Updated · Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026
Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Africa is $479.96 billion as of 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The GDP growth rate in 2026 is 1%. GDP per capita is $7,503.
South Africa GDP Trend
Nominal GDP of South Africa has grown from $89.41 billion in 1980 to $479.96 billion in 2026.
South Africa GDP Growth Rate (%)
This chart shows the year-over-year real GDP growth rate of South Africa. Hover any bar to see the exact value for that year.
Average Growth
2.00%
Best Year
1980 (+6.6%)
Worst Year
2020 (-6.2%)
Years of Contraction
8 of 47
GDP per capita in South Africa rose from $6,769 in 2025 to $7,503 in 2026, an increase of 10.8%.
"South Africa GDP", "South Africa gross domestic product", and "South Africa economy size" all refer to the same nominal GDP figure.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of South Africa
The table below shows nominal and PPP GDP, growth rate, and GDP per capita for South Africa for every year IMF has published data, from 1980 to 2026. Click any column header to sort, or search by year.
South Africa nominal GDP by year
Year
GDP Nominal (Current USD)
GDP Growth
GDP per capita
Pop. Change
2026
$479,964,000,000
1%
$7,503
1.38%
2025
$427,141,000,000
1.1%
$6,769
1.24%
2024
$401,076,000,000
0.5%
$6,435
1.22%
2023
$381,334,000,000
0.8%
$6,193
1.17%
2022
$407,430,000,000
2.1%
$6,694
1.05%
2021
$419,878,000,000
4.9%
$6,971
0.91%
2020
$337,876,000,000
-6.2%
$5,660
1.37%
2019
$389,245,000,000
0.3%
$6,610
1.47%
2018
$405,093,000,000
1.6%
$6,980
1.45%
2017
$381,317,000,000
1.2%
$6,665
1.37%
2016
$323,493,000,000
0.7%
$5,732
1.38%
2015
$346,663,000,000
1.3%
$6,227
1.52%
2014
$381,195,000,000
1.4%
$6,951
1.62%
2013
$400,877,000,000
2.5%
$7,429
1.57%
2012
$434,400,000,000
2.4%
$8,177
1.61%
2011
$458,708,000,000
3.2%
$8,773
1.51%
2010
$417,315,000,000
3%
$8,102
1.43%
2009
$331,184,000,000
-1.5%
$6,522
1.43%
2008
$316,491,000,000
3.2%
$6,321
1.41%
2007
$332,650,000,000
5.4%
$6,737
1.5%
2006
$304,055,000,000
5.6%
$6,251
1.21%
2005
$288,749,000,000
5.3%
$6,008
1.17%
2004
$256,188,000,000
4.6%
$5,393
1.06%
2003
$197,017,000,000
2.9%
$4,191
0.93%
2002
$129,385,000,000
3.7%
$2,778
1.86%
2001
$135,527,000,000
2.7%
$2,964
1.84%
2000
$151,855,000,000
4.2%
$3,382
1.51%
1999
$151,426,000,000
2.4%
$3,424
1.49%
1998
$152,885,000,000
0.5%
$3,508
1.54%
1997
$169,004,000,000
2.6%
$3,938
1.68%
1996
$163,340,000,000
4.3%
$3,870
1.88%
1995
$171,736,000,000
3.1%
$4,145
2.14%
1994
$153,569,000,000
3.2%
$3,786
2.37%
1993
$147,236,000,000
1.2%
$3,716
2.51%
1992
$146,970,000,000
-2.1%
$3,803
2.55%
1991
$135,227,000,000
-1%
$3,588
2.45%
1990
$126,027,000,000
-0.3%
$3,426
2.28%
1989
$108,070,000,000
2.4%
$3,004
2.19%
1988
$104,010,000,000
4.2%
$2,955
2.15%
1987
$96,533,000,000
2.1%
$2,801
2.16%
1986
$73,399,000,000
0%
$2,176
2.27%
1985
$64,481,000,000
-1.2%
$1,955
2.39%
1984
$84,838,000,000
5.1%
$2,634
2.55%
1983
$96,205,000,000
-1.8%
$3,063
2.61%
1982
$85,897,000,000
-0.4%
$2,806
2.61%
1981
$93,150,000,000
5.4%
$3,123
2.58%
1980
$89,412,000,000
6.6%
$3,075
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The nominal GDP of South Africa in 2026 is $479.96 billion, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026). This ranks South Africa 40th in the world by nominal GDP.
What is the GDP growth rate of South Africa?
The GDP growth rate of South Africa in 2026 is 1%, per IMF estimates.
What is the GDP per capita of South Africa?
GDP per capita in South Africa in 2026 is $7,503, per IMF data.
Is the GDP of South Africa expected to grow?
IMF projects the nominal GDP of South Africa to reach $577.97 billion by 2031, up from $479.96 billion in 2026.
Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook (April 2026).
Disclaimer: GDP figures are IMF World Economic Outlook (April 2026) estimates and projections, subject to revision in future WEO releases. This page is for informational purposes only and is not investment or economic advice.