Communications, computer, etc. in South Africa
South Africa: Communications, computer, etc. was 38.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Communications, computer, etc. in South Africa, 1960–2025
Source: Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in % of service exports, BoP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for communications, computer, etc. in South Africa is 38.7%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 1.3% on the previous year and up 69.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, communications, computer, etc. in South Africa peaked at 48.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 6.0%, in 1977.
South Africa ranks 54th of 197 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Communications, computer, etc. in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of service exports, BoP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7.8% | — |
| 1961 | 7.1% | -9.7% |
| 1962 | 8.9% | +25.3% |
| 1963 | 9.3% | +4.6% |
| 1964 | 10.0% | +7.5% |
| 1965 | 10.3% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 8.9% | -13.3% |
| 1967 | 12.1% | +36.5% |
| 1968 | 13.1% | +8.3% |
| 1969 | 11.3% | -13.8% |
| 1970 | 12.4% | +9.3% |
| 1971 | 10.1% | -18.1% |
| 1972 | 10.5% | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 8.6% | -17.9% |
| 1974 | 7.8% | -8.8% |
| 1975 | 7.0% | -11.0% |
| 1976 | 6.6% | -4.8% |
| 1977 | 6.0% | -9.7% |
| 1978 | 6.4% | +7.5% |
| 1979 | 6.5% | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 6.7% | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 6.8% | +1.7% |
| 1982 | 7.1% | +5.2% |
| 1983 | 8.0% | +11.5% |
| 1984 | 8.0% | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 9.3% | +17.0% |
| 1986 | 10.7% | +14.3% |
| 1987 | 9.6% | -9.5% |
| 1988 | 9.2% | -4.6% |
| 1989 | 14.4% | +56.6% |
| 1990 | 14.2% | -1.2% |
| 1991 | 15.0% | +5.4% |
| 1992 | 13.3% | -11.3% |
| 1993 | 12.5% | -6.2% |
| 1994 | 12.9% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | 20.8% | +61.3% |
| 1996 | 19.0% | -8.5% |
| 1997 | 18.1% | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 16.5% | -9.2% |
| 1999 | 15.6% | -5.5% |
| 2000 | 14.4% | -7.2% |
| 2001 | 16.8% | +16.1% |
| 2002 | 14.8% | -11.8% |
| 2003 | 12.5% | -15.3% |
| 2004 | 13.7% | +9.3% |
| 2005 | 13.8% | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 12.9% | -6.5% |
| 2007 | 14.4% | +11.3% |
| 2008 | 16.6% | +15.6% |
| 2009 | 16.8% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 17.1% | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 18.9% | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 19.1% | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 20.4% | +6.7% |
| 2014 | 20.6% | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 22.8% | +10.7% |
| 2016 | 24.5% | +7.4% |
| 2017 | 25.2% | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 26.5% | +5.3% |
| 2019 | 26.2% | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 42.1% | +61.1% |
| 2021 | 48.5% | +15.1% |
| 2022 | 39.7% | -18.0% |
| 2023 | 38.6% | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 39.3% | +1.7% |
| 2025 | 38.7% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 9.9% | 7.1% | 13.1% | 10 |
| 1970s | 8.2% | 6.0% | 12.4% | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.0% | 6.7% | 14.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 15.8% | 12.5% | 20.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 14.7% | 12.5% | 16.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.1% | 17.1% | 26.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.2% | 38.6% | 48.5% | 6 |
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)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 5.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 11.78 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (current LCU) 77,700 current LCU per person (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 3.56 % change on previous year (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 0.5921 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Households and NPISHs Final consumption expenditure (constant 2015) 3,907 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Final consumption expenditure (current US$), annual growth rate 7.63 % change on previous year (2025)
- Final consumption expenditure (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.8472 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is communications, computer, etc. in South Africa?
- Communications, computer, etc. in South Africa was 38.7% in 2025, according to Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest communications, computer, etc. recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 48.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest communications, computer, etc. recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.0% in 1977.
- How does South Africa rank for communications, computer, etc.?
- South Africa ranks 54th out of 197 countries with data for 2025.
- Is communications, computer, etc. rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 69.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook and data files, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Communications, computer, etc. (% of service exports, BoP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Communications, computer, information, and other services cover international telecommunications; computer data; news-related service transactions between residents and nonresidents; construction services; royalties and license fees; miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services; personal, cultural, and recreational services; manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others; and maintenance and repair services and government services not included elsewhere. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of service exports which are services provided by residents to non-residents.