Growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa
South Africa: Growth rate of real gdp per employed person was -0.08 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa is -0.08, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 95.3% on the previous year and up 97.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa peaked at 7.04 in 2021 and was at its lowest, -5.24, in 2023.
That places South Africa 157th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2.24 | — |
| 2001 | 0.76 | -66.1% |
| 2002 | 1.74 | +128.9% |
| 2003 | 1.25 | -28.2% |
| 2004 | 2.67 | +113.6% |
| 2005 | 3.55 | +33.0% |
| 2006 | 3.87 | +9.0% |
| 2007 | 3.82 | -1.3% |
| 2008 | 1.92 | -49.7% |
| 2009 | 1.72 | -10.4% |
| 2010 | 6.33 | +268.0% |
| 2011 | 1.62 | -74.4% |
| 2012 | 0.05 | -96.9% |
| 2013 | -0.8 | -1700.0% |
| 2014 | -0.52 | -35.0% |
| 2015 | -2.95 | +467.3% |
| 2016 | 1.4 | -147.5% |
| 2017 | -0.08 | -105.7% |
| 2018 | -0.52 | +550.0% |
| 2019 | -0.01 | -98.1% |
| 2020 | 1.41 | -14200.0% |
| 2021 | 7.04 | +399.3% |
| 2022 | -3.62 | -151.4% |
| 2023 | -5.24 | +44.8% |
| 2024 | -1.7 | -67.6% |
| 2025 | -0.08 | -95.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's -0.08 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.43. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's -0.08 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.19. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +14200.0% | -0.01 | 1.41 |
| 2013 | -1700.0% | 0.05 | -0.8 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.35 | 0.76 | 3.87 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.452 | -2.95 | 6.33 | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.365 | -5.24 | 7.04 | 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 growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa?
- Growth rate of real gdp per employed person in South Africa was -0.08 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest growth rate of real gdp per employed person recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.04 in 2021.
- What is the lowest growth rate of real gdp per employed person recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -5.24 in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for growth rate of real gdp per employed person?
- South Africa ranks 157th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is growth rate of real gdp per employed person rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 97.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Growth rate of real gdp per employed person. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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