Gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa
South Africa: Gross domestic product (GDP) was 212.63 billion current GBP in 2014. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2014)
212.63 billion current GBP
Change on year
down 9.2%
World rank
34th
of 200 countries
All-time high
260.01 billion current GBP
in 2011
All-time low
150.00 million current GBP
in 1911
Years of data
104
1911–2014
Gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa, 1911–2014
Source: Fouquin and Hugot (2016) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in current GBP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross domestic product (gdp) in South Africa is 212.63 billion current GBP, measured in 2014.
That represents a change of down 9.2% on the previous year and up 70.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross domestic product (gdp) in South Africa peaked at 260.01 billion current GBP in 2011 and was at its lowest, 150.00 million current GBP, in 1911.
That places South Africa 34th out of 200 countries with data for 2014, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current GBP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 150.00 million current GBP | — |
| 1912 | 158.00 million current GBP | +5.3% |
| 1913 | 159.00 million current GBP | +0.6% |
| 1914 | 151.50 million current GBP | -4.7% |
| 1915 | 153.50 million current GBP | +1.3% |
| 1916 | 171.50 million current GBP | +11.7% |
| 1917 | 187.50 million current GBP | +9.3% |
| 1918 | 208.00 million current GBP | +10.9% |
| 1919 | 253.50 million current GBP | +21.9% |
| 1920 | 279.00 million current GBP | +10.1% |
| 1921 | 245.50 million current GBP | -12.0% |
| 1922 | 219.50 million current GBP | -10.6% |
| 1923 | 238.50 million current GBP | +8.7% |
| 1924 | 256.50 million current GBP | +7.5% |
| 1925 | 268.50 million current GBP | +4.7% |
| 1926 | 277.50 million current GBP | +3.4% |
| 1927 | 290.00 million current GBP | +4.5% |
| 1928 | 299.05 million current GBP | +3.1% |
| 1929 | 298.05 million current GBP | -0.3% |
| 1930 | 274.17 million current GBP | -8.0% |
| 1931 | 263.43 million current GBP | -3.9% |
| 1932 | 316.74 million current GBP | +20.2% |
| 1933 | 259.99 million current GBP | -17.9% |
| 1934 | 297.21 million current GBP | +14.3% |
| 1935 | 340.17 million current GBP | +14.5% |
| 1936 | 379.35 million current GBP | +11.5% |
| 1937 | 403.21 million current GBP | +6.3% |
| 1938 | 417.91 million current GBP | +3.6% |
| 1939 | 442.66 million current GBP | +5.9% |
| 1940 | 512.75 million current GBP | +15.8% |
| 1941 | 550.18 million current GBP | +7.3% |
| 1942 | 609.39 million current GBP | +10.8% |
| 1943 | 651.79 million current GBP | +7.0% |
| 1944 | 691.24 million current GBP | +6.1% |
| 1945 | 749.94 million current GBP | +8.5% |
| 1946 | 812.93 million current GBP | +8.4% |
| 1947 | 901.28 million current GBP | +10.9% |
| 1948 | 996.88 million current GBP | +10.6% |
| 1949 | 1.07 billion current GBP | +7.6% |
| 1950 | 1.27 billion current GBP | +18.0% |
| 1951 | 1.38 billion current GBP | +8.7% |
| 1952 | 1.48 billion current GBP | +7.6% |
| 1953 | 1.68 billion current GBP | +13.4% |
| 1954 | 1.80 billion current GBP | +7.4% |
| 1955 | 1.90 billion current GBP | +5.4% |
| 1956 | 2.05 billion current GBP | +8.0% |
| 1957 | 2.16 billion current GBP | +5.3% |
| 1958 | 2.21 billion current GBP | +2.4% |
| 1959 | 2.34 billion current GBP | +5.6% |
| 1960 | 2.63 billion current GBP | +12.5% |
| 1961 | 2.77 billion current GBP | +5.2% |
| 1962 | 2.95 billion current GBP | +6.8% |
| 1963 | 3.28 billion current GBP | +10.9% |
| 1964 | 3.60 billion current GBP | +9.8% |
| 1965 | 3.93 billion current GBP | +9.2% |
| 1966 | 4.28 billion current GBP | +9.0% |
| 1967 | 4.85 billion current GBP | +13.1% |
| 1968 | 6.03 billion current GBP | +24.5% |
| 1969 | 6.80 billion current GBP | +12.7% |
| 1970 | 7.46 billion current GBP | +9.8% |
| 1971 | 8.12 billion current GBP | +8.9% |
| 1972 | 8.31 billion current GBP | +2.3% |
| 1973 | 11.61 billion current GBP | +39.7% |
| 1974 | 15.28 billion current GBP | +31.6% |
| 1975 | 16.70 billion current GBP | +9.3% |
| 1976 | 19.74 billion current GBP | +18.2% |
| 1977 | 22.59 billion current GBP | +14.4% |
| 1978 | 23.64 billion current GBP | +4.7% |
| 1979 | 26.41 billion current GBP | +11.7% |
| 1980 | 34.66 billion current GBP | +31.2% |
| 1981 | 43.21 billion current GBP | +24.7% |
| 1982 | 45.84 billion current GBP | +6.1% |
| 1983 | 56.75 billion current GBP | +23.8% |
| 1984 | 64.03 billion current GBP | +12.8% |
| 1985 | 52.26 billion current GBP | -18.4% |
| 1986 | 54.24 billion current GBP | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 63.66 billion current GBP | +17.4% |
| 1988 | 64.44 billion current GBP | +1.2% |
| 1989 | 76.34 billion current GBP | +18.5% |
| 1990 | 63.08 billion current GBP | -17.4% |
| 1991 | 68.17 billion current GBP | +8.1% |
| 1992 | 74.36 billion current GBP | +9.1% |
| 1993 | 89.55 billion current GBP | +20.4% |
| 1994 | 91.32 billion current GBP | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 98.51 billion current GBP | +7.9% |
| 1996 | 94.61 billion current GBP | -4.0% |
| 1997 | 93.20 billion current GBP | -1.5% |
| 1998 | 83.19 billion current GBP | -10.7% |
| 1999 | 84.45 billion current GBP | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 90.13 billion current GBP | +6.7% |
| 2001 | 84.41 billion current GBP | -6.3% |
| 2002 | 77.05 billion current GBP | -8.7% |
| 2003 | 107.34 billion current GBP | +39.3% |
| 2004 | 124.85 billion current GBP | +16.3% |
| 2005 | 141.78 billion current GBP | +13.6% |
| 2006 | 147.63 billion current GBP | +4.1% |
| 2007 | 149.64 billion current GBP | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 155.99 billion current GBP | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 189.97 billion current GBP | +21.8% |
| 2010 | 242.92 billion current GBP | +27.9% |
| 2011 | 260.01 billion current GBP | +7.0% |
| 2012 | 251.56 billion current GBP | -3.3% |
| 2013 | 234.15 billion current GBP | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 212.63 billion current GBP | -9.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 176.94 million current GBP | 150.00 million current GBP | 253.50 million current GBP | 9 |
| 1920s | 267.21 million current GBP | 219.50 million current GBP | 299.05 million current GBP | 10 |
| 1930s | 339.48 million current GBP | 259.99 million current GBP | 442.66 million current GBP | 10 |
| 1940s | 754.94 million current GBP | 512.75 million current GBP | 1.07 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.83 billion current GBP | 1.27 billion current GBP | 2.34 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 1960s | 4.11 billion current GBP | 2.63 billion current GBP | 6.80 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 1970s | 15.99 billion current GBP | 7.46 billion current GBP | 26.41 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 1980s | 55.54 billion current GBP | 34.66 billion current GBP | 76.34 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 1990s | 84.05 billion current GBP | 63.08 billion current GBP | 98.51 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 2000s | 126.88 billion current GBP | 77.05 billion current GBP | 189.97 billion current GBP | 10 |
| 2010s | 240.26 billion current GBP | 212.63 billion current GBP | 260.01 billion current GBP | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 31 United Arab Emirates 242.76 billion current GBP compare
- 32 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 237.53 billion current GBP compare
- 33 Colombia 229.97 billion current GBP compare
- 35 Denmark 210.35 billion current GBP compare
- 36 Malaysia 205.48 billion current GBP compare
- 37 Singapore 186.18 billion current GBP compare
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)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), annual growth rate 4.99 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1387 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), per capita 915.19 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), annual growth rate 2.47 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), per unit of GDP 2.48 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), per capita 16,372 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 0.7139 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.1196 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross domestic product (gdp) in South Africa?
- Gross domestic product (gdp) in South Africa was 212.63 billion current GBP in 2014, according to Fouquin and Hugot (2016) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 260.01 billion current GBP in 2011.
- What is the lowest gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 150.00 million current GBP in 1911.
- How does South Africa rank for gross domestic product (gdp)?
- South Africa ranks 34th out of 200 countries with data for 2014.
- Is gross domestic product (gdp) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 70.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Fouquin and Hugot (2016) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Gross domestic product (GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This data is expressed in British pounds. It is not adjusted for inflation or differences in living costs between countries.