South Africa GDP Per Capita (2026)
South Africa has one of Africa’s most diversified economies, supported by mining, finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, agriculture, tourism, and a large services sector. GDP per capita provides a useful measure of how national economic output compares with the size of the population and offers additional context beyond total GDP. The indicator helps show how South Africa’s economic resources and productive capacity translate into output per resident. Explore the latest South Africa GDP per capita data, historical trends, growth patterns, and economic comparisons below.
GDP Per Capita 2026
$7,503
Est. in USD
World Rank
#104
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+10.8%
+$734
Africa Rank
#6
Out of 54 countries
1. South Africa GDP Per Capita in 2026
South Africa’s GDP per capita reflects the amount of economic output generated for each resident across a broad mix of industries and services. Mining, finance, manufacturing, trade, and business activity all contribute to national production. By adjusting total GDP for population, the measure provides a more consistent basis for comparing South Africa with countries that have different population sizes and levels of overall economic output.
2. South Africa GDP Per Capita Growth (1980–2026)
3. South Africa GDP Per Capita (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7,503 | +10.8% |
| 2025 | $6,769 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $6,435 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $6,193 | -7.5% |
| 2022 | $6,694 | -4.0% |
| 2021 | $6,971 | +23.2% |
| 2020 | $5,660 | -14.4% |
| 2019 | $6,610 | -5.3% |
| 2018 | $6,980 | +4.7% |
| 2017 | $6,665 | +16.3% |
| 2016 | $5,732 | -7.9% |
| 2015 | $6,227 | -10.4% |
| 2014 | $6,951 | -6.4% |
| 2013 | $7,429 | -9.1% |
| 2012 | $8,177 | -6.8% |
| 2011 | $8,773 | +8.3% |
| 2010 | $8,102 | +24.2% |
| 2009 | $6,522 | +3.2% |
| 2008 | $6,321 | -6.2% |
| 2007 | $6,737 | +7.8% |
| 2006 | $6,251 | +4.0% |
| 2005 | $6,008 | +11.4% |
| 2004 | $5,393 | +28.7% |
| 2003 | $4,191 | +50.9% |
| 2002 | $2,778 | -6.3% |
| 2001 | $2,964 | -12.4% |
| 2000 | $3,382 | -1.2% |
| 1999 | $3,424 | -2.4% |
| 1998 | $3,508 | -10.9% |
| 1997 | $3,938 | +1.8% |
| 1996 | $3,870 | -6.6% |
| 1995 | $4,145 | +9.5% |
| 1994 | $3,786 | +1.9% |
| 1993 | $3,716 | -2.3% |
| 1992 | $3,803 | +6.0% |
| 1991 | $3,588 | +4.7% |
| 1990 | $3,426 | +14.0% |
| 1989 | $3,004 | +1.7% |
| 1988 | $2,955 | +5.5% |
| 1987 | $2,801 | +28.7% |
| 1986 | $2,176 | +11.3% |
| 1985 | $1,955 | -25.8% |
| 1984 | $2,634 | -14.0% |
| 1983 | $3,063 | +9.2% |
| 1982 | $2,806 | -10.2% |
| 1981 | $3,123 | +1.6% |
| 1980 | $3,075 | — |
4. South Africa GDP Per Capita Growth
1-Year Change
+10.8%
(2025 to 2026)
5-Year Change
+7.6%
(2021 to 2026)
10-Year Change
+30.9%
(2016 to 2026)
20-Year Change
+20.0%
(2006 to 2026)
South Africa’s GDP per capita has experienced periods of expansion, stagnation, and slower growth as commodity markets, investment, employment, inflation, energy supply, and domestic demand have changed. Population growth also affects how quickly per-person output can rise. Reviewing historical GDP per capita data helps show how economic output per resident has evolved across different business cycles and periods of structural adjustment.
5. South Africa GDP Per Capita vs Africa and World
South Africa
$7,503
Africa Average
$3,302
World Average
$25,179
$0
$12,590
$25,179
USD
South Africa’s GDP per capita is approximately
127.2%
above the
Africa average
and
70.2%
below the world average.
6. South Africa GDP Per Capita Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | Gabon | $9,918 |
| #4 | Botswana | $8,490 |
| #5 | Equatorial Guinea | $8,152 |
| #6 | South Africa | $7,503 |
| #7 | Libya | $6,962 |
| #8 | Cabo Verde | $6,670 |
| #9 | Algeria | $6,628 |
7. GDP vs GDP Per Capita in South Africa
South Africa GDP (Nominal)
$480.0 Billion
(2026)
South Africa GDP Per Capita
$7,503
(2026)
South Africa’s total GDP measures the overall scale of economic production across the country, while GDP per capita divides that output by population. Total GDP helps indicate South Africa’s importance within the African economy, whereas GDP per capita offers a population-adjusted view of production per resident. Considering both indicators together provides a broader understanding of national economic performance.
Explore more:
South Africa GDP
8. South Africa GDP Per Capita Forecast
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $7,624 | +1.6% |
| 2028 | $7,804 | +2.4% |
| 2029 | $8,002 | +2.5% |
| 2030 | $8,218 | +2.7% |
South Africa GDP per capita is projected to reach $8,218 by 2030, representing a 9.5% increase from the 2026 level.
9. South Africa GDP Per Capita: Key Findings
South Africa GDP per capita is estimated at $7,503 in 2026.
It ranks #104 globally and #6 in Africa.
GDP per capita increased by 10.8% compared with 2025.
Over the last 5 years, GDP per capita grew by 7.6%.
Over the last 10 years, GDP per capita grew by 30.9%.
It is approximately 127.2% above the Africa average.
It is approximately 70.2% below the world average.
The forecast reaches $8,218 by 2030, 9.5% above the 2026 level.
10. What Is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is the total economic output of a country divided by its population.
GDP Per Capita
=
GDP
÷
Population
It helps measure the average economic output per person and is widely used to compare economic performance across countries. Higher values generally indicate greater economic output per resident.
11. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Sources:
World Bank,
United Nations
Population Source:
UN Population Division
Currency:
Current USD (Nominal)
Update Frequency:
Annually
Last Updated:
September 2026
12. South Africa GDP Per Capita FAQs
South Africa GDP per capita is estimated at $7,503 in 2026.
South Africa ranks #104 globally and #6 in Africa by GDP per capita.
Yes. GDP per capita increased by approximately 10.8% compared with 2025.
South Africa GDP per capita was approximately $6,227 in 2015.
South Africa GDP per capita is approximately 127.2% above the Africa average.
14. Explore GDP Per Capita
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.