GDP growth in South Africa
In 2025, GDP growth in South Africa was 1.1 %, up from 0.5 % in 2024. This gives South Africa the 8th-highest among BRICS+ countries, the 12th-highest among G20 countries, and the 160th-highest globally (out of 194 economies with available data).
GDP growth
Annual growth (%), adjusted for inflation
South Africa
How South Africa compares
About this indicator
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given year. It is a broad indicator of the size of an economy and its overall level of economic activity. It captures the outcome of economic activity by households, businesses and the government.
Annual GDP growth measures the growth of GDP over one year, expressed as a percentage change. It reflects the extent to which an economy has expanded or contracted over the year.
The real growth rates are calculated using GDP measured in constant prices, meaning that they are adjusted for inflation.
Annual GDP growth measures the growth of GDP over one year, expressed as a percentage change. It reflects the extent to which an economy has expanded or contracted over the year.
The real growth rates are calculated using GDP measured in constant prices, meaning that they are adjusted for inflation.
Sources and updates
Data sources
The data for this indicator are drawn from:
1. The OECD Economic Outlook.
2. The IMF World Economic Outlook.
OECD data take precedence over IMF data when both are available for a given country.
1. The OECD Economic Outlook.
2. The IMF World Economic Outlook.
OECD data take precedence over IMF data when both are available for a given country.
Last update
This indicator was last updated on Econorama on 18 June 2026 and reflects the latest data available from the underlying sources at that time.
More on South Africa
Economic activity
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Millions, constant international dollars
Rank33rd of 194
GDP growth forecast for the current year
Full-year forecast for 2026, adjusted for inflation
Rank157th of 190
GDP growth forecast for next year
Full-year forecast for 2027, adjusted for inflation
Rank165th of 189
Cumulative growth of GDP
Total growth (%) since 2010, adjusted for inflation
Rank163rd of 190
Investment (% of GDP)
Gross fixed capital formation as a percentage of GDP
Rank154th of 170
Investment growth
Gross fixed capital formation, annual growth (%), adjusted for inflation
Rank134th of 159
Population & Demographics
Health
Public Finance
Government debt (% of GDP)
Gross debt of the general government
Rank45th of 190
Public debt per capita
Gross debt of the general government, in current international dollars
Rank83rd of 191
Government budget balance (% of GDP)
Positive values indicate a surplus; negative values indicate a deficit
Rank163rd of 194
Education
Tertiary-educated adults
Share of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education
Rank46th of 47
Youth neither studying nor working
Share of youth aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment or training (NEET rate)
Rank15th of 135
Education spending per student
Primary to tertiary spending per student, in constant international dollars
Rank39th of 43