Vietnam overtakes most African countries in GDP per capita after decades of economic growth

Key points

• Vietnam was poorer per person than most African countries in 1990.
• By 2025, it had overtaken most African economies.
• Industrial growth and exports helped drive Vietnam's rise.

Vietnam has moved from having one of the lowest GDP per capita levels compared with African countries in 1990 to outperforming most of them by 2025, highlighting a major shift in economic fortunes over 35 years.

According to the International Monetary Fund's April 2026 World Economic Outlook database, Vietnam's position changed as its economy expanded through manufacturing, foreign investment and exports.

The comparison uses GDP per capita measured in current US dollars, which divides a country's total economic output by its population.

In 1990, Vietnam's GDP per capita was below that of nearly every African country shown on the map. The country was still in the early stages of economic reforms introduced in 1986, known as Đổi Mới, which gradually opened its economy to private businesses, foreign investment and international trade.

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Over the following decades, Vietnam became a major manufacturing centre, producing electronics, clothing, footwear and other goods for international markets.

Companies including Samsung established large production operations in the country, helping expand exports and create jobs.

By 2025, Vietnam's GDP per capita had risen above that of most African economies, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania.

Some African countries remain ahead

Vietnam has not overtaken every African economy.

Countries including South Africa, Botswana, Algeria, Libya, Gabon, Mauritius and Seychelles still had higher GDP per capita than Vietnam in 2025.

The comparison also shows that African countries have followed different economic paths, with some maintaining higher income levels while others have experienced slower growth, economic crises or currency depreciation.

Vietnam's progress reflects decades of industrial expansion and integration into global supply chains. However, GDP per capita does not directly measure household income or living standards, and comparisons in current US dollars are affected by exchange rates and inflation.