 | $3,029 | - | $42,925 | - |
| 1979 | $2,202 | - | $34,238 | - |
| 1978 | $1,852 | - | $29,379 | - |
| 1977 | $1,671 | - | $35,020 | - |
| 1976 | $1,559 | - | $31,197 | - |
| 1975 | $1,670 | - | $27,117 | - |
| 1974 | $1,656 | - | $23,823 | - |
| 1973 | $1,369 | - | $9,696 | - |
| 1972 | $1,038 | - | $3,675 | - |
| 1971 | $1,020 | - | $2,805 | - |
| 1970 | $952 | - | $2,394 | - |
| 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/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 109/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.
Economic indicators
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$427B
2025 |
$552B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
40/197
2025 |
31/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
1.11%
2024-2025 |
3.99%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$6,598
2025 |
$50,274
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
109/197
2025 |
25/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$15,456
2024 |
$79,229
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
112/197
2024 |
16/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$336B
2025 |
$193B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
78.6%
2025 |
34.3%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$5,189
2025 |
$17,568
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
84/185
2025 |
37/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$4,738
2026 |
$40,096
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$1.4T
2025 |
$1.11T
2025 |
| Number of millionaires |
97,000
2026 |
183,000
2026 |
| Number of billionaires |
7
2026 |
6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
42.1%
2022 |
20.5%
2018 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.4%
2022 |
2.8%
2018 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
34.2%
2025 |
22.6%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
3.21%
2024-2025 |
1.3%
2024-2025 |
| Central bank interest rate |
7%
2026 |
3.65%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
32.3%
2024 |
1.88%
2024 |
| Population |
65829368
|
11885001
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2025 | 34.2% | 78.6% | 22.6% | 34.3% |
| 2024 | 33% | 76% | 21.4% | 34.9% |
| 2023 | 32.5% | 73.2% | 22.7% | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 31.9% | 70.7% | 22.7% | 31.5% |
| 2021 | 32.7% | 68.8% | 25.9% | 35.7% |
| 2020 | 34.6% | 68.9% | 30.5% | 30.1% |
| 2019 | 31.4% | 56.1% | 27.4% | 25.8% |
| 2018 | 30.2% | 51.5% | 25.9% | 20.7% |
| 2017 | 29.9% | 48.6% | 27.2% | 21.2% |
| 2016 | 29.9% | 47.1% | 31.7% | 18.6% |
| 2015 | 30.2% | 45.2% | 26.4% | 15.6% |
| 2014 | 29.3% | 43.3% | 31.4% | 13.5% |
| 2013 | 28.9% | 40.4% | 28.9% | 15.3% |
| 2012 | 28.6% | 37.4% | 27.8% | 20.2% |
| 2011 | 28.1% | 34.7% | 29.6% | 20.4% |
| 2010 | 28.3% | 31.2% | 30.4% | 18.3% |
| 2009 | 28.5% | 27% | 35% | 21.1% |
| 2008 | 26% | 24% | 22% | 8.95% |
| 2007 | 24.4% | 24.3% | 17.7% | 8.89% |
| 2006 | 24.7% | 28% | 15.6% | 5.05% |
| 2005 | 25.1% | 29.6% | 15.7% | 4.48% |
| 2004 | 22.7% | 30.7% | 17.7% | 4.08% |
| 2003 | 22.6% | 31.5% | 20% | 3.33% |
| 2002 | 22.2% | 31.8% | 21.3% | 3.43% |
| 2001 | 22.6% | 38% | 25.2% | 2.69% |
| 2000 | 22.6% | 37.9% | 21.8% | 3.12% |
| 1999 | 26.7% | 45.9% | 24.3% | 4.73% |
| 1998 | 27.1% | 45.8% | 25.8% | 4.18% |
| 1997 | 27.9% | 45.8% | 22.6% | 2.86% |
| 1996 | 28.5% | 44.3% | 27.6% | 3.48% |
| 1995 | 27.2% | 47% | 26.1% | 5.06% |
| 1994 | 31.3% | 46.4% | 30.1% | 5.58% |
| 1993 | 29.1% | 39.8% | 31.5% | 6.01% |
| 1992 | 29.8% | 34.8% | 29.6% | 5.31% |
| 1991 | 27.8% | 34.7% | 36% | 4.97% |
| 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
In 2025, South Africa's government spending was $146B, accounting for 34.2% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.6% in South Africa and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 46/185 and 146/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
| 2025 | -5.78% | 5.15% |
| 2024 | -5.67% | 6.41% |
| 2023 | -5.6% | 5.82% |
| 2022 | -4.25% | 9.8% |
| 2021 | -5.54% | 3.96% |
| 2020 | -9.62% | -2.42% |
| 2019 | -5.07% | 2.5% |
| 2018 | -3.73% | 3.65% |
| 2017 | -4.02% | -0.16% |
| 2016 | -3.72% | -2.95% |
| 2015 | -4.37% | -6.35% |
| 2014 | -3.93% | 1.74% |
| 2013 | -3.9% | 7.99% |
| 2012 | -4.04% | 8.59% |
| 2011 | -3.7% | 5.05% |
| 2010 | -4.51% | 0.52% |
| 2009 | -4.67% | -6.13% |
| 2008 | -0.49% | 17.6% |
| 2007 | 1.22% | 17.1% |
| 2006 | 0.81% | 20.2% |
| 2005 | -0.1% | 16% |
| 2004 | -1.04% | 6.4% |
| 2003 | -1.59% | 2.35% |
| 2002 | -0.96% | -1.24% |
| 2001 | -1.02% | 1.21% |
| 2000 | -1.38% | 10.7% |
| 1999 | -2.21% | 1.31% |
| 1998 | -2.56% | 1% |
| 1997 | -4.08% | 6.71% |
| 1996 | -4.53% | 0.92% |
| 1995 | -4.38% | 3.58% |
| 1994 | -8.09% | -1.78% |
| 1993 | -8.54% | -2.89% |
| 1992 | -7.09% | 3.34% |
| 1991 | -4.85% | 3.89% |
| 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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
In 2024, South Africa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $22.7B, equivalent to 5.67% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.
Over the past 34 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.74% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
| 2025 | 3.21% | 1.3% |
| 2024 | 4.36% | 1.7% |
| 2023 | 6.08% | 1.6% |
| 2022 | 7.04% | 4.8% |
| 2021 | 4.62% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 3.23% | -2.1% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 4.51% | 3.1% |
| 2017 | 5.19% | 2% |
| 2016 | 6.6% | 1.6% |
| 2015 | 4.52% | 4.1% |
| 2014 | 6.13% | 2.3% |
| 2013 | 5.78% | 1.1% |
| 2012 | 5.74% | 0.7% |
| 2011 | 5% | 0.9% |
| 2010 | 4.07% | 0.9% |
| 2009 | 7.24% | -4.7% |
| 2008 | 9.91% | 12.3% |
| 2007 | 6.18% | 11.1% |
| 2006 | 3.24% | 9.3% |
| 2005 | 2.06% | 6.2% |
| 2004 | -0.69% | 5% |
| 2003 | 5.68% | 3.1% |
| 2002 | 9.49% | 2.9% |
| 2001 | 5.7% | 2.8% |
| 2000 | 5.34% | 1.3% |
| 1999 | 5.18% | 2.1% |
| 1998 | 6.88% | 2% |
| 1997 | 8.6% | 3% |
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/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
Over the past 29 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.34%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.21% in South Africa and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Top exports between countries
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $1.25B |
| Raw agricultural goods | $467M |
| Machinery & equipment | $450M |
| Raw materials & minerals | $325M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $143M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $105M |
| Metals | $93.3M |
| Animal & marine products | $68.2M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $59.1M |
| Wood & paper products | $20.5M |
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Raw materials & minerals | $601M |
| Machinery & equipment | $575M |
| Metals | $561M |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $467M |
| Chemicals & pharma | $120M |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $53.7M |
| Wood & paper products | $48.5M |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $28.4M |
| Raw agricultural goods | $9.48M |
| Miscellaneous | $616K |
Balance of trade
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$1.81B
2025 |
$80B
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
135/190
2025 |
9/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-0.42%
2025 |
+14.5%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$104B
2025 |
$400B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$116B
2025 |
$467B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$21.8B
2025 |
$117B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$18.1B
2025 |
$181B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
29.5%
2025 |
92.2%
2023 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
31.4%
2025 |
106.8%
2023 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 58.6 | 71.9 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 110/197 | 29/197 |
| Property rights | 48.8 | 62.9 |
| Government integrity | 46.7 | 65.3 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 64.6 | 34.4 |
| Tax burden | 65.4 | 99.9 |
| Government spending | 68.4 | 85.1 |
| Fiscal health | 45.3 | 97.6 |
| Business freedom | 67.9 | 84.5 |
| Labor freedom | 70.8 | 63.2 |
| Monetary freedom | 75.8 | 81.2 |
| Trade freedom | 68.8 | 78.6 |
| Investment freedom | 40 | 50 |
| Financial freedom | 40 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
| 2026 | 58.6 | 71.9 |
| 2025 | 57.3 | 71.6 |
| 2024 | 55.3 | 71.1 |
| 2023 | 55.7 | 70.9 |
| 2022 | 56.2 | 70.2 |
| 2021 | 59.7 | 76.9 |
| 2020 | 58.8 | 76.2 |
| 2019 | 58.3 | 77.6 |
| 2018 | 63 | 77.6 |
| 2017 | 62.3 | 76.9 |
| 2016 | 61.9 | 72.6 |
| 2015 | 62.6 | 72.4 |
| 2014 | 62.5 | 71.4 |
| 2013 | 61.8 | 71.1 |
| 2012 | 62.7 | 69.3 |
| 2011 | 62.7 | 67.8 |
| 2010 | 62.8 | 67.3 |
| 2009 | 63.8 | 64.7 |
| 2008 | 63.4 | 62.6 |
| 2007 | 63.5 | 62.6 |
| 2006 | 63.7 | 62.2 |
| 2005 | 62.9 | 65.2 |
| 2004 | 66.3 | 67.2 |
| 2003 | 67.1 | 73.4 |
| 2002 | 64 | 73.6 |
| 2001 | 63.8 | 74.9 |
| 2000 | 63.7 | 74.2 |
| 1999 | 63.3 | 71.5 |
| 1998 | 64.3 | 72.2 |
| 1997 | 63.2 | 71.9 |
| 1996 | 62.5 | 71.6 |
| 1995 | 60.7 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for South Africa is 58.6, ranking 110/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
South Africa
|
UAE
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
63.1%
2025 |
54.9%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
24.1%
2025 |
44.3%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
2.83%
2025 |
0.77%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$406B
2025 |
$566B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$15,600
2025 |
$81,640
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$76B
2025 |
$292B
2025 |
| Total reserves ranking |
35/177
2025 |
14/177
2025 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$1.85B
2025 |
$31.5B
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$2.33B
2024 |
$45.6B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$1.26B
2024 |
$77.2B
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
5.74%
2024 |
n/a |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
37.9%
2022 |
19.5%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
13.9%
2025 |
26.6%
2023 |
GDP per capita map
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/south-africa/united-arab-emirates | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.