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South Africa Imports (% GDP)

South Africa's imports (% GDP) fell to 29.85% in 2024, down from 32.43% in 2023, according to World Bank. This represents a decrease of 2.58% from the previous year. South Africa has imports (% GDP) lower than the global median (29.85% vs median 45.74%). Compared with the median in Africa, South Africa is lower (29.85% vs regional median 34.70%) and ranks 30th out of 48 countries in Africa.

South Africa's exports (% GDP) fell to 31.85% in 2024, down from 32.75% in 2023.

Yearly Historical Data (1960-2024)

(in %)
Year Imports (% GDP)
2024 29.85%
2023 32.43%
2022 31.41%
2021 24.93%
2020 23.18%
2019 26.7%
2018 26.99%
2017 26.2%
2016 27.71%
2015 29.01%
2014 30.5%
2013 30.5%
2012 28.44%
2011 26.94%
2010 24.62%
2009 24.6%
2008 33.72%
2007 29.17%
2006 27.67%
2005 23.83%
2004 22.89%
2003 21.81%
2002 25.03%
2001 22.81%
2000 21.82%
1999 19.99%
1998 21.52%
1997 20.64%
1996 20.42%
1995 19.44%
1994 17.57%
1993 15.78%
1992 15.37%
1991 15.54%
1990 16.67%
1989 18.99%
1988 20.05%
1987 18.08%
1986 19.4%
1985 20.05%
1984 20.89%
1983 18.49%
1982 23.75%
1981 26.99%
1980 24.64%
1979 22.86%
1978 22.53%
1977 21.93%
1976 24.97%
1975 25.97%
1974 24.64%
1973 19.46%
1972 19.31%
1971 22.02%
1970 21.38%
1969 19.58%
1968 19.33%
1967 21.1%
1966 20.12%
1965 23.22%
1964 22.14%
1963 20.13%
1962 17.89%
1961 18.41%
1960 21.27%
South Africa Imports (% GDP) : Definition
Imports (% GDP) measures the value of goods and services bought from other countries 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
Exports (% GDP) 31.85% 32.75% 2024
FDI Inflows (% GDP) 0.61% 0.9% 2024
Imports ZAR 167.4B ZAR 164.2B Aug'25
Net Trade (Goods & Services, BoP) $8.04B $1.22B 2024
Tariff Rate 7.31% 7.16% 2022
Trade (% GDP) 61.7% 65.18% 2024