South Africa

1980

2026

2030

1980

2026

2030

South Africa Economic Statistics (2026)

GDP per capita (PPP) in 2026: $16,283—a middle income level.

Government debt is rising, currently at 80% of GDP.

GDP per capita (PPP)

$16,283

GDP growth

+1.2%

Inflation rate

3.7%

Unemployment

32.7%

Key terms

GDP: — Gross Domestic Product—the total value of goods and services produced in a country annually.
GDP PPP: — GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity—what money actually buys in each country.
GDP per capita: — GDP divided by population—a measure of average economic output per person.
Inflation rate: — Annual percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services.
Fiscal balance: — Government revenue minus expenditure. Surplus if positive, deficit if negative.
Current account: — Net flow of goods, services, and transfers with the rest of the world.

Total economic output and annual growth rate

Total GDP is $444 billion, with slow growth of 1.2% in 2026.

Average economic output per person

GDP per capita is $6,835 in nominal terms, but $16,283 when adjusted for local purchasing power—indicating lower prices than in the US.

Consumer price inflation and labor market conditions

The economy is experiencing moderate inflation at 3.7% and high unemployment at 32.7%.

Government debt, revenue, and expenditure as percentage of GDP

Government debt is elevated at 80% of GDP. The government spends more than it collects (revenue: 27.5%, expenditure: 33.1% of GDP).

Fiscal balance and current account as percentage of GDP

The country is running a fiscal deficit of 5.6% and a current account deficit of 1.2% of GDP.

South Africa is a middle-income economy with GDP per capita (PPP) of $16k. Unemployment is elevated at 32.7%.