GDP (current US$) (UNESCO Institute) in South Africa
South Africa: GDP (current US$) (UNESCO Institute) was 400.26 billion current US$ in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
400.26 billion current US$
Change on year
up 5.1%
World rank
41st
of 211 countries
All-time high
458.20 billion current US$
in 2011
All-time low
21.22 billion current US$
in 1970
Years of data
55
1970–2024
GDP in South Africa, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gdp in South Africa is 400.26 billion current US$, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 5.1% on the previous year and up 5.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gdp in South Africa peaked at 458.20 billion current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 21.22 billion current US$, in 1970.
That places South Africa 41st out of 211 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
GDP (current US$) (UNESCO Institute) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 21.22 billion current US$ | — |
| 1971 | 23.41 billion current US$ | +10.3% |
| 1972 | 24.52 billion current US$ | +4.7% |
| 1973 | 33.26 billion current US$ | +35.7% |
| 1974 | 41.39 billion current US$ | +24.4% |
| 1975 | 42.91 billion current US$ | +3.7% |
| 1976 | 41.15 billion current US$ | -4.1% |
| 1977 | 45.33 billion current US$ | +10.2% |
| 1978 | 51.61 billion current US$ | +13.9% |
| 1979 | 63.04 billion current US$ | +22.2% |
| 1980 | 89.41 billion current US$ | +41.8% |
| 1981 | 93.14 billion current US$ | +4.2% |
| 1982 | 85.90 billion current US$ | -7.8% |
| 1983 | 96.20 billion current US$ | +12.0% |
| 1984 | 84.87 billion current US$ | -11.8% |
| 1985 | 64.46 billion current US$ | -24.0% |
| 1986 | 73.35 billion current US$ | +13.8% |
| 1987 | 96.54 billion current US$ | +31.6% |
| 1988 | 103.98 billion current US$ | +7.7% |
| 1989 | 108.06 billion current US$ | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 126.05 billion current US$ | +16.7% |
| 1991 | 135.20 billion current US$ | +7.3% |
| 1992 | 146.96 billion current US$ | +8.7% |
| 1993 | 147.19 billion current US$ | +0.2% |
| 1994 | 153.51 billion current US$ | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 171.74 billion current US$ | +11.9% |
| 1996 | 163.24 billion current US$ | -5.0% |
| 1997 | 168.98 billion current US$ | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 152.98 billion current US$ | -9.5% |
| 1999 | 151.52 billion current US$ | -1.0% |
| 2000 | 151.75 billion current US$ | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 135.43 billion current US$ | -10.8% |
| 2002 | 129.09 billion current US$ | -4.7% |
| 2003 | 197.02 billion current US$ | +52.6% |
| 2004 | 255.81 billion current US$ | +29.8% |
| 2005 | 288.87 billion current US$ | +12.9% |
| 2006 | 303.86 billion current US$ | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 333.08 billion current US$ | +9.6% |
| 2008 | 316.13 billion current US$ | -5.1% |
| 2009 | 329.75 billion current US$ | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 417.36 billion current US$ | +26.6% |
| 2011 | 458.20 billion current US$ | +9.8% |
| 2012 | 434.40 billion current US$ | -5.2% |
| 2013 | 400.89 billion current US$ | -7.7% |
| 2014 | 381.20 billion current US$ | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 346.71 billion current US$ | -9.0% |
| 2016 | 323.59 billion current US$ | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 381.45 billion current US$ | +17.9% |
| 2018 | 405.26 billion current US$ | +6.2% |
| 2019 | 389.33 billion current US$ | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 337.98 billion current US$ | -13.2% |
| 2021 | 420.89 billion current US$ | +24.5% |
| 2022 | 406.92 billion current US$ | -3.3% |
| 2023 | 380.70 billion current US$ | -6.4% |
| 2024 | 400.26 billion current US$ | +5.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 400.26 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 45.55 billion current US$, 8.8× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 400.26 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.41 billion current US$, 21.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 38.78 billion current US$ | 21.22 billion current US$ | 63.04 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 89.59 billion current US$ | 64.46 billion current US$ | 108.06 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 151.74 billion current US$ | 126.05 billion current US$ | 171.74 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 244.08 billion current US$ | 129.09 billion current US$ | 333.08 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 393.84 billion current US$ | 323.59 billion current US$ | 458.20 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 389.35 billion current US$ | 337.98 billion current US$ | 420.89 billion current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gdp in South Africa?
- Gdp in South Africa was 400.26 billion current US$ in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 458.20 billion current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.22 billion current US$ in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for gdp?
- South Africa ranks 41st out of 211 countries with data for 2024.
- Is gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of GDP (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release