GDP per capita in South Africa
South Africa: GDP per capita was 6,598 current US$ in 2025. ◆ Volatile
GDP per capita in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gdp per capita in South Africa is 6,598 current US$, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 5.3% on the previous year and up 7.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gdp per capita in South Africa peaked at 8,646 current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 532.15 current US$, in 1960.
That places South Africa 126th out of 214 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
GDP per capita in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 532.15 current US$ | — |
| 1961 | 545.66 current US$ | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 563.42 current US$ | +3.3% |
| 1963 | 604.54 current US$ | +7.3% |
| 1964 | 645.87 current US$ | +6.8% |
| 1965 | 684.62 current US$ | +6.0% |
| 1966 | 721.75 current US$ | +5.4% |
| 1967 | 778.84 current US$ | +7.9% |
| 1968 | 817.13 current US$ | +4.9% |
| 1969 | 890.92 current US$ | +9.0% |
| 1970 | 952.35 current US$ | +6.9% |
| 1971 | 1,020 current US$ | +7.1% |
| 1972 | 1,038 current US$ | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 1,369 current US$ | +31.9% |
| 1974 | 1,656 current US$ | +21.0% |
| 1975 | 1,670 current US$ | +0.8% |
| 1976 | 1,559 current US$ | -6.7% |
| 1977 | 1,671 current US$ | +7.2% |
| 1978 | 1,852 current US$ | +10.8% |
| 1979 | 2,202 current US$ | +18.9% |
| 1980 | 3,029 current US$ | +37.6% |
| 1981 | 3,050 current US$ | +0.7% |
| 1982 | 2,717 current US$ | -10.9% |
| 1983 | 2,938 current US$ | +8.1% |
| 1984 | 2,504 current US$ | -14.8% |
| 1985 | 1,839 current US$ | -26.5% |
| 1986 | 2,027 current US$ | +10.2% |
| 1987 | 2,586 current US$ | +27.6% |
| 1988 | 2,702 current US$ | +4.5% |
| 1989 | 2,727 current US$ | +0.9% |
| 1990 | 3,093 current US$ | +13.5% |
| 1991 | 3,243 current US$ | +4.8% |
| 1992 | 3,462 current US$ | +6.8% |
| 1993 | 3,400 current US$ | -1.8% |
| 1994 | 3,489 current US$ | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 3,856 current US$ | +10.5% |
| 1996 | 3,618 current US$ | -6.2% |
| 1997 | 3,700 current US$ | +2.3% |
| 1998 | 3,310 current US$ | -10.6% |
| 1999 | 3,242 current US$ | -2.0% |
| 2000 | 3,218 current US$ | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 2,847 current US$ | -11.5% |
| 2002 | 2,688 current US$ | -5.6% |
| 2003 | 4,062 current US$ | +51.1% |
| 2004 | 5,221 current US$ | +28.5% |
| 2005 | 5,837 current US$ | +11.8% |
| 2006 | 6,077 current US$ | +4.1% |
| 2007 | 6,592 current US$ | +8.5% |
| 2008 | 6,185 current US$ | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 6,375 current US$ | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 7,973 current US$ | +25.1% |
| 2011 | 8,646 current US$ | +8.4% |
| 2012 | 8,077 current US$ | -6.6% |
| 2013 | 7,332 current US$ | -9.2% |
| 2014 | 6,857 current US$ | -6.5% |
| 2015 | 6,112 current US$ | -10.9% |
| 2016 | 5,651 current US$ | -7.5% |
| 2017 | 6,618 current US$ | +17.1% |
| 2018 | 6,914 current US$ | +4.5% |
| 2019 | 6,534 current US$ | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 5,581 current US$ | -14.6% |
| 2021 | 6,829 current US$ | +22.4% |
| 2022 | 6,534 current US$ | -4.3% |
| 2023 | 6,034 current US$ | -7.7% |
| 2024 | 6,267 current US$ | +3.9% |
| 2025 | 6,598 current US$ | +5.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6,598 current US$ is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 8,003 current US$, 82% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6,598 current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,318 current US$, 5.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 678.49 current US$ | 532.15 current US$ | 890.92 current US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,499 current US$ | 952.35 current US$ | 2,202 current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,612 current US$ | 1,839 current US$ | 3,050 current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,441 current US$ | 3,093 current US$ | 3,856 current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,910 current US$ | 2,688 current US$ | 6,592 current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,071 current US$ | 5,651 current US$ | 8,646 current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,307 current US$ | 5,581 current US$ | 6,829 current US$ | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gdp per capita in South Africa?
- Gdp per capita in South Africa was 6,598 current US$ in 2025, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest gdp per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8,646 current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest gdp per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 532.15 current US$ in 1960.
- How does South Africa rank for gdp per capita?
- South Africa ranks 126th out of 214 countries with data for 2025.
- Is gdp per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of GDP per capita (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate.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.