Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in South Africa

South Africa: Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) was 32.39 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
32.39
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
18th
of 45 countries
All-time high
33.54
in 2022
All-time low
22.76
in 2004
Years of data
28
2000–2027

Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in South Africa, 2000–2027

01020302000201320272000: 24.42001: 26.42002: 28.42003: 23.92004: 22.82005: 23.62006: 26.12007: 282008: 32.32009: 252010: 25.82011: 27.72012: 27.12013: 28.42014: 292015: 27.72016: 28.22017: 27.32018: 27.52019: 27.22020: 27.62021: 31.22022: 33.52023: 33.32024: 31.82025: 31.62026: 32.12027: 32.4

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

In 2027, exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in South Africa stood at 32.39.

The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 18.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in South Africa peaked at 33.54 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 22.76, in 2004.

That places South Africa 18th out of 45 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 28 years of available data.

Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)) in South Africa, 2000 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2000 24.4
2001 26.36 +8.0%
2002 28.43 +7.9%
2003 23.92 -15.9%
2004 22.76 -4.8%
2005 23.6 +3.7%
2006 26.1 +10.6%
2007 27.96 +7.1%
2008 32.25 +15.4%
2009 24.98 -22.5%
2010 25.78 +3.2%
2011 27.7 +7.4%
2012 27.14 -2.0%
2013 28.38 +4.6%
2014 29 +2.2%
2015 27.71 -4.4%
2016 28.16 +1.6%
2017 27.34 -2.9%
2018 27.5 +0.6%
2019 27.2 -1.1%
2020 27.58 +1.4%
2021 31.19 +13.1%
2022 33.54 +7.5%
2023 33.25 -0.9%
2024 31.79 -4.4%
2025 31.58 -0.7%
2026 32.13 +1.8%
2027 32.39 +0.8%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 32.39 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 30.37, 1.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 32.39 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 32.52, 100% of the median. (6 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 26.08 22.76 32.25 10
2010s 27.59 25.78 29 10
2020s 31.68 27.58 33.54 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Gambia 34.72 compare
  2. 16 Uganda 34.3 compare
  3. 17 Gabon 32.65 compare
  4. 19 Lesotho 31.68 compare
  5. 20 Chad 31.49 compare
  6. 21 Eritrea 31.49 compare

See the full ranking of 64 places →

More trade data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in South Africa?
Exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) in South Africa was 32.39 in 2027, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 33.54 in 2022.
What is the lowest exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 22.76 in 2004.
How does South Africa rank for exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments)?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 45 countries with data for 2027.
Is exports of goods and services, percent of gdp (balance of payments) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 18.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6)). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://trade.statizoid.com/stat/exports-of-goods-and-services-percent-of-gdp-balance-of-payments-and-international/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Exports of goods and services, Percent of GDP (Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, Sixth Edition (BPM6))
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
64 places, 1,763 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Economic Outlook (REO) provides information on recent economic developments and prospects for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Data for the REO for sub-Saharan Africa are prepared in conjunction with the semi-annual World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercises, spring and fall.