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.

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

As of 2022, the real GDP growth rate in Africa was estimated at 3.7 percent, decreasing compared to the previous year when it stood at 4.8 percent. Africa's real GDP is projected to keep a stable and constant growth trend between 2023 and 2027.

Negative impact of COVID-19

Starting in 2020, the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) caused economic stagnation and recession in most world regions. Economies on the African continent were also negatively affected, as the health crisis determined disruptions across all economic sectors. In 2020, Africa’s real GDP dropped to minus 1.8 percent, an exceptional negative growth rate registered on the continent. Southern Africa was the most affected region, followed by Central and Western Africa, respectively.

Forecast economic growth in Africa

In 2021 and 2022, Africa’s economy showed signs of recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. Growth was expected to continue in the following years, with the total GDP increasing from around three trillion U.S. dollars in 2020 to four trillion U.S. dollars in 2027. The African economy was set to grow at a rapid pace, especially compared to other world regions. By 2027, Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP is estimated to record a growth rate of over four percent, while the European Union’s economy would expand by less than two percent.

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.

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.

In 2025, Ethiopia's GDP was forecast to reach almost 121 billion U.S. dollars, the highest in East Africa. Kenya followed, with an expected GDP of around 117 billion U.S. dollars. Comoros, on the other hand, had some of the lowest GDPs, at just over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

The average for 2023 based on 48 countries was 15.21 percent. The highest value was in Lesotho: 35.58 percent and the lowest value was in Angola: 5.17 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Key information about South Africa Real GDP Growth

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 1.3 % YoY in Dec 2022, following a growth of 4.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Real GDP Growth YoY data in South Africa is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1961 to Dec 2022, with an average rate of 3.0 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 19.4 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of -17.0 % 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 98.8 USD bn in Sep 2022.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 4.7 % in Sep 2022.
• GDP Per Capita in South Africa reached 6,966.1 USD in Dec 2021.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 15.6 % in Sep 2022.
• For Nominal GDP contributions, Investment accounted for 14.8 % in Dec 2022.
• Public Consumption accounted for 19.9 % in Dec 2022.
• Private Consumption accounted for 66.6 % in Dec 2022.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPKDSSF) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, income, and GDP.

The average for 2023 based on 48 countries was 33.71 percent. The highest value was in Djibouti: 150.02 percent and the lowest value was in Sudan: 1.11 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Africa Gdp Per Capita Current USD Dataset

  Overview

This dataset contains gdp per capita (current us$) data for African countries from the World Bank Economy & Growth indicators.

  Data Details

Indicator Code: NY.GDP.PCAP.CD Description: GDP per capita (current US$) Geographic Coverage: 54 African countries Time Period: 1960-2024 Data Points: 3,510 observations Coverage: 100.00% of possible country-year combinations

  File Formats





  Main Dataset… See the full description on the dataset page: https://huggingface.co/datasets/electricsheepafrica/africa-gdp-per-capita-current-usd.

The average for 2024 based on 46 countries was 2323.02 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in the Seychelles: 16586.41 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Burundi: 255.6 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Africa Gdp Per Capita Growth Annual Percentage Dataset

  Overview

This dataset contains gdp per capita growth (annual %) data for African countries from the World Bank Economy & Growth indicators.

  Data Details

Indicator Code: NY.GDP.PCAP.KD.ZG Description: GDP per capita growth (annual %) Geographic Coverage: 54 African countries Time Period: 1960-2024 Data Points: 3,510 observations Coverage: 100.00% of possible country-year combinations

  File Formats… See the full description on the dataset page: https://huggingface.co/datasets/electricsheepafrica/africa-gdp-per-capita-growth-annual-percentage.

Historical dataset showing Africa gdp growth rate by year from N/A to N/A.

In 2022, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of North Africa grew by 4.3 percent compared to the previous year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the North African economy shrank by 1.4 percent in 2020. Economic recovery was observed in the following year, with the GDP rising by almost 12 percent. North Africa's economic growth is set to remain stable in the coming years.

The average for 2023 based on 37 countries was 19.32 percent. The highest value was in Algeria: 40.56 percent and the lowest value was in Mozambique: 2.78 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 0.80 percent in the second quarter of 2025 over the previous quarter. This dataset provides - South Africa GDP Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This dataset provides values for GDP GROWTH RATE 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 Investment: % of GDP

• South Africa Investment accounted for 12.6 % of its Nominal GDP in Dec 2024, compared with a ratio of 15.2 % in the previous quarter.
• South Africa investment share of Nominal GDP data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 1960 to Dec 2024, with an average ratio of 19.4 %.
• 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 0.2 % YoY in Mar 2023.
• South Africa Nominal GDP reached 95.9 USD bn in Mar 2023.
• Its GDP deflator (implicit price deflator) increased 5.6 % in Mar 2023.
• South Africa GDP Per Capita reached 6,667.3 USD in Dec 2022.
• Its Gross Savings Rate was measured at 13.7 % in Sep 2024.

Africa Gdp Per Capita Ppp Current International $ Dataset

  Overview

This dataset contains gdp per capita, ppp (current international $) data for African countries from the World Bank Economy & Growth indicators.

  Data Details

Indicator Code: NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD Description: GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) Geographic Coverage: 54 African countries Time Period: 1960-2024 Data Points: 3,510 observations Coverage: 100.00% of possible country-year… See the full description on the dataset page: https://huggingface.co/datasets/electricsheepafrica/africa-gdp-per-capita-ppp-current-international-usd.