South Africa: growth of 1.1 % in 2025, real GDP +9.7 % since 2020 (IMF). GDP of 427.1 bn$, no. 1 in Africa.
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) · updated on
Economy
+9.7 %
real GDP, 2020 → 2025 (IMF)
- Growth 2025
- +1.1 %
- GDP 2025
- 427.1 bn$
Finances and debt
78.4 %
public debt, % of GDP, 2025 (IMF)
- Fiscal balance
- −5.6 %
- Owed to China
- 1.7 %
Trade
33.8 %
of exports: Gold, diamonds and precious metals, 2024 (CEPII)
- Exports
- 152.2 bn$
- First client
- China · 18.4 %
Society
90.2 %
Access to electricity · 2024 (World Bank)
- Poverty · 2022
- 17.4 %
- Adults with an account · 2024
- 81.1 %
Markets and rating
BB
Fair rating
- JSE
- FTSE/JSE All Share (J203) 114693.44
IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) · World Bank (CC BY 4.0) · CEPII, BACI · rating agencies · Data by MansaAPI
Questions
How much has the economy of South Africa grown since 2020?
South Africa: growth of 1.1 % in 2025, real GDP +9.7 % since 2020 (IMF). GDP of 427.1 bn$, no. 1 in Africa.
What is the GDP per capita of South Africa?
6,769 $ in 2025 at market exchange rates, 16,319 $ in purchasing power parity (IMF).
What is the inflation rate in South Africa?
3.2 % in 2025, average annual change in consumer prices (IMF).
What is the public debt of South Africa?
78.4 % of GDP in 2025, gross debt of the general government (IMF).
Where does South Africa rank in Africa?
Economy no. 1 of 53 in Africa by GDP in current dollars in 2025 (IMF).
What is the credit rating of South Africa?
S&P BB · Moody's Ba2 · Fitch BB: fair rating, speculative (bb), 2 notches below investment grade, no. 4 of 34 in Africa.
Is South Africa business friendly?
South Africa: a business climate better than in most African countries. Above the African median on 4 indicators out of 4.
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Syli Atlas, « South Africa », https://syliatlas.com/en/countries/south-africa. Data: IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026).