South Africa has a mixed economy, the third largest in Africa, after Nigeria and Egypt and the 39th largest in the world. It also has a relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita compared to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa US$16,040 at purchasing power parity as of 2023 ranked 95th. 

South Africa is ranked 40th by total Wealth, making it the second wealthiest country in Africa, and in terms of private wealth South Africa has a private wealth of $651 billion making it the wealthiest country in Africa by private wealth followed by Egypt with $307 billion and Nigeria with $228 billion.

Unlike most of the world's poor countries, South Africa does not have a thriving informal economy. Only 15% of South African jobs are in the informal sector, compared with around half in Brazil and India
How large is South Africa's economy?
South Africa has the third largest economy in Africa, and is the second wealthiest country on the continent, and the wealthiest by private wealth ($651 billion), followed by Egypt with $307 billion and Nigeria with $228 billion. South Africa's economy is mainly formal, with only 15% of jobs in the informal sector, compared with 50% in Brazil and India who have a thriving informal economy.