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Economy of South Africa vs Uzbekistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

South Africa has a GDP of $427B compared to $147B for Uzbekistan, ranking 40/197 and 61/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Africa has $336B in government debt (78.6% of GDP), compared to $42B (28.6% of GDP) in Uzbekistan.

South Africa vs Uzbekistan GDP by year

South Africa
Uzbekistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Africa Uzbekistan
2025 $427,184,325,997 $147,038,081,129
2024 $401,144,998,374 $121,356,065,241
2023 $381,440,724,491 $107,526,539,716
2022 $407,596,043,068 $94,286,355,836
2021 $419,986,284,375 $81,170,051,811
2020 $337,974,655,408 $70,127,127,133
2019 $389,330,032,224 $70,170,662,563
2018 $405,260,723,893 $61,318,332,403
2017 $381,448,814,653 $72,276,404,058
2016 $323,585,509,674 $97,871,364,319
2015 $346,709,790,459 $97,564,568,987
2014 $381,198,869,776 $91,303,765,114
2013 $400,886,013,596 $82,674,178,352
2012 $434,400,545,086 $75,318,846,931
2011 $458,199,494,831 $67,404,618,405
2010 $417,363,822,802 $55,544,226,553
2009 $329,754,060,647 $33,689,223,673
2008 $316,131,258,616 $29,549,438,884
2007 $333,077,117,254 $22,311,393,928
2006 $303,858,675,364 $17,330,833,853
2005 $288,867,217,197 $14,307,509,839
2004 $255,806,908,595 $12,030,023,548
2003 $197,018,965,309 $10,134,453,435
2002 $129,087,556,612 $9,687,788,513
2001 $135,429,905,923 $11,401,421,329
2000 $151,752,757,215 $13,760,513,969
1999 $151,516,957,079 $17,078,465,982
1998 $152,982,984,557 $14,988,971,211
1997 $168,978,057,328 $14,744,603,774
1996 $163,234,925,381 $13,948,892,216
1995 $171,735,933,897 $13,350,461,265
1994 $153,512,712,382 $12,899,074,922
1993 $147,194,747,566 $13,099,920,056
1992 $146,956,150,987 $12,953,801,760
1991 $135,203,698,238 $13,800,167,712
1990 $126,048,140,142 $13,362,340,338
1989 $108,055,624,082 $11,948,815,258
1988 $103,976,831,871 $10,722,799,639
1987 $96,535,763,418 $8,523,160,593
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in South Africa vs Uzbekistan by year

South Africa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uzbekistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Africa Uzbekistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,598 - $3,968 -
2024 $6,267 $15,456 $3,337 $11,879
2023 $6,034 $15,200 $3,016 $11,107
2022 $6,534 $14,749 $2,699 $10,293
2021 $6,829 $13,682 $2,370 $9,248
2020 $5,581 $12,671 $2,088 $8,452
2019 $6,534 $13,361 $2,129 $8,544
2018 $6,914 $13,347 $1,894 $8,129
2017 $6,618 $13,738 $2,271 $7,818
2016 $5,651 $13,519 $3,128 $6,919
2015 $6,112 $13,398 $3,173 $6,800
2014 $6,857 $13,359 $3,021 $6,610
2013 $7,332 $13,369 $2,781 $6,413
2012 $8,077 $12,987 $2,574 $6,168
2011 $8,646 $13,143 $2,339 $5,949
2010 $7,973 $12,637 $1,957 $5,505
2009 $6,375 $12,261 $1,206 $5,135
2008 $6,185 $12,525 $1,075 $4,800
2007 $6,592 $12,047 $824 $4,386
2006 $6,077 $11,250 $649 $3,956
2005 $5,837 $10,441 $543 $3,618
2004 $5,221 $9,714 $462 $3,321
2003 $4,062 $9,139 $394 $3,047
2002 $2,688 $8,792 $381 $2,902
2001 $2,847 $8,428 $454 $2,782
2000 $3,218 $8,095 $555 $2,644
1999 $3,242 $7,667 $698 $2,522
1998 $3,310 $7,463 $621 $2,418
1997 $3,700 $7,433 $621 $2,329
1996 $3,618 $7,208 $597 $2,214
1995 $3,856 $6,875 $583 $2,178
1994 $3,489 $6,611 $574 $2,197
1993 $3,400 $6,375 $596 $2,318
1992 $3,462 $6,275 $603 $2,371
1991 $3,243 $6,383 $658 $2,676
1990 $3,093 $6,382 $653 $2,665
1989 $2,727 - $598 -
1988 $2,702 - $551 -
1987 $2,586 - $450 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

South Africa's GDP per capita is $6,598, ranking 109/197, compared to $3,968 in Uzbekistan, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Africa ranks 112th at $15,456, while Uzbekistan ranks 125th at $11,879.

Economic indicators

South Africa Uzbekistan
Gross domestic product
$427B
2025
$147B
2025
GDP rank
40/197
2025
61/197
2025
GDP growth
1.11%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,598
2025
$3,968
2025
GDP per capita rank
109/197
2025
134/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,456
2024
$11,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
112/197
2024
125/197
2024
Government debt
$336B
2025
$42B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.6%
2025
28.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,189
2025
$1,134
2025
Government debt per person rank
84/185
2025
139/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,738
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.4T
2025
$23.7B
2025
Number of millionaires
97,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.1%
2022
24.2%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2022
2.4%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.2%
2025
27.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.21%
2024-2025
8.8%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7%
2026
14%
2025
Unemployment rate
32.3%
2024
5.29%
2020
Population
65829368
38082870

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Africa
Spending

Debt
Uzbekistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Africa Uzbekistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 34.2% 78.6% 27.4% 28.6%
2024 33% 76% 26.1% 30.9%
2023 32.5% 73.2% 28.6% 30.7%
2022 31.9% 70.7% 30% 29.2%
2021 32.7% 68.8% 26.1% 30.2%
2020 34.6% 68.9% 24.7% 31.9%
2019 31.4% 56.1% 23.4% 24.3%
2018 30.2% 51.5% 21.2% 16.7%
2017 29.9% 48.6% 19.9% 17.3%
2016 29.9% 47.1% 20.5% 7.21%
2015 30.2% 45.2% 21.7% 5.94%
2014 29.3% 43.3% 22% 5.39%
2013 28.9% 40.4% 22.3% 5.51%
2012 28.6% 37.4% 21.5% 6.06%
2011 28.1% 34.7% 21.1% 5.65%
2010 28.3% 31.2% 23.7% 5.92%
2009 28.5% 27% 24.7% 6.57%
2008 26% 24% 23.8% 7.5%
2007 24.4% 24.3% 22.4% 8.6%
2006 24.7% 28% 22.3% 12.2%
2005 25.1% 29.6% 25.3% 18.9%
2004 22.7% 30.7% 26.5% 24.2%
2003 22.6% 31.5% 28.4% 28.3%
2002 22.2% 31.8% 31.2% 37.5%
2001 22.6% 38% 27.6% 40.4%
2000 22.6% 37.9% 29.6% 26.5%
1999 26.7% 45.9% 30.3% 16.6%
1998 27.1% 45.8% 31.6% 16.2%
1997 27.9% 45.8% 28.7% 13.8%
1996 28.5% 44.3% 31.6% -
1995 27.2% 47% 26.5% -
1994 31.3% 46.4% 24.4% -
1993 29.1% 39.8% 35.6% -
1992 29.8% 34.8% 16.2% -
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 (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, South Africa's government spending was $146B, accounting for 34.2% of its GDP, while Uzbekistan spent $40.2B, or 27.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.6% in South Africa and 28.6% in Uzbekistan, ranking 46/185 and 159/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Africa

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Africa Uzbekistan
2025 -5.78% -1.66%
2024 -5.67% -2.25%
2023 -5.6% -3.85%
2022 -4.25% -3.49%
2021 -5.54% -3.9%
2020 -9.62% -2.8%
2019 -5.07% -0.29%
2018 -3.73% 1.57%
2017 -4.02% 1.04%
2016 -3.72% 0.62%
2015 -4.37% -0.24%
2014 -3.93% 1.68%
2013 -3.9% 1.9%
2012 -4.04% 5.28%
2011 -3.7% 4.56%
2010 -4.51% 2.29%
2009 -4.67% 1.64%
2008 -0.49% 5.38%
2007 1.22% 3.2%
2006 0.81% 2.45%
2005 -0.1% -3.17%
2004 -1.04% -3.37%
2003 -1.59% -4.39%
2002 -0.96% -5.69%
2001 -1.02% -2.95%
2000 -1.38% -3.29%
1999 -2.21% -2.62%
1998 -2.56% -2.74%
1997 -4.08% -1.85%
1996 -4.53% -1.41%
1995 -4.38% -1.59%
1994 -8.09% -4.03%
1993 -8.54% -10.8%
1992 -7.09% 6.44%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, South Africa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.7B, equivalent to 5.78% of GDP. This compares to Uzbekistan's deficit of $2.43B, or 1.66% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, South Africa recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Uzbekistan ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, South Africa posted an annual deficit equal to 3.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.83% of GDP for Uzbekistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Africa

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Africa Uzbekistan
2025 3.21% 8.8%
2024 4.36% 9.6%
2023 6.08% 10%
2022 7.04% 11.4%
2021 4.62% 10.8%
2020 3.23% 12.9%
2019 4.1% 14.5%
2018 4.51% 17.5%
2017 5.19% 13.9%
2016 6.6% 8.8%
2015 4.52% 8.5%
2014 6.13% 9.1%
2013 5.78% 11.7%
2012 5.74% 11.9%
2011 5% 12.4%
2010 4.07% 12.3%
2009 7.24% 12.3%
2008 9.91% 13.1%
2007 6.18% 11.2%
2006 3.24% 13.1%
2005 2.06% 10.7%
2004 -0.69% 7.3%
2003 5.68% 12.5%
2002 9.49% 27.3%
2001 5.7% 27.3%
2000 5.34% 25%
1999 5.18% 29.1%
1998 6.88% 29%
1997 8.6% 70.9%

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/uzbekistan | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, South Africa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.34%, compared with 16.3% in Uzbekistan. In 2025, inflation was 3.21% in South Africa and 8.8% in Uzbekistan.

Top exports between countries

South Africa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.46M
Raw agricultural goods $513K
Animal & marine products $131K
Chemicals & pharma $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Metals $15K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Wood & paper products $3K
Uzbekistan
Export category Export value
Metals $9.71M
Raw materials & minerals $796K
Textiles & consumer goods $764K
Machinery & equipment $451K
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Business & finance services $1K

Balance of trade

South Africa Uzbekistan
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2025
-$5.78B
2025
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2025
167/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.42%
2025
-3.93%
2025
Goods imports
$104B
2025
$38.5B
2025
Goods exports
$116B
2025
$23B
2025
Service imports
$21.8B
2025
$13.6B
2025
Service exports
$18.1B
2025
$9.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
35.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2025
22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

South Africa Uzbekistan
Economic freedom 58.6 60.3
Economic freedom ranking 110/197 94/197
Property rights 48.8 43.1
Government integrity 46.7 32
Judicial effectiveness 64.6 13.7
Tax burden 65.4 95
Government spending 68.4 73.7
Fiscal health 45.3 79.9
Business freedom 67.9 62.5
Labor freedom 70.8 48.4
Monetary freedom 75.8 65.1
Trade freedom 68.8 80.6
Investment freedom 40 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

South Africa
Uzbekistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
South Africa Uzbekistan
2026 58.6 60.3
2025 57.3 58
2024 55.3 55.9
2023 55.7 56.5
2022 56.2 55.7
2021 59.7 58.3
2020 58.8 57.2
2019 58.3 53.3
2018 63 51.5
2017 62.3 52.3
2016 61.9 46
2015 62.6 47
2014 62.5 46.5
2013 61.8 46
2012 62.7 45.8
2011 62.7 45.8
2010 62.8 47.5
2009 63.8 50.5
2008 63.4 51.9
2007 63.5 51.5
2006 63.7 48.7
2005 62.9 45.8
2004 66.3 39.1
2003 67.1 38.3
2002 64 38.5
2001 63.8 38.2
2000 63.7 38.1
1999 63.3 33.8
1998 64.3 31.5
1997 63.2 -
1996 62.5 -
1995 60.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for South Africa is 58.6, ranking 110/197, compared to 60.3 for Uzbekistan, ranking 94/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

South Africa Uzbekistan
Services, % of GDP
63.1%
2025
46.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
32.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.83%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$406B
2025
$136B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,600
2025
$13,640
2025
Total reserves including gold
$76B
2025
$41.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
35/177
2025
53/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.85B
2025
-$4.24B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.33B
2024
$2.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.26B
2024
$36.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.74%
2024
9.37%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.9%
2022
5.8%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13.9%
2025
33.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

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/uzbekistan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1913–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.