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South Africa Trade (% GDP)

South Africa's trade (% GDP) fell to 61.7% in 2024, down from 65.18% in 2023, according to World Bank. This represents a decrease of 3.48% from the previous year. South Africa has trade (% GDP) lower than the global median (61.70% vs median 84.49%). Compared with the median in Africa, South Africa is lower (61.70% vs regional median 62.95%) and ranks 27th out of 48 countries in Africa.

Yearly Historical Data (1960-2024)

(in %)
Year Trade (% GDP)
2024 61.7%
2023 65.18%
2022 64.78%
2021 56.03%
2020 50.76%
2019 53.9%
2018 54.49%
2017 53.54%
2016 55.86%
2015 56.73%
2014 59.5%
2013 58.88%
2012 55.58%
2011 54.64%
2010 50.41%
2009 49.59%
2008 65.97%
2007 57.13%
2006 53.77%
2005 47.43%
2004 45.64%
2003 45.72%
2002 53.47%
2001 49.17%
2000 46.22%
1999 42.26%
1998 44.04%
1997 42.3%
1996 42.2%
1995 39.48%
1994 37.11%
1993 35.7%
1992 34.32%
1991 34.88%
1990 38.21%
1989 42.7%
1988 45.85%
1987 44.97%
1986 46.65%
1985 47.95%
1984 43.39%
1983 40.26%
1982 47.14%
1981 52.19%
1980 56.51%
1979 54.11%
1978 50.95%
1977 48.21%
1976 48.88%
1975 49.81%
1974 48.8%
1973 41.15%
1972 40.77%
1971 40.5%
1970 39.79%
1969 39.62%
1968 41.29%
1967 42.49%
1966 42.09%
1965 45.52%
1964 45.95%
1963 44.98%
1962 43.35%
1961 43.75%
1960 46.86%
South Africa Trade (% GDP) : Definition
Trade (% GDP) measures the sum of exports and imports for South Africa divided by its total economic output, shown as a percentage.
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
Imports (% GDP) 29.85% 32.43% 2024
Net Trade (Goods & Services, BoP) $8.04B $1.22B 2024
Tariff Rate 7.31% 7.16% 2022