South Africa Live GDP
$281,829,135,202
GDP Added Today
$425,584,517
South Africa GDP (2026)
LiveSouth Africa has the most industrialized and diversified economy in Africa, supported by mining, manufacturing, financial services, agriculture, and international trade. The country is a leading global producer of precious metals and minerals while also maintaining well-developed banking, telecommunications, automotive, and retail industries. As Africa's second-largest economy by nominal GDP, South Africa plays a vital role in regional commerce and investment. This page provides the latest South Africa GDP data, historical trends, and economic outlook for 2026.
GDP Growth Rate (2026)
1.00%
vs 2025
โผ โ0.10%
GDP Per Capita (2026)
$7,503
vs 2025
โฒ +$734
Global Rank (Nominal)
#40
of 218 countries
World Share
0.38%
of 2026 World GDP
Years Covered
1980โ2026
47 years
South Africa GDP Growth (1980โ2026)
Annual real GDP growth rate (%)
Historical Highlights
1980โ2026 GDP performance summary
Highest GDP
$479.96B
Lowest GDP
$64.48B
Average Growth
2.00%
1980โ2026
Best Growth
6.60%
Weakest Growth
-6.20%
Share of World GDP (2026)
South Africa
0.38%
United States
25.58%
China
16.47%
Germany
4.31%
Japan
3.46%
Rest of World
49.81%
Key Findings
โ
South Africa's GDP in 2026 is $479.96B.
โ
It ranks #40 among 218 countries.
โ
South Africa contributes 0.38% to the world economy.
โ
GDP per capita is $7,503 in 2026.
โ
The economy recorded GDP growth of 1.00% in 2026.
Historical Data
South Africa GDP Historical Data (1980โ2026)
| 2026 | $479,964,000,000 | 1.00% | $7,503 | 0.38% | #40 |
| 2025 | $427,141,000,000 | 1.10% | $6,769 | 0.36% | #41 |
| 2024 | $401,076,000,000 | 0.50% | $6,435 | 0.36% | #41 |
| 2023 | $381,334,000,000 | 0.80% | $6,193 | 0.36% | #41 |
| 2022 | $407,430,000,000 | 2.10% | $6,694 | 0.40% | #38 |
| 2021 | $419,878,000,000 | 4.90% | $6,971 | 0.43% | #35 |
| 2020 | $337,876,000,000 | -6.20% | $5,660 | 0.39% | #40 |
| 2019 | $389,245,000,000 | 0.30% | $6,610 | 0.44% | #33 |
| 2018 | $405,093,000,000 | 1.60% | $6,980 | 0.46% | #31 |
| 2017 | $381,317,000,000 | 1.20% | $6,665 | 0.46% | #32 |
| 2016 | $323,493,000,000 | 0.70% | $5,732 | 0.42% | #33 |
| 2015 | $346,663,000,000 | 1.30% | $6,227 | 0.46% | #33 |
| 2014 | $381,195,000,000 | 1.40% | $6,951 | 0.47% | #33 |
| 2013 | $400,877,000,000 | 2.50% | $7,429 | 0.51% | #32 |
| 2012 | $434,400,000,000 | 2.40% | $8,177 | 0.57% | #29 |
| 2011 | $458,708,000,000 | 3.20% | $8,773 | 0.61% | #29 |
| 2010 | $417,315,000,000 | 3.00% | $8,102 | 0.62% | #29 |
| 2009 | $331,184,000,000 | -1.50% | $6,522 | 0.54% | #30 |
| 2008 | $316,491,000,000 | 3.20% | $6,321 | 0.49% | #32 |
| 2007 | $332,650,000,000 | 5.40% | $6,737 | 0.56% | #29 |
| 2006 | $304,055,000,000 | 5.60% | $6,251 | 0.58% | #29 |
| 2005 | $288,749,000,000 | 5.30% | $6,008 | 0.60% | #27 |
| 2004 | $256,188,000,000 | 4.60% | $5,393 | 0.58% | #27 |
| 2003 | $197,017,000,000 | 2.90% | $4,191 | 0.50% | #28 |
| 2002 | $129,385,000,000 | 3.70% | $2,778 | 0.37% | #35 |
| 2001 | $135,527,000,000 | 2.70% | $2,964 | 0.40% | #31 |
| 2000 | $151,855,000,000 | 4.20% | $3,382 | 0.44% | #31 |
| 1999 | $151,426,000,000 | 2.40% | $3,424 | 0.46% | #31 |
| 1998 | $152,885,000,000 | 0.50% | $3,508 | 0.48% | #30 |
| 1997 | $169,004,000,000 | 2.60% | $3,938 | 0.52% | #29 |
| 1996 | $163,340,000,000 | 4.30% | $3,870 | 0.50% | #29 |
| 1995 | $171,736,000,000 | 3.10% | $4,145 | 0.55% | #27 |
| 1994 | $153,569,000,000 | 3.20% | $3,786 | 0.54% | #26 |
| 1993 | $147,236,000,000 | 1.20% | $3,716 | 0.56% | #25 |
| 1992 | $146,970,000,000 | -2.10% | $3,803 | 0.58% | #25 |
| 1991 | $135,227,000,000 | -1.00% | $3,588 | 0.55% | #27 |
| 1990 | $126,027,000,000 | -0.30% | $3,426 | 0.55% | #27 |
| 1989 | $108,070,000,000 | 2.40% | $3,004 | 0.53% | #27 |
| 1988 | $104,010,000,000 | 4.20% | $2,955 | 0.54% | #27 |
| 1987 | $96,533,000,000 | 2.10% | $2,801 | 0.56% | #25 |
| 1986 | $73,399,000,000 | 0.00% | $2,176 | 0.49% | #30 |
| 1985 | $64,481,000,000 | -1.20% | $1,955 | 0.51% | #28 |
| 1984 | $84,838,000,000 | 5.10% | $2,634 | 0.70% | #22 |
| 1983 | $96,205,000,000 | -1.80% | $3,063 | 0.82% | #21 |
| 1982 | $85,897,000,000 | -0.40% | $2,806 | 0.75% | #23 |
| 1981 | $93,150,000,000 | 5.40% | $3,123 | 0.80% | #23 |
| 1980 | $89,412,000,000 | 6.60% | $3,075 | 0.79% | #23 |
South Africa GDP Projections (IMF)
i| Year | GDP Nominal (Current USD) | GDP Growth Rate (%) | GDP Per Capita (USD) | World Share (%) | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $494,409,000,000 | 1.30% | $7,624 | 0.38% | #40 |
| 2028 | $513,063,000,000 | 1.50% | $7,804 | 0.37% | #40 |
| 2029 | $533,314,000,000 | 1.70% | $8,002 | 0.37% | #41 |
| 2030 | $555,264,000,000 | 1.80% | $8,218 | 0.37% | #41 |
| 2031 | $577,966,000,000 | 1.80% | $8,438 | 0.37% | #41 |
South Africa Economy Overview
South Africa has a diversified upper-middle-income economy driven by services, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The services sector contributes the largest share of GDP through finance, insurance, telecommunications, transportation, retail, and professional services. Mining remains one of the country's most important industries, with significant production of platinum, gold, diamonds, coal, chromium, and manganese.
Manufacturing is another key pillar of the economy, particularly in automotive production, chemicals, food processing, steel, and machinery. The government continues to invest in renewable energy, transportation infrastructure, digital technologies, and industrial development to improve productivity, attract investment, and strengthen long-term economic growth.
South Africa GDP Outlook
South Africa's economic outlook remains moderately positive, supported by ongoing infrastructure investment, stronger mining exports, improving energy capacity, and continued expansion of financial and service industries. Economic growth is expected to benefit from reforms aimed at increasing private investment, modernizing infrastructure, and improving electricity supply. While global commodity prices and domestic structural challenges may influence short-term performance, South Africa remains one of Africa's most important and diversified economies.