Africa · ZAR · South African Reserve Bank

🇿🇦South Africa

South Africa’s $427B economy grew 1.1% in 2025; the IMF projects 1.0% for 2026. Inflation is 4.3% (Jul 2026) against a 7.25% policy rate.

#40 GDP worldwide#1 in AfricaPolicy stance HikingCompare all economies
🇿🇦
$427B

GDP in 2025, current US dollars · #40 of 56 tracked economies

1.1%

Real GDP growth in 2025; IMF projects 1.0% for 2026

4.3%

Consumer-price inflation, year on year, Jul 2026

7.25%

South African Reserve Bank policy rate, +25 bp over 12 months

Unemployment · 2025
32.4%
-0.2 ppvs 2024
Government debt
78.4%
2.4 ppof GDP, vs last year
Current account
-0.5%
Deficit · % of GDP
Population
63.1M
GDP per capita $6.8K
Scorecard

South Africa among 56 tracked economies

Marker = percentile. Right is better where a better direction exists; for population and rates, right is higher.

  • GDP
    $427B#40/56
  • Growth
    1.1%#43/56
  • Per capita
    $6.8K#44/56
  • Inflation
    4.3%#16/56
  • Jobless
    32.4%#1/50
  • Debt/GDP
    78.4%#19/56
  • Budget
    -5.6%#46/56
  • Curr. acct
    -0.5%#34/56
  • Policy rate
    7.25%#6/45
  • Population
    63.1M#21/56
Peers

Growth across Africa

Real GDP growth, 2025

Sources: IMF World Economic Outlook (annual, projections from 2026) · BIS policy rates, CPI & FX (monthly, through Sep 2026) · World Bank WDI (trade, sectors, FDI, urbanisation)