Africa and Asia Lead Global Economic Growth
According to IMF projections, Africa and Asia dominate the list of the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2025. Out of the top economies, 12 are in Africa, and six are in Asia, highlighting these regions as the key drivers of global economic expansion.
Fastest-Growing Economies in 2025
The following table ranks the top 20 fastest-growing economies based on real GDP growth projections for 2025:
| Country | Region | Real GDP Growth (2025, %) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇸 South Sudan | Africa | 27.2 |
| 🇬🇾 Guyana | South America | 14.4 |
| 🇱🇾 Libya | Africa | 13.7 |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | Africa | 9.3 |
| 🇵🇼 Palau | Oceania | 8.5 |
| 🇸🇩 Sudan | Africa | 8.3 |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda | Africa | 7.5 |
| 🇳🇪 Niger | Africa | 7.3 |
| 🇲🇴 Macao SAR | Asia | 7.3 |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | Asia | 7.2 |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolia | Asia | 7.0 |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | Africa | 6.6 |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | Africa | 6.5 |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | Africa | 6.5 |
| 🇷🇼 Rwanda | Africa | 6.5 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Asia | 6.5 |
| 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | Africa | 6.4 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Asia | 6.1 |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Asia | 6.1 |
| 🇩🇯 Djibouti | Africa | 6.0 |
| World Average | — | 3.2 |
The Role of Oil in Economic Growth
Several of the top-performing economies rely heavily on oil exports, making their GDP growth highly sensitive to fluctuations in oil production and prices.
South Sudan (+27.2%)
South Sudan tops the list with a projected GDP growth of 27.2%. However, this growth comes amid extreme challenges. The country’s economy has been unstable due to civil war, poverty, and damaged infrastructure.
- South Sudan is landlocked and depends on pipelines running through Sudan to transport its oil.
- In 2024, a major pipeline rupture severely affected the country’s oil revenues.
- The government is seeking alternative export routes and financial aid from Qatar and the UAE.
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Guyana (+14.4%)
Guyana is South America’s only entry on the list, and its economy has been transformed by offshore oil discoveries in 2015.
- Oil production began in 2019, generating over $1 billion in revenue.
- The government is investing in hospitals, schools, highways, and the country’s first deep-water port.
- Experts predict total oil revenues could reach $157 billion by 2040.
Conclusion
Africa and Asia continue to be the leading regions for economic expansion in 2025, driven by oil production, infrastructure investment, and emerging markets. While oil-dependent nations like South Sudan and Guyana see rapid growth, their long-term sustainability depends on economic diversification and political stability
