Current account balance as a proportion of GDP in South Africa
South Africa: Current account balance as a proportion of GDP was -0.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Current account balance as a proportion of GDP in South Africa, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
South Africa recorded -0.6% for current account balance as a proportion of gdp in 2024.
The figure is up 41.8% on the previous year and up 86.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, current account balance as a proportion of gdp in South Africa peaked at 3.8% in 2021 and was at its lowest, -5.3%, in 2013.
That places South Africa 94th out of 204 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.
Current account balance as a proportion of GDP in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | -0.1% | — |
| 2001 | 0.3% | -301.5% |
| 2002 | 0.8% | +209.1% |
| 2003 | -0.8% | -200.1% |
| 2004 | -2.5% | +220.4% |
| 2005 | -2.8% | +10.7% |
| 2006 | -4.0% | +44.2% |
| 2007 | -4.9% | +21.5% |
| 2008 | -5.2% | +6.7% |
| 2009 | -2.4% | -54.0% |
| 2010 | -1.3% | -45.5% |
| 2011 | -2.0% | +55.5% |
| 2012 | -4.7% | +131.9% |
| 2013 | -5.3% | +14.0% |
| 2014 | -4.8% | -9.9% |
| 2015 | -4.3% | -10.4% |
| 2016 | -2.6% | -38.9% |
| 2017 | -2.4% | -9.8% |
| 2018 | -3.0% | +26.4% |
| 2019 | -2.6% | -12.7% |
| 2020 | 2.0% | -176.5% |
| 2021 | 3.8% | +88.3% |
| 2022 | -0.3% | -107.9% |
| 2023 | -1.1% | +272.6% |
| 2024 | -0.6% | -41.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | -2.2% | -5.2% | 0.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | -3.3% | -5.3% | -1.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7% | -1.1% | 3.8% | 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)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is current account balance as a proportion of gdp in South Africa?
- Current account balance as a proportion of gdp in South Africa was -0.6% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest current account balance as a proportion of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.8% in 2021.
- What is the lowest current account balance as a proportion of gdp recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -5.3% in 2013.
- How does South Africa rank for current account balance as a proportion of gdp?
- South Africa ranks 94th out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is current account balance as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 86.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Current account balance as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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