Economic scale
South Africa is larger in current dollars
South Africa reported GDP of $427.18B in 2025 and Nigeria reported $290.79B in 2025. The larger current-dollar total was about 1.5 times the smaller; exchange rates affect this comparison.
Seven-indicator market comparison
South Africa
vs Nigeria
Two of Africa’s largest economies differ markedly in population, income per person, digital access and trade structure.
At a glance
Latest available observations
Each value keeps its source year because publication schedules differ by country and indicator.
| Indicator | South Africa | Year | Nigeria | Year | Full series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDPcurrent US$ | $427.18B | 2025 | $290.79B | 2025 | Chart |
| GDP per capitacurrent US$ | $6,598 | 2025 | $1,224 | 2025 | Chart |
| GDP growthannual % | 1.11% | 2025 | 4.01% | 2025 | Chart |
| Populationpeople | 64,747,319 | 2025 | 237,527,782 | 2025 | Chart |
| Internet use% of population | 78.36% | 2024 | 41.21% | 2024 | Chart |
| Trade openness% of GDP | 60.91% | 2025 | Not available | Chart | |
| Life expectancy at birthyears | 66.31 | 2024 | 54.64 | 2024 | Chart |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
Data-led reading
Four ways to read the gap
These observations describe the latest series and do not predict future performance.
Income per person
South Africa reports the higher average
GDP per capita was $6,598 for South Africa and $1,224 for Nigeria in their latest observations, a ratio of about 5.4 to one. This is output per person, not median household income.
Digital reach
South Africa has the higher reported internet-use share
Internet use was 78.36% in South Africa and 41.21% in Nigeria, a gap of 37.1 percentage points. National access rates do not measure connection speed, affordability or frequency of use.
Momentum & exposure
Growth and trade answer different questions
Latest real GDP growth was 1.11% for South Africa and 4.01% for Nigeria. Trade equaled 60.91% and Not available of GDP respectively. Always check the reported year before linking short-run momentum to economic openness.