GDP per person employed in South Africa
South Africa: GDP per person employed was 48,694 constant 2021 PPP $ in 2025. ▲ Rising
GDP per person employed in South Africa, 1991–2025
Source: Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), note: Estimates are based on employment, population, GDP, and PPP data obtained from International Labour Organization, United Nations Population Division, Eurostat,. Measured in constant 2021 PPP $.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gdp per person employed in South Africa is 48,694 constant 2021 PPP $, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and down 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gdp per person employed in South Africa peaked at 54,304 constant 2021 PPP $ in 2021 and was at its lowest, 35,799 constant 2021 PPP $, in 1993.
South Africa ranks 82nd of 177 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
GDP per person employed in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant 2021 PPP $ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 37,531 constant 2021 PPP $ | — |
| 1992 | 36,246 constant 2021 PPP $ | -3.4% |
| 1993 | 35,799 constant 2021 PPP $ | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 36,188 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 36,807 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 37,813 constant 2021 PPP $ | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 38,239 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 37,768 constant 2021 PPP $ | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 38,007 constant 2021 PPP $ | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 38,858 constant 2021 PPP $ | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 39,152 constant 2021 PPP $ | +0.8% |
| 2002 | 39,834 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 40,332 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 41,409 constant 2021 PPP $ | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 42,877 constant 2021 PPP $ | +3.5% |
| 2006 | 44,537 constant 2021 PPP $ | +3.9% |
| 2007 | 46,240 constant 2021 PPP $ | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 47,128 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 47,937 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 50,971 constant 2021 PPP $ | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 51,799 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 51,827 constant 2021 PPP $ | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 51,415 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 51,148 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 49,640 constant 2021 PPP $ | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 50,336 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 50,295 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 50,034 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 50,027 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 50,732 constant 2021 PPP $ | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 54,304 constant 2021 PPP $ | +7.0% |
| 2022 | 52,340 constant 2021 PPP $ | -3.6% |
| 2023 | 49,596 constant 2021 PPP $ | -5.2% |
| 2024 | 48,752 constant 2021 PPP $ | -1.7% |
| 2025 | 48,694 constant 2021 PPP $ | -0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 37,156 constant 2021 PPP $ | 35,799 constant 2021 PPP $ | 38,239 constant 2021 PPP $ | 9 |
| 2000s | 42,830 constant 2021 PPP $ | 38,858 constant 2021 PPP $ | 47,937 constant 2021 PPP $ | 10 |
| 2010s | 50,749 constant 2021 PPP $ | 49,640 constant 2021 PPP $ | 51,827 constant 2021 PPP $ | 10 |
| 2020s | 50,736 constant 2021 PPP $ | 48,694 constant 2021 PPP $ | 54,304 constant 2021 PPP $ | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More work & labour data for South Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.242 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2122 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8748 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 58,057 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 14,698 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 49,126 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 45,189 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 94,314 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gdp per person employed in South Africa?
- Gdp per person employed in South Africa was 48,694 constant 2021 PPP $ in 2025, according to Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), note: Estimates are based on employment, population, GDP, and PPP data obtained from International Labour Organization, United Nations Population Division, Eurostat,.
- What is the highest gdp per person employed recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 54,304 constant 2021 PPP $ in 2021.
- What is the lowest gdp per person employed recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 35,799 constant 2021 PPP $ in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for gdp per person employed?
- South Africa ranks 82nd out of 177 countries with data for 2025.
- Is gdp per person employed rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), note: Estimates are based on employment, population, GDP, and PPP data obtained from International Labour Organization, United Nations Population Division, Eurostat,, published as part of GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
GDP per person employed is gross domestic product (GDP) divided by total employment in the economy. Purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP is GDP converted to 2021 constant international dollars using PPP rates. An international dollar has the same purchasing power over GDP that a U.S. dollar has in the United States.