1. Diverging pathsMalaysia and South Africa

   Malaysia and South Africa: similar GDP per person in 1990, 2.6 times apart in 2025

   MalaysiaSouth Africa

   Output per person a year, in 2021 dollars adjusted for price differences: $12,000 in Malaysia and $10,800 in South Africa in 1990; $35,500 and $13,600 in 2025. Malaysia grew 3-fold; South Africa rose 26%.

   Source: World Bank (WDI, ITU and UNESCO data); UN WPP 2024Open on the chart →

More findings

• South Africa now has more people than Italy
• South Africa: in 2020–2023 net migration was higher than all 12 UN projections assumed
• Life expectancy goals: 4 of 7 came true on time. Russia expected 75 years by 2020 and got 71.6
• Promises to cut public debt in 6 countries: 1 of 7 came true on time. France promised under 60% of GDP, got 91.7%
• GDP growth plans for a deadline year in 5 countries: 2 of 7 came true. Nigeria expected 7% in 2020 and got minus 6.4%
• Jobs promises in 6 countries: from 25% to 259% of the promised number. 1 of 9 came true on time

All findings →