South Africa GDP Growth Rate
2.0%▲ +0.5 pt
Mar 2026 · Quarterly
South Africa's real GDP grew 2.03% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from a 1.53% expansion in the prior quarter. This is the highest reading since the series began in 1994 and remains well below the all-time high of 19.18% recorded in the second quarter of 2021.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0% | 1.5% | 19.2%Jun 2021 | -16.8%Jun 2020 | 1994 – 2026 | Quarterly |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | $427.2B | $401.1B | $458.2B | $8.7B | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| Industrial Production | -2.6% | -4.0% | 100.2% | -53.5% | Jun 2026 | Monthly |
About this series
GDP Growth Rate in South Africa averaged 2.3% from 1994 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 19.2% in Jun 2021 and a record low of -16.8% in Jun 2020. The series is reported quarterly with history from 1994.
Real GDP growth measures the annual change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced in South Africa. The indicator is expressed as a percentage and reported quarterly. Data is available from the first quarter of 1994.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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