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South Africa Exports (% GDP)

South Africa's exports (% GDP) fell to 31.85% in 2024, down from 32.75% in 2023, according to World Bank. This represents a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year. South Africa has exports (% GDP) lower than the global median (31.85% vs median 37.25%). Compared with the median in Africa, South Africa is higher (31.85% vs regional median 28.30%) and ranks 21st out of 48 countries in Africa.

South Africa's imports (% GDP) fell to 29.85% in 2024, down from 32.43% in 2023.

Yearly Historical Data (1960-2024)

(in %)
Year Exports (% GDP)
2024 31.85%
2023 32.75%
2022 33.37%
2021 31.1%
2020 27.58%
2019 27.2%
2018 27.5%
2017 27.34%
2016 28.16%
2015 27.71%
2014 29%
2013 28.38%
2012 27.14%
2011 27.7%
2010 25.78%
2009 24.98%
2008 32.25%
2007 27.96%
2006 26.1%
2005 23.6%
2004 22.76%
2003 23.92%
2002 28.43%
2001 26.36%
2000 24.4%
1999 22.27%
1998 22.52%
1997 21.66%
1996 21.77%
1995 20.04%
1994 19.55%
1993 19.91%
1992 18.96%
1991 19.34%
1990 21.54%
1989 23.71%
1988 25.8%
1987 26.89%
1986 27.25%
1985 27.9%
1984 22.5%
1983 21.77%
1982 23.39%
1981 25.2%
1980 31.87%
1979 31.24%
1978 28.42%
1977 26.28%
1976 23.91%
1975 23.84%
1974 24.15%
1973 21.69%
1972 21.46%
1971 18.48%
1970 18.4%
1969 20.04%
1968 21.96%
1967 21.4%
1966 21.98%
1965 22.29%
1964 23.81%
1963 24.84%
1962 25.46%
1961 25.34%
1960 25.59%
South Africa Exports (% GDP) : Definition
Exports (% GDP) measures the value of goods and services sold abroad by South Africa compared to its total economic output.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Annual Exports $110.11B $110.61B 2024
Annual Imports $101.24B $107.12B 2024
Balance of Trade ZAR 4B ZAR 19.6B Aug'25
Exports ZAR 171.3B ZAR 183.7B Aug'25
FDI Inflows (% GDP) 0.61% 0.9% 2024
Imports ZAR 167.4B ZAR 164.2B Aug'25
Imports (% GDP) 29.85% 32.43% 2024
Net Trade (Goods & Services, BoP) $8.04B $1.22B 2024
Tariff Rate 7.31% 7.16% 2022
Trade (% GDP) 61.7% 65.18% 2024