| Source | IMF World Economic Outlook (April - 2026) |
| Date | 29 Aug 2026 |
Brazil is the largest economy in South America, followed by Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru. These five countries drive the South American economy, collectively accounting for nearly 90% of the region's total economic output. Suriname has the smallest economy in South America.
As of 2026, only one South American economy has a GDP exceeding $1 trillion, while seven economies have a GDP of more than $100 billion. Brazil is the only South American economy among the world's ten largest economies, while five South American economies rank within the top 50 globally by GDP.
The nominal GDP of all 12 South American economies is projected to increase in 2026 compared with 2025. Brazil ($356 billion), Colombia ($82 billion), and Chile ($53 billion) are expected to be the largest contributors to the region's overall GDP increase.
In PPP terms, the seven largest economies in South America are the same as in nominal GDP rankings. Three economies are projected to have a GDP above Int. $1 trillion in 2026, while ten economies are expected to exceed Int. $100 billion. Brazil is the only South American economy in the global top 10, while five rank within the world's top 50 by GDP.
Of the 12 South American economies, 11 are projected to record higher GDP (PPP) in 2026 compared with 2025, while one economy is expected to decline. Brazil (Int. $241 billion) will be the largest contributor to the region's GDP increase, followed by Argentina (Int. $97 billion) and Colombia (Int. $63 billion). Bolivia is the only economy projected to experience a decline.
All 12 economies have a higher GDP on a PPP basis than in nominal terms. Guyana has the highest PPP-to-nominal GDP ratio at 2.88, while Uruguay has the lowest ratio at 1.41.
| Code | Country/Economy | GDP (billions of $) | Share (%) | Rank | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | Change | S. America | World | S. America | World | ||
| ARG | Argentina | 681.485 | 688.378 | 6.893 | 13.3 | 0.545 | 2 | 27 |
| BOL | Bolivia | 64.250 | 80.743 | 16.493 | 1.56 | 0.0639 | 9 | 89 |
| BRA | Brazil | 2,279.918 | 2,635.912 | 355.994 | 50.9 | 2.09 | 1 | 10 |
| CHL | Chile | 355.346 | 407.850 | 52.504 | 7.87 | 0.323 | 4 | 44 |
| COL | Colombia | 457.410 | 539.530 | 82.120 | 10.4 | 0.427 | 3 | 33 |
| ECU | Ecuador | 130.321 | 138.194 | 7.873 | 2.67 | 0.109 | 6 | 66 |
| GUY | Guyana | 27.097 | 33.961 | 6.864 | 0.656 | 0.0269 | 11 | 116 |
| PRY | Paraguay | 49.358 | 60.542 | 11.184 | 1.17 | 0.0479 | 10 | 95 |
| PER | Peru | 341.025 | 380.900 | 39.875 | 7.35 | 0.302 | 5 | 46 |
| SUR | Suriname | 4.664 | 5.908 | 1.244 | 0.114 | 0.00468 | 12 | 162 |
| URY | Uruguay | 85.575 | 96.092 | 10.517 | 1.86 | 0.0761 | 8 | 83 |
| VEN | Venezuela, República Bolivariana de | 99.661 | 111.303 | 11.642 | 2.15 | 0.0881 | 7 | 77 |
| South America | 4,576.110 | 5,179.313 | 603.203 | 4.1 | ||||
| Code | Country/Economy | GDP (billions of Int. $) | Share (%) | Rank | PPP/Nom | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | Change | S. America | World | S. America | World | |||
| ARG | Argentina | 1,494.657 | 1,591.288 | 96.631 | 14.9 | 0.714 | 2 | 30 | 2.312 |
| BOL | Bolivia | 162.652 | 161.816 | -0.836 | 1.52 | 0.0726 | 8 | 91 | 2.004 |
| BRA | Brazil | 4,988.607 | 5,229.586 | 240.979 | 49.0 | 2.35 | 1 | 8 | 1.984 |
| CHL | Chile | 714.291 | 752.358 | 38.067 | 7.05 | 0.338 | 4 | 43 | 1.845 |
| COL | Colombia | 1,195.855 | 1,258.920 | 63.065 | 11.8 | 0.565 | 3 | 32 | 2.333 |
| ECU | Ecuador | 306.583 | 323.282 | 16.699 | 3.03 | 0.145 | 6 | 66 | 2.339 |
| GUY | Guyana | 81.811 | 97.761 | 15.950 | 0.916 | 0.0439 | 11 | 107 | 2.879 |
| PRY | Paraguay | 140.730 | 150.841 | 10.111 | 1.41 | 0.0677 | 9 | 94 | 2.492 |
| PER | Peru | 660.974 | 699.083 | 38.109 | 6.55 | 0.314 | 5 | 46 | 1.835 |
| SUR | Suriname | 14.343 | 15.333 | 0.990 | 0.144 | 0.00688 | 12 | 162 | 2.595 |
| URY | Uruguay | 129.729 | 135.847 | 6.118 | 1.27 | 0.0610 | 10 | 97 | 1.414 |
| VEN | Venezuela, República Bolivariana de | 237.679 | 254.372 | 16.693 | 2.38 | 0.114 | 7 | 77 | 2.285 |
| South America | 10,127.911 | 10,670.487 | 542.576 | 4.79 | 2.060 | ||||