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South Africa GDP per capita by year, 1990 to 2025

South Africa: $6,598 in 2025. Gdp per capita peaked at $8,646 in 2011 in this 1990–2025 series.

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What the data shows

  • South Africa: $3,093 in 1990, $6,598 in 2025 (2.1× higher). It peaked at $8,646 in 2011.
  • Guatemala: $848 in 1990, $6,598 in 2025 (7.8× higher).
  • Equatorial Guinea: $236 in 1990, $6,615 in 2025 (28× higher). It peaked at $18,211 in 2008.
  • Turkmenistan: $848 in 1990, $6,540 in 2025 (7.7× higher). It peaked at $7,164 in 2014.

About this chart

South Africa's GDP per capita stood at $6,598 in 2025, below the displayed high of $8,646 in 2011. The steepest annual decline in the displayed values was $953 per person in 2020. The displayed annual series runs from 1990 through 2025; its lowest value was $2,688 in 2002. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was $6,267.

GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. In 2025, the comparison lines show Guatemala ($6,598), Equatorial Guinea ($6,615) and Turkmenistan ($6,540). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD), current US$ per person. Retrieved November 5, 2026. GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

South Africa: GDP per capita, current US$ per person, 1990 to 2025; three nearest peers, 1990–2025
Date🇿🇦 South Africa🇬🇹 Guatemala🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
1990$3,093$848$236$848
1991$3,243$1,014$225$832
1992$3,462$1,096$264$811
1993$3,400$1,166$257$788
1994$3,489$1,293$183$622
1995$3,856$1,421$248$592
1996$3,618$1,481$392$558
1997$3,700$1,638$717$565
1998$3,310$1,741$578$591
1999$3,242$1,604$931$546
2000$3,218$1,649$1,487$634
2001$2,847$1,538$1,949$756
2002$2,688$1,669$2,264$936
2003$4,062$1,723$2,931$1,229
2004$5,221$1,841$4,901$1,379
2005$5,837$2,046$8,674$1,604
2006$6,077$2,225$10,185$1,997
2007$6,592$2,459$12,617$2,415
2008$6,185$2,763$18,211$3,606
2009$6,375$2,612$13,233$3,708
2010$7,973$2,805$13,720$4,059
2011$8,646$3,169$17,198$5,144
2012$8,077$3,287$17,309$6,054
2013$7,332$3,444$16,304$6,600
2014$6,857$3,689$15,549$7,164
2015$6,112$3,894$9,069$5,759
2016$5,651$4,060$7,453$5,238
2017$6,618$4,325$7,809$5,126
2018$6,914$4,353$8,102$3,912
2019$6,534$4,512$6,804$4,365
2020$5,581$4,478$5,764$3,935
2021$6,829$4,913$6,946$3,713
2022$6,534$5,357$7,589$5,198
2023$6,034$5,754$6,788$5,298
2024$6,267$6,151$7,004$5,904
2025$6,598$6,598$6,615$6,540

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Frequently asked questions

What is South Africa's GDP per capita?

South Africa's GDP per capita was $6,598 in 2025, in current US dollars. This is output per resident, not an estimate of typical earnings.

When was South Africa's GDP per capita highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was $8,646 in 2011. This comparison covers 1990 through 2025; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with South Africa?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2025 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD), current US$ per person. Retrieved November 5, 2026. GDP per capita is domestic output divided by population, in current US dollars. It is neither a typical salary nor household income; inflation and exchange rates affect comparisons over time. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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