The Gross Domestic Product per capita in South Africa was last recorded at 5708.96 US dollars in 2024. The GDP per Capita in South Africa is equivalent to 45 percent of the world's average. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa GDP per capita - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Botswana's GDP per capita amounted to eight thousand U.S. dollars in 2025, the highest in Southern Africa. South Africa ranked second, with a GDP per capita worth around 6.5 thousand U.S. dollars. Mozambique, on the other hand, had the lowest average product per person, of about 680 U.S. dollars.

Seychelles had the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Africa as of 2024. The value amounted to 21,630 U.S. dollars. Mauritius followed with around 12,330 U.S. dollars, whereas Gabon registered 8,840 U.S. dollars. GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population, meaning that some of the largest economies are not ranked within the leading ten. Impact of COVID-19 on North Africa’s GDP When looking at the GDP growth rate in Africa in 2024, Libya had the largest estimated growth in Northern Africa, a value of 7.8 percent compared to the previous year. Niger and Senegal were at the top of the list with rates of 10.4 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the economy was severe. The growth of the North African real GDP was estimated at minus 1.1 percent in 2020. However, estimations for 2022 looked much brighter, as it was set that the region would see a GDP growth of six percent, compared to four percent in 2021.
Contribution of Tourism Various countries in Africa are dependent on tourism, contributing to the economy. In 2023, travel and tourism were estimated to contribute 182.6 billion U.S. dollars, a clear increase from 96.5 in 2020 following COVID-19. As of 2024, South Africa, Mauritius, and Egypt led tourism in the continent according to the Travel & Tourism Development Index.

The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in South Africa amounted to 6,360 U.S. dollars in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the GDP per capita rose by 3,290 U.S. dollars, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The GDP per capita will steadily rise by 1,070 U.S. dollars over the period from 2024 to 2030, reflecting a clear upward trend.This indicator describes the gross domestic product per capita at current prices. Thereby, the gross domestic product was first converted from national currency to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates and then divided by the total population. The gross domestic product is a measure of a country's productivity. It refers to the total value of goods and service produced during a given time period (here a year).

This dataset provides values for GDP PER CAPITA reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Key information about South Africa GDP Per Capita

• South Africa Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita reached 6,474.783 USD in Dec 2024, compared with 6,223.776 USD in Dec 2023.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1957 to Dec 2024, with an average number of 3,058.360 USD.
• The data reached an all-time high of 20,596.090 USD in Dec 2025 and a record low of 814.130 in Dec 2004.
• CEIC converts annual GDP per Capita into USD. South African Reserve Bank provides GDP per Capita in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.

Related information about South Africa GDP Per Capita data

• In the latest reports, South Africa GDP expanded 1.051 % YoY in Jun 2025.
• South Africa Nominal GDP reached 103.116 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 1.703 % in Jun 2025.
• Gross Savings Rate of South Africa was measured at 13.500 % in Jun 2025.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in South Africa was last recorded at 13598.79 US dollars in 2024, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in South Africa, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 77 percent of the world's average. This dataset provides - South Africa GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As of April 2025, South Africa's GDP was estimated at over 410 billion U.S. dollars, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 347 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with nearly 269 billion U.S. dollars. These African economies are among some of the fastest-growing economies worldwide. Dependency on oil For some African countries, the oil industry represents an enormous source of income. In Nigeria, oil generates over five percent of the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2023. However, economies such as the Libyan, Algerian, or Angolan are even much more dependent on the oil sector. In Libya, for instance, oil rents account for over 40 percent of the GDP. Indeed, Libya is one of the economies most dependent on oil worldwide. Similarly, oil represents for some of Africa’s largest economies a substantial source of export value. The giants do not make the ranking Most of Africa’s largest economies do not appear in the leading ten African countries for GDP per capita. The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country’s GDP by its population. Therefore, a populated country with a low total GDP will have a low GDP per capita, while a small rich nation has a high GDP per capita. For instance, South Africa has Africa’s highest GDP, but also counts the sixth-largest population, so wealth has to be divided into its big population. The GDP per capita also indicates how a country’s wealth reaches each of its citizens. In Africa, Seychelles has the greatest GDP per capita.

Key information about South Africa Real GDP Growth

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 1.1 % YoY in Jun 2025, following a growth of 0.5 % in the previous quarter.
• Real GDP Growth YoY data in South Africa is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1961 to Jun 2025, with an average rate of -1.3 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19.2 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of -16.8 % in Jun 2020.

CEIC calculates Real GDP Growth from quarterly Real GDP. Statistics South Africa provides Real GDP in local currency, at 2015 prices. Real GDP Growth prior to Q1 1994 is calculated from Real GDP at 2010 prices.


Related information about South Africa Real GDP Growth

• In the latest reports, Nominal GDP of South Africa reached 103.1 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 1.7 % in Jun 2025.
• GDP Per Capita in South Africa reached 6,474.8 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.5 % in Jun 2025.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 14.5 % in Jun 2025.
• Public Consumption accounted for 18.5 % in Jun 2025.
• Private Consumption accounted for 64.0 % in Jun 2025.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa GDP Per Capita Ppp Us Dollar

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa GDP Per Capita Us Dollar

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa GDP Per Capita Growth Annual Percent

South Africa Ref. Year = 2021: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Per Capita: PPP: USD data was reported at 13,996.101 USD in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 13,911.997 USD for 2025. South Africa Ref. Year = 2021: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Per Capita: PPP: USD data is updated yearly, averaging 14,222.622 USD from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2026, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,899.729 USD in 2013 and a record low of 12,075.141 USD in 2002. South Africa Ref. Year = 2021: Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Per Capita: PPP: USD data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.OECD.EO: GDP: Per Capita: Forecast: Non OECD Member: Annual.

In 2025, Luxembourg was the country with the highest gross domestic product per capita in the world. Of the 20 listed countries, 13 are in Europe and five are in Asia, alongside the U.S. and Australia. There are no African or Latin American countries among the top 20. Correlation with high living standards While GDP is a useful indicator for measuring the size or strength of an economy, GDP per capita is much more reflective of living standards. For example, when compared to life expectancy or indices such as the Human Development Index or the World Happiness Report, there is a strong overlap - 14 of the 20 countries on this list are also ranked among the 20 happiest countries in 2024, and all 20 have "very high" HDIs. Misleading metrics? GDP per capita figures, however, can be misleading, and to paint a fuller picture of a country's living standards then one must look at multiple metrics. GDP per capita figures can be skewed by inequalities in wealth distribution, and in countries such as those in the Middle East, a relatively large share of the population lives in poverty while a smaller number live affluent lifestyles.

In 2021, the BRICS countries with the highest estimated GDP per capita were Russia and China, with between 12,000 and 13,000 U.S. dollars per person. Brazil and South Africa's GDP per capita are thought to be closer to the 7,000 mark, while India's GDP per capita is just over 2,000 U.S. dollars. This a significant contrast to figures for overall GDP, where China has the largest economy by a significant margin, while India's is the second largest. The reason for this disparity is due to population size. For example, both China's population and overall GDP are roughly 10 times larger than those of Russia, which results in them having a comparable GDP per capita. Additionally, India's population is 23 times larger than South Africa's, but it's GDP is just seven times larger; this results in South Africa having a higher GDP per capita than India, despite it being the smallest of the BRICS economies.

Key information about South Africa Public Consumption: % of GDP

• South Africa Public Consumption accounted for 18.5 % of its Nominal GDP in Jun 2025, compared with a share of 19.5 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa Public Consumption share of Nominal GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Jun 2025, with an average number of 18.2 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 22.7 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 8.6 % in Jun 1963.

CEIC calculates Government Consumption as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Government Consumption Expenditure and quarterly Nominal GDP. Statistics South Africa provides Government Consumption Expenditure in local currency and Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about South Africa Public Consumption: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, South Africa GDP expanded 1.1 % YoY in Jun 2025.
• South Africa Nominal GDP reached 103.1 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 1.7 % in Jun 2025.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita reached 6,474.8 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.5 % in Jun 2025.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 14.5 % in Jun 2025.
• Private Consumption accounted for 64.0 % in Jun 2025.

Key information about South Africa Private Consumption: % of GDP

• South Africa Private Consumption accounted for 64.0 % of its Nominal GDP in Jun 2025, compared with a ratio of 65.6 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa Private Consumption contribution to Nominal GDP ratio is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Jun 2025, with an average share of 62.1 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 69.0 % in Dec 1996 and a record low of 47.6 % in Jun 1980.

CEIC calculates Private Consumption as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Private Consumption Expenditure and quarterly Nominal GDP. Statistics South Africa provides Private Consumption Expenditure in local currency and Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about South Africa Private Consumption: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, South Africa GDP expanded 1.1 % YoY in Jun 2025.
• Its Nominal GDP reached 103.1 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita reached 6,474.8 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.5 % in Jun 2025.

Actual value and historical data chart for South Africa GDP Per Capita Current Lcu

Key information about South Africa Investment: % of GDP

• South Africa Investment accounted for 14.5 % of its Nominal GDP in Jun 2025, compared with a ratio of 13.7 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa investment share of Nominal GDP data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Jun 2025, with an average ratio of 16.1 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 40.6 % in Sep 1981 and a record low of 10.1 % in Dec 2020.

CEIC calculates Investment as % of Nominal GDP from quarterly Nominal Gross Capital Formation and quarterly Nominal GDP. Gross Capital Formation is calculated as the sum of Gross Fixed Capital Formation and Changes in Inventories. Statistics South Africa provides Nominal Gross Capital Formation in local currency and Nominal GDP in local currency.


Related information about South Africa Investment: % of GDP

• In the latest reports, South Africa GDP expanded 1.1 % YoY in Jun 2025.
• South Africa Nominal GDP reached 103.1 USD bn in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 1.7 % in Jun 2025.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita reached 6,474.8 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.5 % in Jun 2025.

Key information about South Africa Nominal GDP

• South Africa Nominal GDP reached 103.1 USD bn in Jun 2025, compared with 100.5 USD bn in the previous quarter.
• Nominal GDP in South Africa is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Jun 2025, with an average number of 38.1 USD bn.
• The data reached an all-time high of 121.2 USD bn in Jun 2011 and a record low of 2.1 USD bn in Mar 1960.

CEIC converts quarterly de-annualised Nominal GDP into USD. South African Reserve Bank provides annualised Nominal GDP in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions.


Related information about South Africa Nominal GDP

• In the latest reports, South Africa GDP expanded 1.1 % YoY in Jun 2025.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 1.7 % in Jun 2025.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita reached 6,474.8 USD in Dec 2024.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.5 % in Jun 2025.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 14.5 % in Jun 2025.
• Public Consumption accounted for 18.5 % in Jun 2025.
• Private Consumption accounted for 64.0 % in Jun 2025.