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South Africa GDP by year, 1960 to 2025

South Africa's GDP peaked at $458 billion in 2011 and was $427 billion in 2025, 39th in the world, down from 20th in 1980.

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What the data shows

  • South Africa: $9B in 1960, $427B in 2025 (49× higher). It peaked at $458B in 2011.
  • Romania: $38B in 1987, $429B in 2025 (11× higher). Its low point was $25B in 1992.
  • Hong Kong: $1B in 1960, $427B in 2025.
  • Pakistan: $4B in 1960, $407B in 2025.

About this chart

South Africa was the 20th-largest economy in the world in 1980, with GDP of $89 billion. By 2000 it was 29th, and in 2025 it ranked 39th. GDP peaked in 2011 at $458 billion and has not returned there: it stood at $427 billion in 2025, about 7 percent lower. The sharpest falls in the data were 24 percent in 1985, from $85 billion to $65 billion, and 13 percent in 2020, from $389 billion to $338 billion.

South Africa finishes the race in a tight three-way pack. Romania ($428.7 billion) and Hong Kong ($427.3 billion) are barely ahead of its $427.2 billion, while Pakistan ($407 billion) is behind. Romania moved ahead in 2025, and Hong Kong has led since 2024, after South Africa was ahead from 2021 to 2023. Pakistan has stayed behind throughout. Figures are nominal current US dollars, so a weaker rand lowers the line.

The data

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD), GDP in current US$, billions. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

South Africa's GDP, GDP in current US$ billions, 1960 to 2025, 1960–2025
Date🇿🇦 South Africa🇷🇴 Romania🇭🇰 Hong Kong🇵🇰 Pakistan
1960$9B$1B$4B
1961$9B$1B$4B
1962$10B$2B$4B
1963$11B$2B$5B
1964$12B$2B$5B
1965$13B$2B$6B
1966$14B$3B$7B
1967$16B$3B$8B
1968$17B$3B$8B
1969$19B$3B$9B
1970$21B$4B$10B
1971$23B$5B$11B
1972$25B$6B$9B
1973$33B$8B$6B
1974$41B$9B$9B
1975$43B$10B$11B
1976$41B$13B$13B
1977$45B$16B$15B
1978$52B$18B$18B
1979$63B$23B$20B
1980$89B$29B$24B
1981$93B$31B$28B
1982$86B$32B$31B
1983$96B$30B$29B
1984$85B$34B$31B
1985$65B$36B$31B
1986$73B$41B$32B
1987$97B$38B$51B$33B
1988$104B$40B$60B$39B
1989$108B$42B$69B$40B
1990$126B$38B$77B$40B
1991$135B$29B$89B$46B
1992$147B$25B$104B$49B
1993$147B$26B$120B$52B
1994$154B$30B$136B$52B
1995$172B$37B$145B$61B
1996$163B$37B$160B$63B
1997$169B$36B$177B$62B
1998$153B$42B$169B$62B
1999$152B$36B$166B$63B
2000$152B$37B$172B$100B
2001$135B$40B$169B$97B
2002$129B$46B$166B$98B
2003$197B$58B$161B$112B
2004$256B$75B$169B$132B
2005$289B$99B$182B$145B
2006$304B$122B$194B$162B
2007$333B$175B$212B$184B
2008$316B$214B$219B$202B
2009$330B$174B$214B$187B
2010$417B$170B$229B$197B
2011$458B$193B$249B$231B
2012$434B$179B$263B$250B
2013$401B$190B$276B$259B
2014$381B$200B$292B$271B
2015$347B$178B$309B$300B
2016$324B$185B$321B$314B
2017$381B$210B$341B$339B
2018$405B$242B$362B$356B
2019$389B$250B$363B$321B
2020$338B$251B$345B$300B
2021$420B$285B$369B$349B
2022$408B$295B$359B$375B
2023$381B$348B$381B$337B
2024$401B$383B$408B$372B
2025$427B$429B$427B$407B

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Frequently asked questions

What is South Africa's GDP?

South Africa's GDP was about $427 billion in 2025, according to the World Bank, in current US dollars. That ranks 39th in the world, below its 2011 peak of $458 billion.

How has South Africa's world GDP rank changed?

South Africa ranked 20th in 1980, 29th in 2000 and 39th in 2025. Its GDP grew from $89 billion in 1980 to $427 billion in 2025, but faster-growing economies passed it.

Which economies are closest to South Africa's in size?

In 2025 the nearest were Romania at $429 billion, Hong Kong at $427 billion and Pakistan at $407 billion. South Africa sat between Hong Kong and Pakistan, less than $1 billion behind Hong Kong.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD), GDP in current US$, billions. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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