South Africa: GDP per capita, PPP

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Africa

GDP per capita, Purchasing Power Parity

 Latest value 14,284
 Year 2023
 Measure U.S. dollars
 Data availability 1990 - 2023
 Average 12,882
 Min - Max 10,154 - 14,895
 Source The World Bank
The latest value from 2023 is 14284 U.S. dollars, a decline from 14322 U.S. dollars in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 25726 U.S. dollars, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1990 to 2023 is 12882 U.S. dollars. The minimum value, 10154 U.S. dollars, was reached in 1993 while the maximum of 14895 U.S. dollars was recorded in 2013. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Africa - GDP per capita, PPP - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - GDP per capita, PPP - historical chart - 1990-2023




GDP per capita in South Africa and other countries is calculated as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) divided by the population.

We show the GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms, i.e. we calculate the GDP per capita in different countries using U.S. prices. The PPP measure is useful to compare income across countries. It allows us to answer the following question: 'What can the average person in some country buy if they paid U.S. prices?'

Moreover, we use constant prices. Using the prices from only one year allows us to compare GDP per capita over time as the effect of inflation is eliminated. Otherwise, we are not sure if the increase in GDP is due to price increases or to a growth in production.

GDP per capita varies considerably across countries. In advanced economies, it exceeds 35,000 dollars per year. In some very poor countries, it is less than 1000 dollars per year.
Definition: GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP). PPP GDP is gross domestic product converted to international dollars using purchasing power parity rates. An international dollar has the same purchasing power over GDP as the U.S. dollar has in the United States. GDP at purchaser's prices is the sum of gross value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources. Data are in constant 2011 international dollars.

Selected articles from our guide:

What factors determine the exchange rates

International lending and sovereign debt

All articles



 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Economic growth 0.60 2023 percent
 GDP, constant dollars 362.9 2023 billion U.S. dollars
 GDP, current U.S. dollars 377.78 2023 billion U.S. dollars
 GDP per capita, current dollars 6,253.16 2023 U.S. dollars
 GDP per capita, PPP 14,284 2023 U.S. dollars
 GDP per capita, constant dollars 6,006.45 2023 U.S. dollars
 Productivity, relative to the U.S. 31.41 2021 index points
 Economic growth, quarterly 0.34 Q2/2024 percent
 Economic growth Q-on-Q 0.44 Q2/2024 percent
 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 1,820.04 Q2/2024 billion
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