How Poor Are South Africans Compared to the Rest of the World?

How poor are South Africans compared to the rest of the world?

South Africans are significantly poorer than the global average, and the gap continues to grow. According to BusinessTech and Investec Wealth & Investment International, the country’s economic stagnation since 2010 has left its people trailing far behind the rest of the world. In 2023, South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), was $15 194. The global average was $22 850. That’s a vast dif…

South Africa’s R5 trillion loss: Investec’s Mazwai calls for urgent 3–5% growth to close global gap

Investec's Mazwai warns South Africa risks permanent decline unless growth accelerates to 3–5% annually - R5 trillion in lost potential shows the cost of delay.

South Africans significantly poorer than the average person in the world

How do South Africans’ incomes compare to the global average?

South Africans earn far less than the global average, and the gap keeps widening. BusinessTech and Investec Wealth & Investment International report that the country’s economic stagnation since 2010 has caused its citizens to fall significantly behind the rest of the world. In 2023, South Africa’s GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), stood at $15 194—while the global average reached $22 850. That’s a substantial difference…

Africa needs $170 billion yearly to close infrastructure gap

The infrastructure financing gap remains a major obstacle to Africa’s sustainable development agenda.

Africa’s Climate Finance Gap: A Roadmap for Green Transition

With only $52.1 billion in climate flows in 2022 compared to $190 billion in annual needs, the Africa Insights 2025 report identifies five strategic sectors and four operational levers to fill this gap. The 10th Africa Insights report, launched in mid-June by Casablanca Finance City (CFC) and Oxford Economics Africa under the title “Catalyzing Africa’s Sustainable Transition,” provides a stark assessment of the continent’s climate financing, rev…