The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa expanded 0.50 percent in the third 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.

Historical dataset showing South Africa economic growth by year from 1960 to 2018.

In 2024, the growth of the real gross domestic product (GDP) in South Africa was estimated at about 0.58 percent. Between 1980 and 2024, the figure dropped by approximately 6.04 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory. The forecast shows the growth will steadily grow by around 1.23 percentage points from 2024 to 2030.This indicator describes the annual change in the gross domestic product at constant prices, expressed in national currency units. Here the gross domestic product represents the total value of the final goods and services produced during a year.

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.

• 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.

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.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa was worth 400.26 billion US dollars in 2024, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of South Africa represents 0.38 percent of the world economy. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

As of 2023, the GDP of Africa was estimated at roughly 3.1 trillion U.S. dollars. This was the highest value since 2010 when the continent's GDP amounted to approximately 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars. The GDP value in Africa generally followed an upward trend in recent years and was estimated to exceed 4.2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2027.

Leading the charge: the three leading African economies

Among the African countries, in 2021, Nigeria had the highest GDP with approximately 442 billion U.S. dollars. South Africa and Egypt followed. These three countries have the largest economies for various reasons. The most notable factors are their population size, natural resources, and level of economic development. Furthermore, Africa was projected to have a real GDP growth rate of 3.9 percent in 2023. Libya was the economy experiencing the highest growth rate in that year.

The Sub-Saharan African economy on the rise

A global comparison showed that Sub-Saharan Africa had the smallest GDP among all world regions in 2021, amounting to 1.87 trillion U.S. dollars. A closer look revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa had a GDP per capita of 1,626.3 U.S. dollars in 2021, again the lowest worldwide. However, the region's economy was forecast to experience continued growth in the following years, with the real GDP increasing by 3.7 percent in 2023.

South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Adjusted Net National Income data was reported at -0.441 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.659 % for 2015. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Adjusted Net National Income data is updated yearly, averaging 3.092 % from Dec 1972 (Median) to 2016, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.959 % in 1973 and a record low of -6.137 % in 1985. South Africa ZA: GDP: Growth: Adjusted Net National Income data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. Adjusted net national income is GNI minus consumption of fixed capital and natural resources depletion.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on sources and methods described in 'The Changing Wealth of Nations 2018: Building a Sustainable Future' (Lange et al 2018).; Weighted average;

In 2024, projections show that ***** out of the **** African regions will have an increased growth margin as a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to 2023, showing hope for economic recovery post-COVID-19 restrictions. In 2023, the region of East Africa is projected to have the highest share of GDP growth in Africa. It will have an estimated **** percent growth rate. Furthermore, compared to the 2022 projections, 2023 showed decreased growth rate, with the exception of West Africa. However, the growth rate may now be decreasing in 2023 compared to 2022 projections due to a number of factors, including a decrease in government stimulus, ongoing uncertainty related to the pandemic, and the potential for economic headwinds such as rising inflation and interest rates. In 2021, Africa's economy was projected to recover following the impact of the pandemic, with the regional real GDPs growing significantly. In 2020, Southern Africa registered the sharpest decline in GDP growth rate in the continent, at **** percent. Southern and Central Africa were the regions that suffered the most in that year, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic's impacts on economic growth in Africa.

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.

South Africa ZA: Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data was reported at 0.723 % in 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.735 % for 2012. South Africa ZA: Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 0.758 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2013, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.898 % in 2006 and a record low of 0.584 % in 1997. South Africa ZA: Research and Development Expenditure: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Technology. Gloss domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

The gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices in South Africa amounted to 401.08 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Between 1980 and 2024, the GDP rose by 311.67 billion U.S. dollars, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The GDP will steadily rise by 110.94 billion U.S. dollars over the period from 2024 to 2030, reflecting a clear upward trend.This indicator describes the gross domestic product at current prices. The values are based upon the GDP in national currency converted to U.S. dollars using market exchange rates (yearly average). The GDP represents the total value of final goods and services produced during a year.

This data set contains data on the R&D expenditure by province, type of R&D, research fields, socioeconomic objectives, sources of funds and province. R&D personnel data is also included. The data is recorded for each of the following economic sectors of the South African economy: Business, Government, Higher Education, Not-for-Profit Organisations and Science Councils.

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.

South Africa Business Survey: Wholesale: CG: Growth: Number of People Employed: Expected data was reported at -10.000 % Point in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.000 % Point for Jun 2018. South Africa Business Survey: Wholesale: CG: Growth: Number of People Employed: Expected data is updated quarterly, averaging -10.000 % Point from Jun 2001 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 70 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.000 % Point in Jun 2018 and a record low of -32.000 % Point in Jun 2001. South Africa Business Survey: Wholesale: CG: Growth: Number of People Employed: Expected data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau for Economic Research. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.S007: Business Survey: Wholesale.

In 2024, Niger's real GDP is estimated to grow by 10.4 percent compared to the previous year. During 2023, the GDP is estimated to have increased by only 1.4 percent, nevertheless a positive trend. The country's real GDP is forecast to continue growing but at a slower pace. Between 2025 and 2029, it is expected to grow annually by roughly six percent. Furthermore, the GDPs of Senegal, Libya, and Rwanda might increase by around 8.3 percent, 7.8 percent, and 6.9 percent during 2024, respectively. Niger: A dependence on agriculture A large portion of Niger's economy comes from agriculture. In 2022, agriculture accounted for almost 40 percent of the GDP. Niger is not the only country in Africa where agriculture plays a crucial role. For example, agriculture made up nearly 60 percent of Sierra Leone’s GDP in 2022. Such dependence could mean that any disruptions in the agricultural products market could have significant effects on the country's GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa's economy will be among the fastest-growing regions worldwide Three African countries have significantly larger economies, namely, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. As of 2022, these countries' GDP stood at nearly 477.4 billion, 475.2 billion, and 405.7 billion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, it is anticipated that Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP growth in 2026 will rank as the second-fastest growing economic region in the world after the ASEAN-5 countries, with a growth rate of approximately four percent. In contrast, economic areas such as the European Union are forecast to grow at only about 1.5 percent in the same year.

South Africa's GDP amounted to just over 418 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, the highest in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe ranked second, with a GDP worth around 37 billion U.S. dollars. Lesotho, on the other hand, ranked the lowest with a GDP of over 2.4 billion U.S. dollars.

This statistic shows the distribution of the gross domestic product (GDP) across economic sectors in South Africa from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, agriculture had contributed around 2.62 percent to the GDP of South Africa, whereas industry and services had contributed 24.62 and 62.61 percent of the total value added, respectively.

Graph and download economic data for Monetary Aggregates and Their Components: Narrow Money and Components: M1 and Components: M1 for South Africa (MANMM101ZAM657S) from May 1965 to Dec 2018 about M1, South Africa, and monetary aggregates.

In 2024, the South African mining sector's added value to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced an increase of *** percent from the previous year. The downward trend was already registered in 2018, when the sector's contribution to the GDP decreased by *** percent. However, there was a significant increase of **** percent recorded in 2021 due to post-pandemic (COVID-19) recovery efforts.