South Africa: Share of World GDP Minus Share of World Population

## What this measures

South Africa's share of world GDP (current U.S. dollars) less its share of world population, in percentage points, for each year both are published (since 1990). Above zero, the country produces a larger share of world output than its share of the world's people; below zero, a smaller one.

## Why it matters

One number for the gap between people and output. Large economies with high output per person sit far above zero; populous lower-income economies sit far below it. The gap narrows as a country catches up.

## How to read it

Points, not percent: a reading of +5 means the GDP share is 5 points above the population share. The ratio of the two shares is output per person relative to the world average; this difference also scales with the country's size, so a small rich country reads close to zero.

## What it does not say

Market exchange rates exaggerate the gap for lower-income countries, where non-traded goods and services are cheap. It says nothing about how income is shared within the country.

## Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; SP.POP.TOTL from UN World Population Prospects), CC BY 4.0; shares calculated by Palanor.