Value of imports from China as a share of GDP in South Africa
South Africa: Value of imports from China as a share of GDP was 5.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Value of imports from China as a share of GDP in South Africa, 1998–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (2025); National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, value of imports from china as a share of gdp in South Africa stood at 5.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.6% on the previous year and up 34.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, value of imports from china as a share of gdp in South Africa peaked at 6.1% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 1998.
That places South Africa 60th out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Value of imports from China as a share of GDP in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 0.6% | — |
| 1999 | 0.6% | +8.3% |
| 2000 | 0.7% | +15.3% |
| 2001 | 0.8% | +18.5% |
| 2002 | 1.1% | +34.5% |
| 2003 | 1.2% | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 1.5% | +24.9% |
| 2005 | 1.8% | +22.6% |
| 2006 | 2.4% | +31.4% |
| 2007 | 2.7% | +15.0% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | +22.8% |
| 2009 | 3.7% | +10.5% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | -21.3% |
| 2011 | 3.3% | +11.8% |
| 2012 | 3.6% | +8.9% |
| 2013 | 4.2% | +18.8% |
| 2014 | 4.3% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 4.8% | +11.6% |
| 2016 | 4.4% | -7.1% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 4.5% | +5.9% |
| 2019 | 4.4% | -1.0% |
| 2020 | 4.5% | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | +8.1% |
| 2022 | 5.8% | +20.5% |
| 2023 | 6.1% | +4.6% |
| 2024 | 5.8% | -5.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 1.9% | 0.7% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 2.9% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.4% | 4.5% | 6.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), annual growth rate 6.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1367 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Total reserves minus gold (current US$), per capita 901.96 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$) 4.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 0.1889 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$), per 1,246 current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 2.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current LCU), per 3.38 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is value of imports from china as a share of gdp in South Africa?
- Value of imports from china as a share of gdp in South Africa was 5.8% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (2025); National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest value of imports from china as a share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.1% in 2023.
- What is the lowest value of imports from china as a share of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 1998.
- How does South Africa rank for value of imports from china as a share of gdp?
- South Africa ranks 60th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is value of imports from china as a share of gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (2025); National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Value of imports from China as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Value of goods imported from China, including freight and insurance costs, as a percentage of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).