Least developed countries vs South Africa: GDP

Least developed countries
1.65 trillion current US$
in 2025
South Africa
427.18 billion current US$
in 2025
Least developed countries rank
36th
South Africa rank
40th

GDP over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
0500.0B1.0T1.5T196019922025

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 1.65 trillion current US$ against 427.18 billion current US$ in South Africa, a difference of 1.23 trillion current US$.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 3.9 times South Africa's.

Across all 66 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 36th and South Africa ranks 40th of 45 groups.

Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1960s 37.10 billion current US$ 13.01 billion current US$ 24.10 billion current US$ Least developed countries
1970s 79.73 billion current US$ 38.78 billion current US$ 40.95 billion current US$ Least developed countries
1980s 144.74 billion current US$ 89.59 billion current US$ 55.15 billion current US$ Least developed countries
1990s 183.85 billion current US$ 151.74 billion current US$ 32.11 billion current US$ Least developed countries
2000s 384.50 billion current US$ 244.08 billion current US$ 140.42 billion current US$ Least developed countries
2010s 952.06 billion current US$ 393.84 billion current US$ 558.22 billion current US$ Least developed countries
2020s 1.43 trillion current US$ 395.89 billion current US$ 1.04 trillion current US$ Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher gdp, Least developed countries or South Africa?
Least developed countries, at 1.65 trillion current US$ against 427.18 billion current US$ in South Africa as of 2025.
What is the difference in gdp between Least developed countries and South Africa?
1.23 trillion current US$, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
66 years are reported by both, from 1960 to 2025.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for gdp?
Least developed countries ranks 36th and South Africa ranks 40th of 45 groups.
Where does this data come from?
Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as GDP (current US$). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: GDP. Statizoid, drawing on Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/gdp-current-us/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
GDP (current US$)
Unit
current US$
Source
Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
260 places, 14,741 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This indicator is expressed in United States dollars.