South Africa's GDP was estimated at just over 403 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, the highest in Africa. Egypt followed, with a GDP worth around 380 billion U.S. dollars, and ranked as the second-highest on the continent. Algeria ranked third, with about 260 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.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPKDSSA) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, and GDP.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita for South Africa (PCAGDPZAA646NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about South Africa, per capita, and GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPCDSSA) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, and GDP.

GDP deflator: linked series (base year varies by country) in South Africa was reported at 152 year in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - GDP deflator: linked series (base year varies by country) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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.

Remittance inflows to GDP (%) in South Africa was reported at 0.24174 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Remittance inflows to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita for South Africa (NYGDPPCAPKDZAF) from 1960 to 2024 about South Africa, per capita, real, and GDP.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria was worth 187.76 billion US dollars in 2024, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP value of Nigeria represents 0.18 percent of the world economy. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Nigeria GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Sub-Saharan Africa (NYGDPPCAPCDSSF) from 1960 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, per capita, income, and GDP.

Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in South Africa was reported at 0.61729 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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.

GDP per capita (constant LCU) in South Africa was reported at 73284 LCU in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - GDP per capita (constant LCU) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Middle East and North Africa (NYGDPPCAPCDMEA) from 1960 to 2024 about North Africa, Middle East, per capita, income, and GDP.

ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Loans data was reported at 2.777 % in Sep 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.018 % for Jun 2024. ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Loans data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.320 % from Mar 2010 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 59 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.331 % in Mar 2024 and a record low of 0.887 % in Mar 2019. ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Long Term: Over 1 Year: Loans 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.QPSD: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Middle East and North Africa (NYGDPPCAPKDMEA) from 1960 to 2024 about North Africa, Middle East, per capita, income, and GDP.

The average for 2023 based on 52 countries was 6731 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in the Seychelles: 29469 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Burundi: 829 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

South Africa ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans data was reported at 72.832 % in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 72.003 % for Jun 2024. South Africa ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans data is updated quarterly, averaging 48.241 % from Mar 2010 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 59 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72.832 % in Sep 2024 and a record low of 30.619 % in Mar 2010. South Africa ZA: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government: Debt Securities and Loans 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.QPSD: Gross Public Debt: % of GDP: General Government.

Personal remittances, received (% of GDP) in South Africa was reported at 0.2137 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Workers' remittances and compensation of employees, received (% of GDP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.